I don't come to this site all that often but I've run into a problem in putting my 1978 F150 4X4 back together. I'm in need of the 8 bed mounting Bolts and can't seem to find anyplace that has them can anyone help. All info is welcome and thank you.

 

I have had the same problem. I have found them through Ford but they are expensive. LMC and Dennis Carpenter have them for something like $25.00 for the set of eight.

 

They are just a carriage bolt, you can get them at most any hardware store.

 

Everything I have seen has too small of a square on the head.

 

Try Mikes Truck salvage. I got a set of used bolts and nuts from him awhile back, very reasonable. I believe he was, or still is a sponsor of this site. I can't seem the find the # for you.

 

I dont know why everyone insists on using those stupid carrage bolts. Just get some regular bolts, the length you need then you can actually remove the bolts with 2 wrenches. Instead of the carrage bolts spinning in the bed.

 

I'm with Diesel Brad the hex head work just fine.

 

Just need 2 people to remove them.

 

.... or a loooooooooooong breaker bar wedged against the bed!

 

yeah but those get annoying as you are getting towards the end of getting the nut off when they keep slipping and you have to climb back out from under the truck to set it back up again and then hope it doesn't slip/move...

 

Well the round shallow heads of the carriage bolts do alot for letting you slide stuff in and out easier, so depending on what you use your bed for... But ya, face any resistance on that nut and the bolt will just spin out the sheet metal. Anyway though, hardware store. I've found that one way to tell a really great hardware store is how much weird stuff for your truck you can find there.

 

Unless they've changed in the last year or so all LMC's bolts are, are regular carriage bolts. Dennis Carpenters are the correct bolt but the nuts in his set aren't. He uses regular hex nuts and lock washers while the correct nuts are crimped lock nuts.
Here is a picture of the Dennis Carpenter bolt, the lower left in the picture.

 

Its not like you are going to remove the bed yourself, gonna need at least one other person for that

 

When I'm removing bed bolts I am not always removing the bed. Even then - you do NOT need 2 people to get a bed on or off. I've taken quite a few beds off and on by myself! Putting this '87 on my supercab a few weeks ago was the last one I did...

Just a cherry picker, me and 10 minutes or so!

 

[QUOTE=ChaseTruck754;9599311]When I'm removing bed bolts I am not always removing the bed. Even then - you do NOT need 2 people to get a bed on or off. I've taken quite a few beds off and on by myself! Putting this '87 on my supercab a few weeks ago was the last one I did...

Just a cherry picker, me and 10 minutes or so!


you are a better man than I