Patching Gooseneck hitch hole??

[MHowell]

I just bought an '03 2500 HO that has a gooseneck ball in the bed. I dont have a need for it, so I want to take it out and patch the hole/s before I put in a Line-X liner. Has anyone else done this before? Whats the best way to tackle this?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Any decent welding shop should be able to provide you with a suitable patch panel - simply prepare it with a good anti-rust covering on both sides, such as Rustoleum - apply a common sealant around the edges for weatherproofing, and use stainless sheetmetal screws to secure it in place.

 

[Cattletrkr]

If you know what kind of hitch it is, find a shop that installs them and get a cut-out piece. A body shop should be able to easily weld it in place good enough to cover with the liner. Maybe throw a few pieces underneath for support and you're good to go.

 

[MHowell]

If you know what kind of hitch it is, find a shop that installs them and get a cut-out piece. A body shop should be able to easily weld it in place good enough to cover with the liner. Maybe throw a few pieces underneath for support and you're good to go.

Thats and excellent idea... . thanks!

 

[MHowell]

Has anyone done this before?

 

[rbattelle]

Any decent welding shop should be able to provide you with a suitable patch panel - simply prepare it with a good anti-rust covering on both sides, such as Rustoleum - apply a common sealant around the edges for weatherproofing, and use stainless sheetmetal screws to secure it in place.

I personally think this is a poor choice. First, sheet metal screws are, in my opinion, the single worst method of securing two pieces of metal. [That's only my personal opinion, and many people will disagree vehemently]. Second, what about the screw heads? Third, I would expect issues with the screw holes rusting over time (despite the presence of sealant).

If you know what kind of hitch it is, find a shop that installs them and get a cut-out piece. A body shop should be able to easily weld it in place good enough to cover with the liner. Maybe throw a few pieces underneath for support and you're good to go.

I like this one. The primary difficulty, of course, is bridging the kerf. I assume a TIG welder could provide the necessary fill.



Ryan

 

[Tspanos]

I understand you don't have a need but I think you would be better served leaving the hitch installed, assuming the ball is removable leaving a flat bed. You never know when one of poor smucks who haul may be in need.



Biggest factor is that this hitch does allow you to maintain the flat bed bottom when not in use. If it doesn't then i can fully understand your desire to remove it and would suggest you follow Cattletrkr's advice.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Let me know the dimensions, I might have a piece laying around here. We install Drop n Lock hitches that leave a cutout piece somewheres around 3" x 5". Hard part would be making sure I send you one from a Dodge.

 

[MAleshire]

Cattletrkr's idea is good. However, I would first talk to the Line-X dealer that you will use to spray the bed for you. They deal with these issues on a regular basis and can give you some ideas, or even offer to take care of the problem for you for a few extra bucks.



Skip

 

[dclassens]

When I got my linex installed, the truck had a goose neck ball in it and my linex dealer got rid of the hole with a piece of flat steel the same gage as the bed without indents. The tacked the steel in with a welder and linex right over the top. Looked great, without any issues!!



Dave

 

[Spooled-up]

although not as common as a long bed, I'd check eBay for a short bed. I have a saved search for that kind of thing and I see new takeoff beds on there all the time. eBay sends me notifications via email every day with new listings for my search. It may take a while, but just what you need may pop up.



If you live in TX or UT, talk to one of the Mega Cab Long Bed manufacturers that take off the short beds and they might give you a good deal on one. I've seen them on eBay for as little as $200 for a brand new bed!

 

[nickleinonen]

I like this one. The primary difficulty, of course, is bridging the kerf. I assume a TIG welder could provide the necessary fill.



Ryan

mig would probably be better to stitch the patch in. can fill a bigger gap over tig