Any tricks or tips you can recommend for removing my truck bed... Thanks

 

from what guys here say, you usually never get all of the bolts out without destroying at least a few. they will chime in on the methods. the real problem is getting new ones, or what would be better is a suitable substitute.

 

Can't you get new bolts from the dealer? I start spraying rust cutter a couple days before I start.

 

yea you can, but with the nut/clip they are about 15.00 @. and that is from the ford vendor here on fte. plus if you dont't know how many will come off, you have to order them and wait. thats why an alternate bolt would be nice.

 

I had a couple break or round out the torx on me one time.I just replaced them with SAE bolts.Noone sees them under the bed mat.

 

Get at least eight guys to lift it off. Much easier that way.

Take the three screws out of the filler neck. Don't forget the hose clamp on the fuel filler hose that clamps it to a little bracket on the bed.

Don't forget the wiring harness disconnects.

Set it upside-down on nice soft grass.

Pop

 

Bed Removal Picture

We just took mine off at the NEST get together this past weekend. Only 2 of the 8 came out. We used a 4 1/2" cutting wheel to cut "X" pattern in the heads of the bolts, then air hammer w/ chisel to get them off. Then sit back and be prepared for what you might find. We live less than 80 miles of each other, don't be suprised if you find a little something like we found on mine. Good luck!

Edit: If you can get at least one out, save it to start the threads on the new clips for the new bed bolts. Those new ones are a bugger to start and seat!

 

I just got mine on recently. I just replaced them with grade 8 nuts and bolts. 5/8 inch diameter by I want to say 4.5 inches? maybe it was 4. I also use washers top and bottom, and I did use nylon locking grade 8 nuts. After buying all the hardware it is actually expensive, but hell grade 8's aren't going to be going anywhere.

Putting it upside down on grass is a good idea, but it takes quite a bit of man power to flip them over and put em bed rail down. Personally the last few I have taken off I park the truck. Then behind the truck I just set up two saw horses. Pick the bed up, walk it off the truck and set it down on the saw horses, works well for me.

Like already stated spray everything down really good with some pb blaster or something. The lights in the back unplug, and remove the filler neck bolts. Also make sure if you have an in bed tool box you take it out first. Last time I left mine in thinking it was no big deal. Man I did not realize how much crap I accumulated inside that bad boy lol.

Dennis

 

Thanks for all the great info, I will let you know how it goes. Hopefully I can post some pics of my truck this weekend. Just cleaned my EBPS tube and replaced the sensor this evening.

 

I think a hoist and just let it hang from the ceiling would be better than all the grass and sawhorse tricks. Or maybe even swing a lift under it and just pick it up, but maybe I am out of line.

 

Spot welding a nut on top of a stubborn bolt works pretty good. It will either come out or break.

 

Four is more than sufficient from my experiences. I don't think you could fit 8 guys around a bed while it's on the truck.

 

That sounds like the winner to me.

 

I do this at work often and its the only way to go
While you have the bed off it would be the perfect time to do the in tank mods

 

I have done it a few times, and U R right something always give and its not the weld if its right.