Welds in Rear of Bed Spliting? Solution

[Des]

For any of you who have found that the welds that hold the bottom of the bed to the sides are spiltting, there is a simple fix that will stabilize the crack. My '96 was developing a split between the bottom of the bed and the vertical pilliar on each side of the rear bed area. I didn't know it was splitting due to the bedliner that covered the area up. You can make 2 "L" brackets from flat stock steel with a small gusset welded in the corner of the bracket. Each of the piece of flat steel is approximately 7x7x2. The tail lights have to be removed to bolt the bracket in place on each side. Attach a ratchet strap at the bottom of each side of the bed and pull the bottom side rails back into place. Watch were you place your hooks on the strap, because sheet metal bends easily. Do not pull at the top of the bed rails or you will pull the top of the bed together and not the bottom. Once you have the bed pulled back into place, drill holes through the bottom piece of flat steel and through the bottom of the bed. Make sure your hole placement will allow you access to the bolt on the bottom side. I used 1/2" bolts with flat washers and lock washers to distribute the load on the thin sheet metal. The crack has not grown any more and the tailgate fits like it should. Make sure you check how the flat stock fits together in the corner before welding. We had to make some minor modifications on the angle due to the pillar not intersecting the bed at a 90 degree angle.

 

[Extreme1]

How about a picture or two?

 

[Max340]

wondering?

Did you do anything unusual with your truck that would have caused the split? Heavy use etc? or does this appear to be a "normal" event?



And for the guys who will want to do this, Got Pics?

 

[DAWG-1]

The welds at the front of the bed on my '95. I solved the problem, I SOLD IT. They made so many small improvements, its great. Sam

 

[illflem]

Thanks Des, I copied your method for a friend who's bed cracked. He attributed the cracking to tying a load down to the rear hooks with the tail gate down. The load shifting caused the bedsides to bend in, cracking them at the bottom.

 

[Des]

I'll post some pics either tommorrow or later today. I'll have to go up to the office and borrow the digital camera to take a few snap shots. As for the heavy use, after 102K, it has hauled it's fair share of heavy loads. I think the cracks may be due more to the stiff nature of the frame and body. When you put one of these large beasts in a bind (off road use) it is quite amazing how much the frame twists. My dad had an '84 and his bed did the same thing. I've seen a few trucks of that vintage and newer with the same problem. At least the dodge bed breaks at the welds so it can be easily repaired. Fords tend to split the bed at the top front corner on each side. I've seen alot of our fords at work split there. And it is not just a split. The sheet metal actually tears down the side of the bed. I think it is caused by a combination of tying down loads via the top of the bed rail and off road use.



I'll post the pics on Monday.



Des

 

[46mech]

I know this is a common problem for people who set their trucks up to be the "desert pre-runner" style. They take off the tail gate; hence, there's no support at the top of the bedrails to keep them from excessive vibration. Most owners who do this, either fabricate corner braces, or go to the local off-road shop to purchase a set.

 

[Des]

Pics as Promised....

Right Side

 

[Des]

Left Side

 

[Des]

Right side view from rear. If you noticed, I removed the bedliner after the cracks were discovered. I inspected the front section of the bed, but I found no cracks. I hope to catch any future cracks (if any develop) sooner than I caught these. I also found a bunch of crud that had worked its way to the front of the bed under the bed liner (sand, dirt, mulch, etc, etc) It was all wet and no doubt would have caused some rusting over time.



Hope these help.



Des