Bed removal
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
With that being said, would it be easier to drop the tank or raise the bed for the in tank mods? I will be tackling this very shortly. I am about half full. ( better to think that way with the way diesel prices are right now) 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
Having gone through this twice on my truck (and many many torx bits), I can conclude that it's not necessarily rust that gets the bolts stuck. The tri-lobe locking bolts cut their own threads into the frame clip nuts. I replaced all the bed bolts with the kit from ford the last time I did this.
EXCEPT.....
This time I ran the bolts in and out with anti seize until the threads were worked in. Then reapplied the seize and set the bolts in. I actually think I have a couple that have worked loose, but I'd rather have to tighten them up occasionally than go through what it takes to remove them (since I never seem to have the welder around when I'm taking them out).
EXCEPT.....
This time I ran the bolts in and out with anti seize until the threads were worked in. Then reapplied the seize and set the bolts in. I actually think I have a couple that have worked loose, but I'd rather have to tighten them up occasionally than go through what it takes to remove them (since I never seem to have the welder around when I'm taking them out).
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Pop
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
You are correct, sir. I have a long bed but the last one I pulled was a short bed.
A long bed is do-able with 4 people provided you have stout enough friends though. Done both.
A long bed is do-able with 4 people provided you have stout enough friends though. Done both.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: oriental NC.
[
EXCEPT.....
This time I ran the bolts in and out with anti seize until the threads were worked in. Then reapplied the seize and set the bolts in. I actually think I have a couple that have worked loose, but I'd rather have to tighten them up occasionally than go through what it takes to remove them (since I never seem to have the welder around when I'm taking them out).[/quote]
i agree with chris ive had mine off and sevaral others in the body shop when i installed my new ford kit i did the same thing with antisieze before and after
as far as welding a nut works well in most situations but in this case the clip will brake quick and spin and you cant get to the back side of several of them (behind gas tank) . i had to cut 4 of them last time . when your undernieth mine had two safty cables wrapping the frame and a crossmember to. four guys is enough remember sacrifice your hands up frt by the cab so you dont put a dent going back on! if your just takeing the bed off to work on the tank i would just drop the tank it not to hard just make sure its almost empty! good luck
EXCEPT.....
This time I ran the bolts in and out with anti seize until the threads were worked in. Then reapplied the seize and set the bolts in. I actually think I have a couple that have worked loose, but I'd rather have to tighten them up occasionally than go through what it takes to remove them (since I never seem to have the welder around when I'm taking them out).[/quote]
i agree with chris ive had mine off and sevaral others in the body shop when i installed my new ford kit i did the same thing with antisieze before and after
as far as welding a nut works well in most situations but in this case the clip will brake quick and spin and you cant get to the back side of several of them (behind gas tank) . i had to cut 4 of them last time . when your undernieth mine had two safty cables wrapping the frame and a crossmember to. four guys is enough remember sacrifice your hands up frt by the cab so you dont put a dent going back on! if your just takeing the bed off to work on the tank i would just drop the tank it not to hard just make sure its almost empty! good luck
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,793
Likes: 50
You can do what another membe rdid, which was, i'd say 2-3 weeks ago, with pics, and that is, use telephone pole cables goin across house to house..
...(from the look of the pic), but he used a big-ol tree brach, and winched it up some, then drove /pushed truck away.
...(from the look of the pic), but he used a big-ol tree brach, and winched it up some, then drove /pushed truck away.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
No one at all, Andy! He admitted to pulling a short bed!
By way of explanation, Andy is one of those friends that helped me take off mine to do the Hutch & Harpoon last Fall.
It made it real easy to do!
Pop
By way of explanation, Andy is one of those friends that helped me take off mine to do the Hutch & Harpoon last Fall.
It made it real easy to do!
Pop
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
One person can drop a tank a lot easier than one person can pull the bed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,793
Likes: 50
i dunno, maybe because i can benchpress 500lbs, it seemed not so bad...LOL. With leaving the tank straps in place, and an empty tank, wasnt so bad.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Couldn't get enough folks together at the same time that I had the inclination to work on it until a NorCal work day at Andy's "Man Towne" get-together.
Had lots of willing help there.
Got 'er done!
Pop
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 25
From: Panama City, FL
Well it took me 15 hrs to remove and install and do the mod by myself. I never pulled my bed but i'm sure it wouldnt take half that to pull it and do the mod using a lift.