I am restoring the bed on my 66 short stepside. I have taken most of it apart. I wanted to remove the rear cross sill and I have unbolted it. It wouldn't budge and than I realized the rear cross sill is welded to the stake pocket. I could easily cut the weld and since there are 4 bolts very near the weld holding it to the stake pocket. I am thinking it doesnt need to be welded there and I can just bolt it back on after I recondition it. Any thoughts on this?
Here's a pic with the weld circled. The bed is upside down and mostly disassembled in the picture.