Hey thought I'd just get this out there because I'm begging to see a lot of trucks with trashed rear bumper mounts. Here is a solution that only cost about $20 instead of $350 if you go to Ford if you just give it a little TLC.

Go get a piece of 4"x6"x1/4" angle iron. 12" should do. Grind or drill out the old rivets on frame. Cut the angle iron to mach the height of the frame, I think it's like 5". Using the long end of the angle, flush it to the outside of the frame rail and scoot it out to the proper hang off for the rear bumper. Mark the angle using the holes where the rivets were, drill holes into the angle, attach using grade 5 or 8 1/2" bolts. Then with a buddy, take the bumper and mark the holes in the short side of the angle (with it bolted to the frame) and drill those out and mount them using the OE mounting bolts or grade 8 like I did (I'll get to the reasoning behind me using the grade 8's in a bit). After that, paint to keep the steel from rusting and viola, doneskey.

Back when I had access to the statics/materials programs in high school (haven't yet taken staics or materials in college) I ran the numbers on the mounts. I will safely rate the mounts at 10K lbs if you plan on bumper pulling off a aftermarket bumper. Mine are closer to 15k lbs due to some extra gusseting (this is the no welding skills required version). The grade 8's were used because I didn't have a tow package on my truck and I eventually made a rear bumper that was effectively rated to 15K+ lbs that included a reciever and everything. Just to keep peace of mind with myself I traded in my factory grade 5 rear bolts for grade 8's. I can post some pictures when I eventually either A) find them on my computer, or B) actually get home in a few weeks to take new pics. Hope this helps some of y'all.

 

I have a bumper that is smashed in from being rear ended. Do you think if i heat up the mounts with a torch and bend them back if they will be not as strong? Could I still do this mod?

 

You could try to heat them, but in my thought its not worth accidentally burning off the the paint on the bed since the mounts are so close to the painted surfaces of the vehicle. But no, they would not be as strong unless you found some way to go in and gusset them. But that was exactly what was wrong with my mounts, they were caved in from either being rear ended or pulling too heavy of a trailer. The previous owner cut reliefs in them to try and bend them out and I really didn't feel like paying $350 for a new left and right mount from Ford.

 

Here are my mounts many trailers, and about 50K miles after I fabbed them.

 

Would the rear mount solution fix this? The dealership recently put a brand spanking new bumper on on my 04. My old bumper as well looked exactly the same, down on the passenger side and up on the drivers side. Many people have said that my frame is bent which I just don't see how. Any solutions to this possible?