SoCalDesertRider wrote: .... when Dodge could just sell it with the long bed from the beginning for what, maybe $400 more than the short bed truck?? What does the conversion cost, $2000 or more?? Not worth it, in my opinion.
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The cost for frame tooling equipment would cost them tens of millions, in addition the wheelbase is probably 200 inches and way too long, would lower GVWR and towing ratings, and their would be manuverability complaints from the getgo.
10's of millions for tooling?? Naaa, it's not neary THAT much!
200" wheelbase? The longbed QuadCab Dodge Ram's wheelbase is 160.5". The shortbed QuadCab's wheelbase is 140.5". The difference between the shortbed and longbed wheelbases is 20". The MegaCab shortbed's wheelbase is 160.3". So, going by that information, a MegaCab longbed's wheelbase would be about 180.3". By comparison, a Ford CrewCab longbed's wheelbase is 172.4". That is only a wheelbase difference of about 8" between a Ford CrewCab and the would-be Dodge MegaCab longbed trucks.
Less GVWR and GCWR from longer wheelbase? Dodge offers the 4500 Chassis-Cab trucks in wheelbases ranging from 144.5" to 204.5" with no change in the trucks' GVWR or GCWR, so we know Dodge can make trucks with various wheelbase lengths without decreasing the maximum weight rating of the truck.
I'll give you the same advice as several others have offered. Modifying your truck would be a really bad move, and likely a nightmare! Selling it and taking the depreciation hit also a bad idea. So that leaves buying a PullRite SuperGlide, having it installed, and forget about it! I've had one 4 years now, never a single "white knuckle" episode, that's with a Jayco 5er and a short bed F250 PSD. Gas station maneuvers, backing into a tight space, u-turns...piece of cake! And it's not a temporary fix. As far as not enough room to put your stuff...I know my RV has plenty of storage, and when not towing, my short bed takes care of whatever I throw back there! Lot cheaper and safer than the options you mentioned! But then I've only been towing 6 past and one current Jayco trailer for 30 years now!
fordsooperdootydieselsmoker wrote: I'll give you the same advice as several others have offered. Modifying your truck would be a really bad move, and likely a nightmare! Selling it and taking the depreciation hit also a bad idea. So that leaves buying a PullRite SuperGlide, having it installed, and forget about it! I've had one 4 years now, never a single "white knuckle" episode, that's with a Jayco 5er and a short bed F250 PSD. Gas station maneuvers, backing into a tight space, u-turns...piece of cake! And it's not a temporary fix. As far as not enough room to put your stuff...I know my RV has plenty of storage, and when not towing, my short bed takes care of whatever I throw back there! Lot cheaper and safer than the options you mentioned! But then I've only been towing 6 past and one current Jayco trailer for 30 years now!
Even if its the same place the dealer takes the truck when their customer special orders the 8' bed and the warranty is not voided?
07 Dodge Mega Cab DRW,6spd auto, Exhaust break, 8'bed conversion (Best mistake I've made)
33' Teton Home Experience 3 slides, its not a trailer its a home
5500 watt generator
and a great Co-piolet
I don't know about the 'salvage' title issue. I imagine stretching the frame would void the factory warranty, unless the builder's company was specificaly authorized by Dodge to perform that modification and keep the warranty intact.
There was a discussion on this exact topic about longbed'ing an MegaCab Dodge here recently. Apparently there are a few companies doing it. I imagine Dodge will get the message soon and come out with a factory longbed MegaCab at some point in the future.
If it were me, I would wait till then and trade in the shortbed truck on a new longbed at that time. Of course if it were me, I would not have purchased the shortbed truck to begin with. I would like to have a truck with a 10-foot bed. I think the next truck I buy will be a chassis-cab with an 84" cab-to-axle length so I can build my own 10-foot work bed for it.
There is a place in Texas somewhere around Austin that does the MC longbed conversions. Benny Boyd Dodge sells the finished products. I think they have sold everyone they've gotten, many the first day they are on the lot.
If I am not mistaken, the price is in the $5000 to $6000 range.
Joezilla
2007 Ford F350 dually PSD 2WD King Ranch
2007 KZ Montego Bay 36 REB-3 38ft 11in. 5th Wheeler
2006 3500 DRW LT3 Silverado MAX n ALLY CC
5" MBRP Exhaust EFI Live /Autometer Ultralite II Pyrometer
Bio-Pro 190 Bio-Diesel Processer Diesel for $.88 gal
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