Eye bolts in cargo bed

[MaddieCycle]

My '86 KC 4x4 has eye bolts in the 4 corners of the bed wall.  How strong are these? Could I tie down a motorcycle using ratchet straps?  In the glove box, I found 2 more eye bolts, don't seem to see where they would go.  Thanks!

[datzenmike]

 

 

After '84 Nissan stopped using external tie down points on their trucks. I don't know what they used on the inside of the box but I doubt they were cheesy eye bolts. Someone may have put them on so.... ? probably they would hold a motorcycle up but depends on how large they are.

[weldingrod]

I have an 84 that has the eyebolts but I am going to take the external tie down cleats off my 83 parts truck and mount them on the 84.

[datzenmike]

I would mount them on the inside of the box?

[MaddieCycle]

Definitely eye bolts, they look factory and are the same paint color as the bed.  They look like M8.    I think I'll bolt or weld beefier D-rings to the sidewalls on the inside.

[millican]

Mine had threaded holes in the corners that I bought M8 thread eye-bolts to put in. They have held through thousands of miles of motorcycle-hauling. I don't think I could get them out now if I wanted to. They're so rusty they're one with the truck.

[petercscherer]

I know Hardbodies 1987-1997 had corner eye-bolts and YES I have hauled a motorcycle in the bed strapped down with them. They're mounting through the double-walled corners and are VERY secure. Obviously, still triangulate and use common sense when tying down a load, but you should be fine!

~Peter

[millican]

I'm replying to a not-so-recent topic to state what we all already know, but the beds on our pickups are very handy and versatile when it comes to tying things down compared to the modern style of pickup beds. Also, unless you have nice paint, the outward turn at the top can open bottles easily when the tailgate is down.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Formed eye bolts are far less strong as the forged eye bolts. I have seen formed eye bolts un-curl before.

 

How do you tell the difference? The pic Mike posted shows a forged eye bolt. There is no split in the circle portion.