The PO of my '73 F100 had installed some tie-down thingies in the bed floor. I took 'em out and I'm wondering what would be the best way to fill these holes prior to painting. The drilled holes are about 3/8" dia. Don't have a welder. Best I've come up with is a piece of metalic tape on the underneath side and fill with something like JB Weld from the top and grind flat. Any ideas? Thanks

 

No welding . . .

How about screwing on patch squares of sheet steel from the bottom using small (#6) self-drilling, self-tapping screws. Grind off the screw ends flush with the bed surface. Then fill the holes with epoxy (JB Weld) and grind/sand flush. This should be a stable surface for your paint and should handle most rough treatment. Seal up the bottom surface with paint/undercoat.

 

How about a carrige bolt and nut?

 

I like 79superduty's idea better than my own. If it does not need to be invisible, this is easiest way to fill the holes. Carriage bolts have a square shank, so buy enough oversize washers to allow the nut to pull everything up tight.

 

I'm wanting to keep the bed surface smooth. I guess I don't get the bolt/washers/nut treatment. Why use a square bolt in a round hole? And then the washers would be on top with a nut on top of 'em? I have a feeling I'm missing something here. Thanks for you guys' response.

 

Don't know how much you want to spend, but if you use that idea, you could get the inside Rhino Lined and would never know.

 

Carriage bolts have a very low, smooth, rounded head and things in the bed would slide easily over them. There are probably 4 or 6 of them holding your bed in place as it is. The shank is square, just under the head and is usually installed in a square hole to prevent rotation. A small, square file could be used to make the round holes square - not so necessary for installation, but definitely necessary for removal later on. The washers are necessary so that the nut can be installed (ON THE BOTTOM!) to pull the whole works tight. This would leave only a smooth "bump" much like those already there. The only reason I see to use a more complex method would be if it was going to be in high-end shows where it would lose points for any departure from stock.

 

Here's a link to a pic of one.


http://www.quickconveyor.com/products/q136_photo.html

Bob G

 

AHH! The dim bulb in my undersized brain is beginning to glow a little brighter. You guys are the bomb!