$2 truck bed tie downs - using exhaust clamps as hooks - cheap GENiUS hacks

So this is one of my very truly genius ideas. I've done this a few times and it never lets me down. Stake pockets can be nice for using ratchet straps, but usually you want to tie DOWN to the bed...not UP to the bedsides. I did this first in my GMT400 Z71, and now again with my GMT800 Silverado. The newer silverado already had cargo hooks down by the bed floor, but the 6.5 short bed had nothing in the middle (stake pockets or hooks) so I added four more just in front of and just behind the wheel wells. Then one of the factory hooks broke the weld off the support plate, so I just drilled some new holes and used my old clamp trick. Can't go wrong.
2pk clamps: amzn.to/3FEHRkS
gearheaddezign.com/
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[@ButchNackley]

Folks have been doing this for at least as long as I can remember. I grew up in farm country and everyone had 'self' installed tie down hooks of some sort. Most were home made.
Much easier done now-a-days. Great tip.

[@GEARHEADdezign]

That's pretty cool. I've never seen that before, but one day it just dawned on me. Haha

[@ButchNackley]

@@GEARHEADdezign Thanks great! I suppose the old saying, "Nothing under the sun is new." Always cool to figure something you've never seen before. But I suppose it happens a lot for those who think, like yourself.

[@erscustoms911]

Good idea brotha I will be using it on my gmt 600

[@GEARHEADdezign]

I had to Google what a GMT600 was. Haha. I actually bought some Express mirrors to fit on my Silverado.

[@idlibenglish6789]

Boss hack!

[@peterbarlow8912]

You know Harbor Freight sells 2 pack D ring tie downs @ $3

[@christripoli7020]

💪💪

[@guyh.4553]

How do you deal with the front end of the bed? My 2010 Dakota has the crappiest tiedowns there and I'm not sure how to modify it.

[@GEARHEADdezign]

You can do it the same way. I did a full set on my old gmt400

[@guyh.4553]

@@GEARHEADdezign Thanks! 😊😊😊

[@koriedilts729]

What size of exhaust clamp did you use? I need to do this as well, for the same reason.

[@GEARHEADdezign]

1-1/4

[@SimenSkywalker]

But are they rated for the kind of wheight you are going to tie down?

[@GEARHEADdezign]

I've had one of the factory tie downs break, but not one of mine. 🤷

[@SimenSkywalker]

@@GEARHEADdezign wow. But its hard to tell. Exhaust clamps can be bought pretty much all over the world. Quality varies i guess

[@GEARHEADdezign]

True. But they are probably all stronger than the sheet metal they are bolted to

[@George-kd8of]

Any chance of rust from this ?

[@GEARHEADdezign]

There's always a chance of rust, but I used fluid film liberally to prevent it. Been several years through NY winters without issue.

[@AOMartialArts]

Don't waste your time smashing the bracket flat. Just turn it "backwards" and run your nuts up the backside.
InB4 dirty jokes on the last sentence.

[@GEARHEADdezign]

How you gonna get a socket in there without flattening the bracket? Backside requires preparation 🤣