I am ready to install the new fenders to the new box for the 1st time. My question is the holes in the box are round. The fender mounting bolts are carriage bolts. I am looking for the correct way to install the bolts. I believe it is to file the holes. But just wanted to make sure.

Thanks

 

After a lot more searching I did come across a great step by step
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/08.../photo_01.html

 

Thanks, that's a great article. I was wondering about this myself.

 

I hope you're a patient individual. I used a triangular shaped file to do mine and it's really a time consuming process.

 

Maybe you don't need to file the round holes into square holes. I seem to recall that on my new repro bed the holes were round. But, when I tightened the carraige bolt s into place, the corners of the carraige bolt made their own corners as they were tightened. Give it a try and see if your do the same. Jag

 

My experience has been that the spotwelds on the heads don't give up as easily as shown on that article. I ended up just drilling them out from the inside, and using bolts in the hole (the old head makes a nice washer). My bed isn't a show piece, it gets used.

Others have drilled then cut the heads off new bolts (regular hex head bolts), welded the new end to the remaining head, and ground flush.

 

Ross, I thought he was talking about a new after market bed. Jag

 

Oh... never mind!

BTW they do make square files that are tapered, I used that once or twice. Really goes fairly quickly.

 

I thought you could use one of those new square hole drill bits....