Need advice on swapping truck box for sled bed style.

[old_poo_rider]

So I was at one of the body shops I do work at today and the guy offered me a 2003 gmc Sierra 2500hd with the 6.0 and 4l80e and under 100k miles. Its a ext cab long box and had a utility box on it instead of a truck box, truck was in a front end collision up front but frame is straight. Needs a front clip basically. Now I can have the truck for $1k with a few new parts.

My thoughts are sell the utility box for 500-800$ bucks and purchase or build a flat bed set up like guy put on top of there truck beds. I can get a front clip for under $600 and I got a guy that can paint awesome for a good price.

Now big question is how do the trucks handle with the sled bed set up. Are you guys running air bags on them? Also does anyone have any pics with a similar set up? Curious to see how it's look with a nice aluminum bed versus putting the bed on top of truck box.

Basically the truck will be used for going on trips. take race sleds to grass drags locally and other odds n ends. Any input is appreciated guys.

 

[Blk88GT]

You will want air bags for sure. The difference is night and day!

 

[bootz1981]

i have an 07 chevy 1ton 4dr long box, i have a sleddeck and you know its there when 2 sleds are on it, i put airbags in it the 2nd time i used the deck and never will i again go without airbags, its completely diff with the bags. if you can $$$$ get the sled bed instead of the sled deck, my buddy has the bed and its just that much better. look at silver lake sled decks, they have nice stuff

 

[old_poo_rider]

What is the difference between a sled bed and a sled deck? I found a aluminum "sled bed" by me for a grand asking price. Looks like it needs a little tlc. Has a Aluminum storage box under The center and has pull out ramps. Wish I could post a pic off my phone. May have to do it from the house computer sometime.

How much does the sled bed or deck stick out past the cab on your truck? No one remotely close to me has a sled bed or deck on there vehicle that I could look at for reference and ideas so I have to ask you guys for help! Appreciate the Info guys!

 

[Blk88GT]

With the deck you'll get some storage under it. The bed, not so much. That's important to me because I HATE traveling with the interior of the truck loaded up like Sanford and Son.

Here are some pics of my truck/deck for reference.

When not used, the deck is even with the cab. It probably sticks out 18-20" or so by looking at the pics.

 

[polarisfornow]

Sled deck and sled bed are sometimes the same thing. Just depends who you are talking to. It seems like north of the border they call them a sled bed while down south we all say sled deck. That said it could mean that the sled bed is an actual pick up box replacement. More like a flatbed used for construction. We have an eagle sled deck on my buddies 06 crewcab duramax and you can definitely tell its back there with 2 sleds on it. Nothing that feels unsafe btw but you know its there.

 

[bootz1981]

for me, a sled deck goes into the box like in the pics, a sled bed is a flat bed that replaces your pickup box, my deck is a toyup , its great, i would recomend it to anybody it sticks out about 10" per side, on a chevy with the mirrors pulled out the mirrors are a little wider still, some decks have sides that slide in and out like on a marathon or silverlack models, mine has a 12" dove tail on it and thats how far it sticks past the tailgate, about as far out as a reciverhitch sticks out