GMT400 90's era truck bed anchor points what have you added

[schiker]

What have you done for adding any attachment points for rope, tie downs, or bungee's etc in the bed of your truck?

I have pop up stake pocket square loop from Bullseye I think on the back 2 stake pockets. And a fairly stout rope I run between the front stake pockets (using the through holes in the stake box under the bed rail).

I have been thinking of doing something maybe drilling a hole and putting a couple of eye bolts in the bed corners. But what / how to reinforce it. I thought about buying a piece of truck bed panel from LMC to sandwich my bed and use heavy washers too. Or maybe just a couple inches of flat bar on either side that fits in the "grooves" of the bed????

It doesn't have to hold really heavy weight but I would like it sustantial. I don't really like pulling on the rear of the bed stake pockets especially with the tailgate down. When I have to cinch something big I try and tie off to the bumper or reciever hitch.

 

[Burning oil]

TracRac on mine

 

[88gmctruck]

I have some small "D" rings in the corners of the bed of my 88. Being a stepside, I mounted one side of them through and existing bolt that is connected to the step support on the frame. You can also see my spare tire mount and highlift are also mounted inside the bed.

 

[3500GMC]

Timely thread. I was thinking about what to do here also. I have nothing for tiedowns. ('93) Even stake pockets are covered by the diamond tread caps...

 

[88gmctruck]

Yeah my 99 has the stake pockets covered by the diamond plate rails as well. I plan to cut them out at some point.

 

[schiker]

Tracrac would be nice but what I really want is a cab protector headache rack with functional integral bed rails (not just covers). I like the Backrack safety one with wire across the window version. Haven't seen a Tracrac cab protector I really liked. Will have to go look again. Tracrac does make nice racks. But I kinda like the farm truck / work truck look. I am paranoid some kid will want to unscrew a nice tracrac. Especially those neat little add on pieces.

I looked again at the bed floor ribs and it appears 1-1/2" flat bar will fit nicely in the rib flat. I am thinking of doing that for reinforcement. But still want to try a piece of bed material too. Maybe a bed piece and a big heavy washer.

Has anyone ever layered some ribbed bed flooring? Will it lay flat to one another or will the rounds and fillets of the stamping make it gap. I guess it depends on accuracy of the stamping? Anyone ever bought a piece from LMC and patched a bed was it real close to size? Will it lay flat like a washer?

David that gives me an idea to drill through the back of the bed (I don't have a tool box). That way I can get closer to the corners but not get into the drain hole area. I like the idea of a flat laying D rings too. I actually bought some a good while back thinking I would do something eventually. Just haven't decicded on placement and reinforcement technique yet. Wonder if it will flop and chime like a bell if I hang it vertical. I shouldn't be able to hear it ????? If it does I guess I could put a zip tie, electrical tape, and or a piece of hose on it or something. Home Depot had a eye bolt that the eye could be unscrewed I think I bought some too. Just have to decide on reinforcement and have other projects to worry about.

I hauled something the other day and I thought man I have to get back on this attachment project.

 

[Ed HD]

If I was going to do a headache rack, I'd build my own. That way you have the ultimate control over exactly what you want from it

I like the idea of a flat laying D rings too. I actually bought some a good while back thinking I would do something eventually. Just haven't decicded on placement and reinforcement technique yet. Wonder if it will flop and chime like a bell if I hang it vertical. I shouldn't be able to hear it ?????

Could get some small magnets and glue them down. That would be a neat solution.

 

[schiker]

A magnet that would be a neat trick. Ahhh the power of the forum its a great place for ideas. I sometimes get to thinking about stuff one way too long and can't come up with an idea I like. I don't want to drill into the bed until I am satisfied with my plan but I am getting closer.

 

[88gmctruck]

On the backside of the D-rings that aren't through the step support, I just large fender washers, has worked fine the past few years, even to tie motorcycles in. The highlift mount is a piece of 1/4" flat stock on the inner fender.