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Jrs907's avatar
Jrs907
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013

Camper tie downs- 80s chev/gmc

So I have a 84 Chevy 3/4 ton crewcab, and a 8' hornet cabover. I just got the camper and need to install tie downs on the truck. In the mid 80s, Chevy had the gas tanks on the outside of the frame rails. A torklift brand frame mounted type won't work. The fuel tanks totally block the frame or any access at all. Is the bed mounted happijak style the only option? I'm not a fan, they tore up the bed on my f350 a few years ago. I can't use a belly bar due to driveline clearance issues. Anybody have this issue ???
Truck Campers

8 Replies

  • recycler's avatar
    recycler
    Explorer
    Jun 19, 2013
    Desert1667 wrote:
    Here is better pic of the "Factory" setup, I personally don't care for the drilling of sheet metal. Even though its reinforced on the inside with the bed floor , long term issues may arise.



    Notice the straight down angle of the tie downs, I have never seen this on any setup , Ford , Chevy or Dodge.

    Desert


    you're right about long term issues friends of mine had a chevy that used to be a t/c hauler before they bought it..it had those tie downs on it tore the bed up around the holes plus it rusted around them. ugly old truck baby blue with the white like one pictured.. looks like a franklin camper ad..
  • Desert1667's avatar
    Desert1667
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    Here is better pic of the "Factory" setup, I personally don't care for the drilling of sheet metal. Even though its reinforced on the inside with the bed floor , long term issues may arise.



    Notice the straight down angle of the tie downs, I have never seen this on any setup , Ford , Chevy or Dodge.

    Desert
  • Desert1667's avatar
    Desert1667
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    Desert1667 wrote:
    Here is the kit, Picture shows the factory way of mounting the rear to the bed side, but instruction say to use the bumper. All hardware is included.



    Desert


    Yes, as I mentioned earlier the instructions for THIS kit says to mount as per instructions. It actually is a better angle for the tie downs and with the bumper well supported back to the frame I think its stronger.

    5000 happy towing miles , no problems with movement or shifting.
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    The factory tie downs for those year trucks went through the side of the bed. They had a rubber grommet and chrome tie downs.
  • recycler's avatar
    recycler
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    if you want to aviod the bed mounted tie downs you may want to see about a custom belly bar that will clear the driveline just mount it to the the flanges of the frame or even have the side plates made to line up with the factory holes in the frame and have nuts welded onto the mounting plates and use short bolts to prevent rubbing on the tanks...we used a flange mounted belly bar to mount extra heavy duty running boards on a 1980 chevy 1ton dually 4X4..
  • Desert1667's avatar
    Desert1667
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    Here is the kit, Picture shows the factory way of mounting the rear to the bed side, but instruction say to use the bumper. All hardware is included.



    Desert
  • Desert1667's avatar
    Desert1667
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2013
    They still make a bed tie down kit, comes with all hardware and bumper mounting bolts.

    You will find your truck , like my 83 have VERY heavy duty, well supported rear bumpers so mounting the rear hardware is easy.

    I will try and get the part number for the kit if you are interested.

    I'm sure it was "Happy Jack" that makes it.





    Desert

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