Can one cut the top of the pce from the water pump so it is easier to get the tailgate off the back of the bed like one would with a Dodge? When cleaning up it is easier if one can take the tail gate off after hauling a load of gravel or man made dirt as the stuff gets caught in the crack between the tailgate and bed. SO if on cut a slot on an angle then one would not have to remove and replace the bolts all of the time.
I won't have this problem soon as I will be hauling this crap in a utility trailer from now on.
I learned another trick from a truck driver with a flatbed about preserving plywood. He takes a can of Red Tremclad and thins it out almost to water then rolls a dozen or so coats of it on the both sides and the edges to get it to go right through the board. He showed me plywood decks that have been on his flatbeds for 12-15 years and still look good. That's what I call getting ones $$$$$'s worth out of the wood. Trucks take a heavy beating from loads and to have them stand up like this is something else.
Ted thanks for the info on the water pump.
Peter