Bed Bolts??
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 448
Likes: 31
From: Park City, Utah
I think you're talking about an impact driver. Very handy tool to have.
I'm not looking forward to removing mine as I think they're probably rusted. I don't really want to strip the head and destroy the bolt so my initial plan is to tack weld a good sized nut on top of the bolt. One I get it off I can cut the tacks and then clean up the bolt head.
It sounds pretty easy doesn't it.... In reality it'll be a pain in the butt,
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 4
Haste,
I think you're talking about an impact driver. Very handy tool to have.
I'm not looking forward to removing mine as I think they're probably rusted. I don't really want to strip the head and destroy the bolt so my initial plan is to tack weld a good sized nut on top of the bolt. One I get it off I can cut the tacks and then clean up the bolt head.
It sounds pretty easy doesn't it.... In reality it'll be a pain in the butt,
I think you're talking about an impact driver. Very handy tool to have.
I'm not looking forward to removing mine as I think they're probably rusted. I don't really want to strip the head and destroy the bolt so my initial plan is to tack weld a good sized nut on top of the bolt. One I get it off I can cut the tacks and then clean up the bolt head.
It sounds pretty easy doesn't it.... In reality it'll be a pain in the butt,
The #4 Phillips also fits the screws that hold the tailgate latches in case anybody needs to know the correct size.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Harbor Freight has the #4 phillips bit (3/8" dr socket). I forget what I paid for it and they aren't anywhere near the quality of Snap On but when you're only going to use it once or twice it works.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 4
Well, crud....never found one at the Harbor Freight I went in to, but I may have just overlooked it. Well, maybe you saved a few people some money, Mike.
I figure with the weight of the #4 socket I bought, it came in just about the same value as silver. You think it will appreciate like silver, too? LOL Oh well, it sure is pretty and shiney...
I figure with the weight of the #4 socket I bought, it came in just about the same value as silver. You think it will appreciate like silver, too? LOL Oh well, it sure is pretty and shiney...
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 927
Likes: 3
From: Lake Point, Utah
The Phillips head bolts were used on regular cabs as well (I have several)...You CAN put a standard long shank factory style carriage bolt in it's place with a nut...EVEN with a side tank in place...but u will need a wobble socket and extension...Those Phillips head ones SUCK to remove if they are rusty...I will NOT grind them off and risk damage to the bed...I have a Drill bit that drills the heads off perfectly...bed slides off..then can be taken care of after bed is out of the way...and YES Dennis Carpenter has the bolts...but as far as I know DOES NOT sell the Phillips head ones...but who would want one unless you are restoring truck to show!! I sure as Hell don't!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 10
From: West Virginia
My experience with the phillips head ones (I've removed 3 beds, so idk if thats a lot of experience or not much experience) is that the phillips head ones come out just as often as the carraige bolt ones, so if someone wanted to restore they could probably get some used ones. Soak em in PB blaster and let em sit, then soak them some more.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 2
From: where the deer and antelo
I found #4 phillips bits at NAPA that fit my impact driver. I was able to remove one of the bolts, but broke four bits on the other one before welding a nut to the head and using a wrench on it. As others have said, I think an extension and a wobble socket would have worked with a carriage bolt.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 927
Likes: 3
From: Lake Point, Utah
That's not a bad idea either!!!! Probably a bit faster than drilling out the head!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 46
From: Vancouver
I removed the stubborn ones by zip-cutting a deep slot in each head to allow the use of a huge slot-type screwdriver on top. I had trouble finding correct carriage blots (7/16" ?) at hardware stores, but got some bumper bolts a a chromer. They came with chrome caps on the heads.
Eric
Eric
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 874
Likes: 56
From: Merlin, OR
On my truck, when I was getting my donor bed the phillips head bolt was rusted really badly. Ended up grinding the head of the bolt off. Did hit the bed a couple times 
but I had limited tools at my disposal at the time. I replaced the bolt/nut with a star head bolt, and a U-nut which clips over the frame so it'd be easier than fooling with the problem with the aux tank being in the way.
That particular bolt and nut is going on the front right of bed. I find it easier to work from above than underneath with a socket/ratchet. The part number from Ford for the bolt is N806251-S103, and the U-nut N803334-S439. It's from a 90's Supercab IIRC.
but I had limited tools at my disposal at the time. I replaced the bolt/nut with a star head bolt, and a U-nut which clips over the frame so it'd be easier than fooling with the problem with the aux tank being in the way. That particular bolt and nut is going on the front right of bed. I find it easier to work from above than underneath with a socket/ratchet. The part number from Ford for the bolt is N806251-S103, and the U-nut N803334-S439. It's from a 90's Supercab IIRC.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
For future reference, they're not called "star head", they're called "Torx". "Star-(insert name)" is a common misnomer for John Frearson's screw driver and screw head.
Both "Torx" and "Robertson" bolt heads top Philips screw heads any day of the week and twice on Sunday... proven fact...
Get Torx or Robertson bolt heads for you bed... you'll be glad you did.
BTW, I like to give Canada credit whenever I can because a Canadian invented the Robertson head. Some things are better left to Canadians
Both "Torx" and "Robertson" bolt heads top Philips screw heads any day of the week and twice on Sunday... proven fact...
Get Torx or Robertson bolt heads for you bed... you'll be glad you did.
BTW, I like to give Canada credit whenever I can because a Canadian invented the Robertson head. Some things are better left to Canadians
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nstueve
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jan 20, 2011 09:00 AM
