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I'm doing a bed assembly right now as well, in the front corners of the bed sides, did you weld, bolt, or rivet these areas?
Thanks
I called early Ford and spoke with them and he said they suggested just using a couple 1/4x20 bolts on each side and some acron head nuts to dress it up a bit. I ended up using a 1/4 x1/2x20 screw so the round head would match the all others in the bed some what. I think i dropped down about 1 1/4 from top and up from bottom. I might end up putting one more in the middle but, like the guy at early Ford said not a lot off stress on the front unless you are planning on hauling firewood!!
i think others have riveted theirs some even used panel adhesive.
I called early Ford and spoke with them and he said they suggested just using a couple 1/4x20 bolts on each side and some acron head nuts to dress it up a bit. I ended up using a 1/4 x1/2x20 screw so the round head would match the all others in the bed some what. I think i dropped down about 1 1/4 from top and up from bottom. I might end up putting one more in the middle but, like the guy at early Ford said not a lot off stress on the front unless you are planning on hauling firewood!!
i think others have riveted theirs some even used panel adhesive.
Thanks...yeah, I was thinking about using four to five 1/4"x3/4" grade 8 bolts in that area, just curious what others were doing. I think my old bed has four to five rivets in that location. Thanks for response
I used two bolts with acorn nuts. I later thought I should have used 3.
I think welded was original.
Thanks Abe yeah, I think I will go back and add one more in the center just for good measure.
Also as a followup to my own question on countersinking the frame to bed bolts. After looking more in package of nuts and bolts that came with the bed kit I noticed there was not a bolt long enough nor were there any of the fancy washers that would go into the bed. So I called the guys Early Ford again and was told NO on their kits there is no bolt that that has to be countersunk in the wood for the bed to frame. Just place the bracket on the frame and bring a bolt up into the bracket and fish a nut into the space and bolt it down. He also said might be easier to tack weld a nut in there first. Would save some time later trying to get the nut into place. I think this is what Schoo was suggesting above So that solved that question!!
Glad you're getting it all figured out! Patients and persistence was my saving grace throughout my build. Make sure you continue to share pictures as you proceed!
alright guys, next question. when i ordered my bed tailgate with the kit the salesman asked me if I wanted the hidden latches. I really hasn't even thought about this and said sure.
Now I'm regretting my decision and want to stick with the chains i think. I'm wondering to avoid ordering a new tailgate and trying to send this one. Could i possibly cut off the tabs off the old tailgate and weld them to the new one? Originally i thought that would be an easy fix but looking at the old one the tab actually looks like it has some sort of support that runs up into the tailgate probably for support. My question is do you think just welding the tabs on the new is sufficient or should i just reorder the tailgate and be done with it?
I think you can. Your not using your truck for hauling heavy loads resting on the open tailgate are you?
If you do, be careful. The placement of the tabs has to be very precise. If they are too close to the end your chain buckle will be too loose and if too far from the end it may be difficult to close the buckle.... buckle is not the right word but you know what I mean.
I think you can. Your not using your truck for hauling heavy loads resting on the open tailgate are you?
If you do, be careful. The placement of the tabs has to be very precise. If they are too close to the end your chain buckle will be too loose and if too far from the end it may be difficult to close the buckle.... buckle is not the right word but you know what I mean.
Yeah that was my biggest concern. You know how we love to sit on an open tailgate. Hoping a weld would be sufficient to handle that load Just not 100% sure
Personally I would change out the tailgate you ordered if you want to keep the chains. I know shipping will bite, but in the end you will be happier knowing you have that added strength. If you decide to keep your tailgate you ordered and weld on the tabs I'm sure someone here on FTE would measure and share the exact measurement of center of hole to center of hole. And yes Abe is correct, it needs to be precise! We are both strong supporters of pure STOCK trucks. LOL
thanks Dave, i honestly had no idea those tabs were that critically spaced. Having not seen how they hook i figured just on each end would suffice!!
Your correct though in that if I don't go ahead and reorder I'll probably always be worried about that weld snapping or bending and yes eating that shipping is gonna suck lol
well one step forward two back. i went ahead and decided to order the correct tailgate and send the other one back. it came in today but having an issue. one side seen to close properly while the drivers side has about 1/4" gap at the top. i took the new tailgate off put the old one back on and it might have a 1/8" gap but not nearly as bad s this one. The bed will close up but the drivers side i have put pressure on the tailgate it is a struggle to get the latch on. in fact it is already trying to scratch the metal on the latch. the tailgate doesn't seem to be warped and i think the bed is still square.
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