Posted by Clint Dixon [162.158.74.6] on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 21:42:59 :
In Reply to: Flatbed U-bolts posted by Steve in FH [108.162.246.218] on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 14:12:10 :
You may know that the flatbed on my '51 B3PW was built by the original owner when the truck was new. He came up with a unique way of solving the very problem you are talking about. I will try to explain it, and hopefully later this week, I will be able to get a picture of the solution.
He sourced some small channel that cradles the shank of the U-bolts on the open side of the frame. The channel pieces fit into the frame opening with the "legs" pointing out on either side of the U-bolt shank. The pieces were cut about 1/2" longer than needed to fit between the upper and lower legs of the fame rail. Then starting at the "back side" of the channel, he cut away material at both the top and bottom of the channel - just enough to make them fit between the legs of the frame rail - but not all of the way through. This left short nubs at the outer ends of each leg of the channel. Just enough that the whole channel cannot slit further into the opening of the frame rail. They stay tight against the shank of the U-bolts and cannot rotate out of position. even if the U-bolts loosen, the pieces of channel cannot go anywhere without the U-bolts first being removed.
I thought it was an ingenious, simple, and effective solution. I will try to get a picture to illustrate.
Junior
Follow Ups: