I'm planning on replacing the last cross member on my frame closest to the back. The cross member is rivited to the frame and also has extra plates welded on the sides with what appears to have sections of pipe also welded in to support the hinge rod for the dump bed. The welds on those extra plates look a little rough. My intentions are to remove the plates and sections of pipe and weld in new. I'd also like to replace the cross member as well. My question: Can I weld the cross member to the side rails of the frame instead of using rivits? The cross member sits back from the end of the frame about 9". Is there a reason the cross member isn't at the very end of the frame? I was thinking about also putting another cross member at the end to kinda box it in. To help with a visual on how it will look when it's done is there will be a "C" channel welded on the very end and another "C" channel welded in about 9" from the end. Will the dump bed hit the new cross member on the very end when it's raised? If it will hit, then I'll just "cap" the ends of the side rails instead of using a "C" channel.

What do ya think?

Thanks,

~Ron
http://s745.photobucket.com/user/rm...mp;_suid=1381799777706027221702202259296

1953 Chevy series 6400 / Gallery

If you're not bleedin, you're not workin'