The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 2 Ton bed

I just measured and moved the spring hangers and shackle mounts forward in new holes. I trimmed the fishplate shy of the new hanger location. Used 2x4 steel tube for the crossmembers/ bed supports and drilled 5/16" holes in top for the bed strips and â…ž" (I think) in the bottom to allow a socket access to tighten the strip bolts. I drilled ½" holes thru the bed supports and frame and bolted them down via a larger diameter hole in the top to allow the socket to fit.
In the first picture you can see the rust area where the spring mount and overload bracket were and where the new brackets are now. I still need to cut off the back of the frame where it sticks out past the tailgate. The rivits are drilled but there's a bunch of junkpreviously welded on that needs to be cut off before the crossmember can be removed, relocated and reinstalled.