Very useful and practical project. I LIKE IT!!!! Is any frame reinforcement required or is stock strong enough? Just thinking outloud, but with the weight of the crane behind cab, instead of cutting bed, slide it back enough to use as is, even with bed"centered" over tandems,truck would"balance out" and relieve some weight off of a already loaded front axle. It could interfere w/ trailer hitching, but I think it would still work.
You know the thing I like best about this site is I consider us all friends here, even tho we haven't all met in person, we can trade ideas and kick problems around and come up with solutions, and generally no one takes offense. The moderators remind us from time to time to mind our manners, and this is why this site is the best one I haver seen!!
Didn't intend to go off on a different tangent, so I'll give it a rest. BFR, keep us posted of your progress!! Andy.........