Markiii

I have a '94 extended cab xlt. I'd like to install a solid, very solid anchor point at the front of the bed, above or at the top of the box, below the back glass, in the middle. I'll use it to attach a come-a-long or hand winch to pull heavy items up ramps into the bed.
I have the four post holes with regular anchor points, and I've attached a bar across the two front ones to accomplish this purpose but I'm fairly sure they're just secured to sheet metal, so it's not something I want to do again.
I'm thinking of removing the bed to get a look and start my design process there, but if anyone has done this or something similar I'd love to hear about what you did.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

For what you want to do you'd probably want to figure a way to use the 2 front box bolts so you can be attached to the frame. Everything above that is sheet metal, probably going to bend something sooner or later.
Maybe a roll bar with an attachment point would work. Might even look good.

Markiii

I wouldn't much care for the look of that I don't think, but I've got some ideas after getting in there a bit today.
I think spreading the load across a good wide area and using several attachment points it'd be strong enough to make the tailgate the weak point.

94f150-5.0

I used a 1/2" x 2" 6061 aluminum bar across the front with four 1/2" eye bolts. I use it for hauling dirt bikes. It works great, I don't have to worry about bending the front of the bed with bikes. I have used a come along by using a few tie downs from 2 eye bolts.

Markiii

That's pretty nice looking there. Would you feel comfortable attaching your come along to that and pulling up say, a motor on a dolly, or a big heavy fridge, that kind of thing?

94f150-5.0

It shouldn't be a problem as long as the ramp isn't too steep.