Tamiya flat bed trailer extended/custom build

[Tooeleflyboy]

I decided to get the Tamiya flat bed trailer but felt it looked to short hooked up to the Grand Hauler. So here is what I have done to add about 6 inches to it. I took the front and rear aluminum bars and added them to the sides. That way it looked stock and matched what was already being used. I got aluminum flat bar from Home Depot and filled in the addition to the rear. Cut the main frame side rails and added some larger L bar in between the cuts I made. This kept the front and rear of the main side rails stock for the predrilled holes to work. I will also add 1 inch aluminum flat bar to the bed so I will have enough of the stock wood strips to fill in what is left over. Hope the photos help to explain.

[Tooeleflyboy]

More pics.

[Tooeleflyboy]

Painted my creation black. Helps hide the modification! LOL

[Tooeleflyboy]

The stock rear end looks goofy and not really for USA trucks in my opinion so here is my attempt to improve that.

[Tooeleflyboy]

This is all made out of aluminum I got at Home Depot. Drilling the holes was awful and you will need a drill press. The bumper came from ebay and the lights from https://www.truescale-rc.com/

[Tooeleflyboy]

This is stock appearance. I used an air eraser on the aluminum or you could say a "micro bead blaster" to get the nice looking satin finish. Then rubbed it down with super fine steel wool.

[Tooeleflyboy]

I used some of the side post from the trailer kit to dress up the forward panel on the trailer. Painted them black.

[Tooeleflyboy]

Also the custom tail light build is mostly held together with epoxy.