What are you using in a 97 ford instead of the bed pockets for tie down locations? I don't trust the pockets (that and they are to high to create enough down force to hold machine still). Those anchors that are down low on the bed just don't have my trust for the weight. I was thinking of putting some anchor bolts in the bed like i did on my 95 but i found they pulled on the box and came loose. Was thinking of putting new ones right in the bed supports but have a stupid beadliner in the truck so i cant see if their is a flat spot for them?

 

they should be fine unless heavy rust. 2nd if you load reaches out the tail, then tie off on hitch or step bumber. Remember your load will be most likely to shift forward under braking nad much less likely to slip out the rear under acceleration. For side to side run 2 straps/ ropes, one starting and finishing on the drivers side reaching around the passengers side of the load and other from the passenger side wrapping around the drivers side of the loaded, and apply even tension to both.
Example

\ /
( ) - Load in the center
/ \

 

no rust.. your talking about the ones that look like a boat tie down towards the bottom of the bed right? The only thing that worries me about using them if ya hit a big bump and the hook slacks off enough to slide off. do you know if these will fit? direct bolt on
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F-250-F250-Superduty-Bed-Tie-Down-Hooks-and-bolts-1999-2013-/151318143422?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item233b43a1be&vxp=mtr

 

Not sure if they are a direct fit for a 97. i would tend to thing not as the ad states 1999 - 2013 model. I have an 05 with these and they work great. As for hook sliding off with a large bump, that should never happen as that is why you are tieing it down. Under tention they should not move much period.