Good info. Keep in mind that the plywood is not my first choice and was stuck in there for the low end of fix. In case a person does not have the material or equipment for other ways.

One piece of angle with rivets, screws or tack welds is my first choice without knowing more. Shrinking/Stretching seems to be the fix of choice for other members. Just not my way. I repeat that the heads may be hidden by the bed. Don't know.

There are probably screw heads and bolt heads that can be seen elsewhere. If this is a show truck, then it would matter.

Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn