ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area utility body

I ordered a Knapheide body for my dually last Thursday. 696D54FJ40 It is the taller body with the flip-tops. I looked around on the web and researched several different brands then called in my area for price and Knapheide was the way to go for me. One thing I did notice and knew I didn't want was the Stahl bodies. The hinges are a single pin down through the door and it pins at the top and bottom. I was driving to a jobsite one day and saw an old body just off the road and stopped looked at it and it was a Stahl, pretty old model with a little rust and went to open one of the front doors and it fell off in my hand. The rod that holds the door on only goes up into the body about 3/8 of an inch. The body was cracked in that location but it did open my eyes to what could happen with this style of hinge. Maybe this is an isolated incident, but I looked at a brand new Stahl body and it had this same style hinge. Just my opinion.

Justin

Justinelect - Which bodies did you research? How much did you pay for your body? I'd rather install the body myself, so I got the quote from a distributor near where my dad lives. My dad can pick up the painted and set up body with a flatbed trailer, and we can install it together in his shop. Unfortunately, the quote seemed real high. I'll call around for prices around me, and see if I can get that guy to come down a bit. If do get a Knapheide, it will be the 796FJ40. I really like the 700 series because it has the 500 style on the curb side of the body. The longer horizontal door on the curb side comes in handy. It's a good place to store fish sticks, flex bits, etc.

Regarding the hinge you are referring too, I think the Reading has the same type too. Is this the style?

I never gave it much thought. It makes sense that the hinge bar not traveling the full length of the door would be weaker. Of course, you'd have to treat the body rather poorly to let it rust out like that.

My dad has a Knapheide on one of his trucks, and the vertical doors have gas shocks instead of springs. I'm not sure if that is a Knapheide option though. I believe the body is on a 1998 or 1999 Ford. I spoke with a distributor and they said Knapheide only offered the springs. Any ideas? I guess I could always call Knapheide tomorrow.

[This message has been edited by royta (edited 09-21-2004).]

Royta,
The bed i purchased was the 696D54FJ40. It is the 600 series with both sides matching. It is the shorter bed to fit on a dually rather than a cab and chassis--cab and chassis is 4" longer. I added a master locking system and had them match the clear coat/ base coat paint on my truck. The price before taxes was $5232.00. I didn't order it with a bumper due to the fact that for an afternoon and a couple hundred bucks I can build the bumper I want as well as a full headache rack--both options from the dealer were going to be around $1500.00. This price included installation. I don't know what the price is for just the bed without install.
As for the picture of the door in your last post that is much more substantial than the Stahl hinge.
I researched Rawson and Koenig, Stahl, Reading, Knapheide, and the Royal bodies. Royal has a plant in Dallas and they looked like a good body, however I wanted to talk to people who have these beds and get their opinion on what they have and I didn't run into anybody in over a year who had one here in my area. I talked with several different people who have utility bodies and it was basically a toss up between the Rawson, Reading and the Knapheide. The deciding factor for me was the price. In my area and these are approximates Rawson--$5500.00, Reading--$5600.00, and Knapheide--$4900. Just a side note the dealer I went through told me he mostly sells Knapheides--he had 12 Knapheides and 1 Rawson on the yard waiting to be installed.

Having had 2 knapheide bodies for over 12 years, I'll take Readings hinge over there piano hinge anyday. The newer Knap. body had Stainless Stell Hinges but they still gummed up. My older Knapheide body had steel piano hinges that rusted tight on doors I didn't use alot. I must admit Maine winters can kill a piece of steel

Justinelect - An EC that I had worked for in the past, currently has a Royal. He said he'd never buy one again. He has had at least two Knapheide bodies in the last eleven years, and he prefers them over the Royal.

As far as a 4" longer body than the 96", there isn't such a thing. The next size is the 108". It is 4" longer between the cab and the axle, and 8" longer between the axle and the rear. I personally like the 96" body the best. Especially when my truck has the extra cab.

*edit - Do you happen to have all of the option numbers that you ordered with the body? I'm also ordering the body sans bumper. I may have mentioned this before, but I can't stand the standard utility body bumpers. Any longer and they could be used as a platform off of the back of a dive boat. I'll make, or have made, my own.

[This message has been edited by royta (edited 09-22-2004).]

Royta you are correct with your measurements. I didn't word my last post very well concerning the four inch difference. It effects where the fender wells are positioned. If I were you I would go to the Knapheide website and look through the options there. I liked the rock guards, however they looked a little too short for my taste--another thing I will do myself. I found for me the body and master lock system were pretty much the only things I wanted to buy from the manufacture--the rest I will take care of later.

Justin

[This message has been edited by Justinelect (edited 09-22-2004).]

I've already scoured the Knapheide site. I put together a list of options and faxed it to several distributors in my area. I went with these options:
77004315 – Stainless Rotary Latch – 700 series requires 7 latches
77000768 – Master Locking System
21104385 – Frame Adapter for 1994 thru 2002 Dodge 56” CA
21105721 – Spring Mounting Kit, Dodge 56” CA 2002 and prior
77000123 – Mud and Stone Guards
77000198 – Fuel Hose Guard for 1994 and Later Dodge
77004851 – Fuel Fill Cutout for Aluminum Cup – 1994 to 2002 Dodge
20048427 – Fuel Fill Aluminum Cup for 1991 to 2002 Dodge
26103515 – Flush Mount Light Kit, Ford Plug
77000156 – Light Hole, High Location
20046900 – Rock Guards
21105366 – Shelf Liner, 10.5” x 20’ roll

I just wanted to get an idea of what you actually received for the money you spent, this way I can compare it to the prices I will be receiving.

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