Should I plate this?
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF5706.jpg

I cut these sections out for the lowering shackles I will be installing. Should I plate the openings or is it not necessary?

Re: Should I plate this?
 

I wouldn't worry about it

Re: Should I plate this?
 

you know... if this will be a daily driver then road grime, dirt, sand, salt, etc will get up in there.. so if you have the tools/materials to do so, it wouldn't be a bad idea to cover those openings. So not so much for structural reasons, but more for rust reasons..

Re: Should I plate this?
 

Those are open ended bed braces, with holes in them to drain any water that gets in. Would be a total waste of time to close those ends up. It would probably actually cause more damage in the long run to close them, it would trap junk in there for sure then.

Re: Should I plate this?
 

When I dropped mine, I left a small amount of rail along the actual bed floor. I then made a couple of tubing pieces to fit into the rail and then bolted them to the rail. That way I still have support in that area of the bed.

Re: Should I plate this?
 

Just sanded- cleaned & sprayed undercoating on mine > no rust after 7 yr,s.

Re: Should I plate this?
 

Leave them open, there are openings between the top of the cross sill and floor ribs anyway. Leaving it open would allow for better drainage.

Re: Should I plate this?
 

That's what I was thinking. Sealing them up could trap some of the junk that could get in there, causing it to rust. Plus, I'm just lazy.