Weld rear cab supports?

[gopokes]

I am in the process of cutting my frame down from long to short and wondered if there is anything wrong with just welding the rear cab supports back on instead of using grade 8 bolts. Most of the other builds I've read have shown to bolt them back up. Just seems a little easier to weld them in, I don't think I will be moving them again any time soon.

[trusty72]

dont see why not, just may be obvious from a resale point of view if they get down and look.

[gopokes]

I don't ever intend on selling my truck anyway. Even if that day did come I wouldn't try to say it was an original shortbed. Thanks for the reply.

[KrazyRay]

You can install it with some quality plug welds where the old rivets used to be and grind it flush to make it look good.

[gopokes]

That's kind of what I had planned, was also thinking some more welds around for extra strength. So you think just the plug welds would be strong enough? I'm not terribly worried about the looks, more the strength.

[KrazyRay]

Good plug welds will be strong enough. That's with proper joint prep and penetration on the welds. You can even add a bead on the top which will be hidden. I think welds around the sides will stick out.