Hello,
I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 with the original bed. I'm looking to buy or make some inserts for the bed rail pockets. I want to built wooden stake body sides for the truck, but need something to transition between the original metal bed pocket and the wooden sides. Any ideas?
I saw something in a website that I could weld on. It was simply a three sided piece of bent metal, like channel iron but thinner. I need something like that, but with a transition to the bed pocket.
Thanks,
Steve

 

you could buy some regular anchors with the loop from any auto store, about $12 a pair. then, just put a big bolt w/ large washer through the loop and right through the wooden stake.

 

Thanks for the reply.
I thought of that too. I was afraid that the stress of the tall stake sides would make the rubber inserts pull out. Either that or the sides would be too "floppy", since there would only be one fastener in the bottom for lateral stability.
Maybe if the tie down ring/bolt were removed and a regular bolt were inserted through the rubber block and a right angle plate on top of the block above the pocket. That way you'd have the anchor in the pocket and a vertical surface large enough for several fasteners through the 2x4.
I've been through the Simpson Strong-Tie, TECO, and Unistrut catalogs for right angle plates, or something else to use.
What do you think?