Bed mounting holes

[usar17]

So I'm in the process of taking my bed off because I have a support member almost completely rusted away. I've been able to remove 4 of the 8 bolts so far. unfortunately I've had 2 start to spin the bolt. I'm gonna cut the heads off and remove the rest now. But what can I do to repair the bed where it may have worn the square peg holes into circles?

 

[SkinnyG]

I welded washers onto the bed, into which I filed the round holes square to match the carriage bolts.

BUT....

I am not into show quality perfection. I merely got the job done.

 

[usar17]

I've seen square holed washers before, but I can't remember if it was a local hardware store. That's about the only idea I could thing of. This truck bed needs some work lol 3 holes and rusted out cross brace

 

[83kid]

Mine werent too bad, but they would spin when i tried undoing the nut.
I had a friend with me so i had him get in the bed and stand on it, that put enough pressure down to get it undone, i just put them back in and figured id do the same thing next time

 

[usar17]

Lol

 

[bucket]

When you cut the heads off, your work is not over yet. The square shoulder doesn't like to fit though the round hole on the lower layer of sheetmetal. So you need to get fierce, or cut the bolts from underneath.

 

[usar17]

I was gonna cut the nuts off also.

Mainly looking for insight on what to do to repair the bed

 

[bucket]

I was gonna cut the nuts off also.

Mainly looking for insight on what to do to repair the bed

You can tighten up new bolts even if the holes are rounded.

If you just want the ability to remove them again later, just put anti-seize on the threads and put a nice notch in the heads of the bolts.

 

[MadOgre]

When you cut the heads off, your work is not over yet. The square shoulder doesn't like to fit though the round hole on the lower layer of sheetmetal. So you need to get fierce, or cut the bolts from underneath.

Yep cut the bolts from underneath! Its far less hassle this way.

I would just use grade 8 bolts with a washer or 2 and have a buddy help you tighten them up