I'm not sure this was any easier than drilling, it takes some pretty good squeezing to punch through 16 gauge but I didn't have to clean burrs up afterwards.
Welded on flush:
And back together to make sure:
Yes, I definitely like it!
Next up I have to do some smoothing and shrinking to get the front of the bedsides acceptable, then I can weld on those stake pockets too. Next weekend I'll be picking up the frame and cab, so some things will start to go back together for good!