[OrrieG]

These trucks were designed with riveted frames so they could flex a little bit. I also heard that because of the nature of the steel welding creates a weak point next to the weld that can crack over time. Don't know it it's true because I have always bolted my supports, etc. to my frame. I have had my frame twisted as much as 8-12" out of vertical alignment corner to corner when driving off road (driver front bumber down 6", passenger rear bumper up 6", bed and cab not parallel). I have popped welds aroung the A pillar and always held my breath waiting for the windshield to let go, but it never did. If the frame would have been welded up something would have been permanently bent or cracked. It all goes back to these truck being designed to run across fields, irrigation ditchs, ford streams and water bars on logging roads, loaded over capacity, etc. Welding and boxing works if are are going to stay on paved streets and roads because it won't be subjected to the torque and twisting.