Any suggestions on modding the bed of a 3/4-ton pickup to protect gear (cabs, SS amps, etc.) from the harsh effects of heavy-duty suspension? (tube amps are treated as live passengers and ride in the backseat :D)

I'm not an expert, but Grandpa's truck rides so much smoother with a heavy load. If your equipment doesn't fit the bill, weigh down the bed so that the springs aren't bouncing you off the road.

SS amps need protection as well. You'll crack a circuit board if you're not careful.

You can also take out one of leafs to soften the ride. Check with your mechanic.

If you're talking about some type of padding, since you'll be dragging the cabs, etc. off the truck, anything you put down will be torn up. Maybe put in a bedliner

Big pieces of foam.

When I'm carrying equipment, everything gets strapped down or in (including my cab riding in passenger seat-it gets rachet strap tied to the seat!). That way nothing is bouncing around. I don't use anything under the equipment, nor does anyone else I know... we just make sure it won't slide around or tip out.

If you're nervous, what about those fatigue mats like the cashiers use at stores? They're made to reduce pressure , so a couple of those under the equipment would help absorb any bumps. And invest in some rachet tie downs-don't bother with rope. Rope stretches.... (oops)..

Hmmm... sandbags. Good call, OtterOnBass. I'm hauling the PA speakers, my SWR cabs (one 2x10 and one 1x15) plus stands, gigbags, etc., so the payload by itself is relatively light. And the fatigue mat idea is good.

So far, I've been using two pcs of OSB with horse blankets on top. The front board has straps attached so I can pull it out onto the tailgate for load/unload (it slides on the truck's bedliner). What I have in mind is a more elegant version of a slide-out, with some padding and chocks or tie-down points, hinged in the middle so that I can unload the first half, then pull the liner out until the first half hangs down ot of my way, then unload the front half. The whole device needs to come out for storage in the barn when not in use. If any of y'all have built or used something like that, or have suggestions for me, I'm all eyes. Thanks.

Just make sure the pack job is tight. Any empty space fill with misc. objects. Don't drive like a retard and try to stay off of dirt/messed up roads. You should be fine.

flight cases.

Thanks, y'all.

When I perfect my flightcase/bandwagon/truckbedtoolbox/sandbag/foampad hybrid, I'll post a pic.

Oh - it just occurred to me that water ballast will be more convenient than sandbags. Let the garden hose and the drainline do the heavy lifting.

I guess we were lucky, but back in the early 70's we used to haul all of our stuff in a band member's grandfather's '68 Ford pickup, right on the bed. No solid state stuff - four fender twins, one Sunn Scepter guitar amp, One Sunn tube bass amp, three big Sunn cabs, a Kustom PA (oh yeah, that was SS). We never had a failure in two years X 3 gigs/week using that old truck...

I guess we were lucky, but back in the early 70's we used to haul all of our stuff in a band member's grandfather's '68 Ford pickup, We never had a failure in two years X 3 gigs/week using that old truck...

We did the same thing. May depend on the quality of the roads.

For the OP, maybe installing softer shocks would do the trick.

For the bed, possibly installing/mounting painted plywood with some type of high density foam attached on the bottom side would do the trick.

check out a product called the bedrug...

I live in Michigan. Great lakes, bad roads. Really bad roads.
The answer, I believe, is a combination of ballast and padding.
Not gonna change the suspension - be cheaper to buy a used minivan.

check out a product called the bedrug...

What's a "BeDrug?