Has this happened to anybody else? I have a '99 F-250 4WD PSD. Owned since new and it jsut turned 90,000 miles. the pick-up box split from top to bottom just behind the cab on the driver's side. I mean all the way to the bottom of the sheet metal. I guess the Headache Rack was too much for the box. Man, is this body sheet metal thin! I may have wrapped Thanksgiving leftover turkey in something heavier!!! So, it now appears that I will have to pull the box off the frame and reinforce the front of the box with thicker plate steel. I want to keep the box as I have two other flatbeds and like a pick-up. Anybody have any ideas of how to prevent this from happening?

 

Do you run with out a tailgate? I have seen them split after long use w/o tailgates due to vibration I guess.

 

I am on my third tailgate and it only latches on one side.

 

You must run on some rough roads. I have noticed cracks from the wieght of my tool box on previous pickups I have owned, but i normally dont catch those until I take the box off normally after I have sold it.

You might try checking with a local shop that builds flatbeds and buy a new takeoff box from them. might be easier in the long run.