The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Completed Journals 1966 Chevy C-10 Short Stepside -- Step by Step

Spend yesterday working on the spare tire rack & mock fitting it on truck. One of the tire mounting studs was broken off when I got the truck. The studs are factory installed in such a way that the mounting rods are welded onto the back side of the studs. Rather than try to disassemble all those welds in order to replace a oem stud that's probably not available anyway, I cut the broken stud off flush with mounting plate, center punched the cut off stud as accurately as I could. Then drilled thru the remaining stud & the mounting rods & welds . Then slid a 7'16 fine thread grade 8 bolt into the hole, bolted on a tire to make sure stud was centered up properly then brazed bolt in place. Seems to have worked out well. Also chased the threads on the other two studs to clean them up.

Also worked on fitting the tire rack & all the supporting brackets, including the one under the bed. Pretty much took all day to sort it all out. I'll leave it all in place till I'm ready to Paint the fenders, tailgate Etc.

Replaced the last piece of the old original worn out suspension bits as well. I'd been waiting for a good used piece to come along & finally found one via Ebay.

Hopefully photos will help explain.