Threaded Rivets in Bed Drain Holes?

[Dallas Maverick]

I'm wanting to do something to my truck and wanted to get some feedback from the group before I go too far...

I want to add extra seating to the truck bed for special events. (i.e., watching fireworks, fishing, parades, etc.) The goal is that the truck is parked, the tailgate it down, and people can sit in the back.

Here is a concept:

My concern is that the 2X member is going to want to twist/flip over. I want to secure the 2X so that you don't flip backwards when you lean back.

The idea right now is to install threaded rivets in the drain holes that were provided.

Imagine this:

installed here:

I know I'll have to drill it out a little bit, but I'm not worried about that.

I am concered that the metal is lightweight and pretty thin. I'm not trying to use it as a tiedown point, so I'm not expecting a lot of tearout force being applied. I could always reinforce it from underneath with some plate steel if needed.

Any input would be great.

Also, just thought I would throw this one out there too:
I've thought about doing this too. Just for fun.

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[boe757]

think you should be ok, just avoid aluminum or lightweight household fasteners. threaded rivets (rivnuts) are available in steel and also stainless use the largest size for the opening. You may need to rent a gun to pull steel fasteners as i doubt the small hand held tool will do the job. If you have trouble locating try the homebuilt aircraft site. also there are regular nut plates but you would have to drill two small additional holes for the fasteners. Good project

 

[pndwind]

Could make a leg or two for the back of your board.

 

[boe757]

think you should be ok, just avoid aluminum or lightweight household fasteners. threaded rivets (rivnuts) are available in steel and also stainless use the largest size for the opening. You may need to rent a gun to pull steel fasteners as i doubt the small hand held tool will do the job. If you have trouble locating try the homebuilt aircraft site. also there are regular nut plates but you would have to drill two small additional holes for the fasteners. Good project

RIVET NUT USA:, good website for size and tool comparison

 

[Barracuda340]

Get longer riv nuts and make flat steel plates for underneath that the riv nuts will go through as well to reinforce the holes otherwise you will get those holes cracking out in a very short period of time. I'd use at minimum 1/6" thick flat steel plate 1.5" wide by 2.5" long

 

[Bob W]

Seems like a lot of work when you could just use a couple of folding chairs

 

[Pastor_Zatx]

As another mentioned, just put some legs on your board. This is the simplest solution and will give greater stability.

 

[kingranchero]

Fun fact, that hole in each wheelhouse is not a drain hole, but was actually provided very specifically to be able to bolt down a 2x* board as you are planning. A weld-nut would've been ideal but ended up not being practical for cost and assembly.

As an alternate to a threaded rivet, you could access the backside of this hole by removing the tire and the wheelhouse liner.

 

[Dallas Maverick]

Fun fact, that hole in each wheelhouse is not a drain hole, but was actually provided very specifically to be able to bolt down a 2x* board as you are planning.

Really? If so, then it confirms that I'm not completely crazy.

Care to elaborate further? I understand my intention for wanting to bolt it down, but what was the design team thinking? Why would they want to bolt the 2x member down?

 

[kingranchero]

Really? If so, then it confirms that I'm not completely crazy.

Care to elaborate further? I understand my intention for wanting to bolt it down, but what was the design team thinking? Why would they want to bolt the 2x member down?

Just to provide more flexibility to the customer for whatever DIY ideas may come up down the road. 2x* board in any of the vertical slots are quite stable, but a horizontal board on the wheelhouse would not be quite as secure.

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