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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...

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.

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.

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