As you may be aware, I have an 01 E2 ( the egg as we affectionately call it). I’m thinking that I would like to have a flat bed in place of the original storage compartment. I’m not looking to haul cinder blocks and bags of cement , just something sporty that will handle light loads. Is there one that will fit onto the existing pucks and handle already there or is this going to be an R&D nightmare?
There was a stock shortbed that i believe bolted up to the existing frame mounts. You loose the fiberglass cargo box.
Nevaccessories.com used to have some aftermarket ones you could order and bolt on
The storage pod was part of the Back rack clip in system featured on the original Gem. The concept was to have some easy swappable accessories that one could have on hand, and change out depending on your needs for the day. There was a golf bag attachment, two designs of a storage box with a lid, and a mini stake bed. The convenience of the clip in system is quickly shadowed by the noise generated by the 3 point rattle system they used.
When marketed to the service industry, they made a version of a flatbed/stakebed that was bolted on and not meant to be removable.
The conversion from the backrack to the Flat bed/Stake bed system is not a simple swap.
The stake bed actually needs support of a frame extension that was welded on and part of the frame at the factory. The upper frame on the original 825 sticks out just long enough to bolt on a the shock/spring assembly.
This does not mean someone with reasonable fab skills couldn’t figure out a way to do it, or better yet, fab up their own flat bed from scratch.
Another solution might be to source out one of the mini stake bed units that were designed to click into your back rack system. They might be difficult to find in your area, and not easily shipped if you find one out of state. Again, a reasonable copy can be made up by someone with some reasonable fab skills and the proper tools.
For inspiration
Mini Stakebed:
Short bed:
Kewl… Thanks for the pics!! If you were looking for one, where would you look?