Frame Boxing? Frame Rivets?

[Larry]

I hope this chassis question belongs here. My 4x4 chassis is mighty soft. When flexed the bed twists with the frame. Its from the rivets holding everything together being loose. I'd like to cut them out one by one and replace them with grade 8 bolts. Any input on this?

Also, up front I would like to box the frame from the front to approximately the a couple inches behind the front spring hangers. I'm afraid that boxing it could actually lead to more problems/cracking/internal rust. So I though I could do small 6" wide plates with dimple dies on them. Any thoughts on this? Or just box under the motor mounts?

[AZKen]

Never heard of rivets coming loose. Not even on much older trucks. Your truck is indeed built to flex. Boxing is for hot rod frames. Don't try to copy what you see on TV. Please advise if you are 100% sure your rivets are loose. They expand into the hole when upset. In order for bolts to be that tight you would have to match drill and the hole size would have to be within thousandths of bolt O.D.. It is very typical when 4 wheeling thru a wash that the bed will twist or cab will twist and look goofy.