rear crossmember

[macibell111]

I have a 53 m and have a bent rear crossmember looks like someone dropped it from a helicopter..I have a new one to replace it ,I see that I have to grind off some rivets and when I replace it I just put in bolts where the rivets were ? is this a sufficient way,since there is no way to rivet it,or do I weld where the rivets were ,without the fuel tank of course...

[vtdeucedriver]

Ive got a truck that had a depot re build at one time and it has a couple of Grade 8 bolts in where rivets once were in the frame. None of them are holding a crossmember but you could probably get away with it. I would try and find a frame shop near you and let them change it and they would put the rivets back.

[RMS]

Don't weld! that's where the frame cracks. use bolts, after removing the rivets you will find that a 7/16th(I think) will be sloppy, it should be drilled out to 1/2in. I have had to replace spring hangers and have not had any problem using bolts.

[macibell111]

I wont be towing anything with it so I think I will go with the grade 8 bolts thanks for the info..jack