yeah I see it. and thats a 1992/1996 truck. so yeah they appear to be the same

 

As soon as you get your PM ability, we can wheel and deal you some rails, if you are still interested in them?

 

well...I dont want to shell out $400 for new ones. Id like to find a decent used set. you dont have any extra end caps? I have a 6.5ft bed so Id have to cut yours anyway.....the bowing doesnt concern me...I think I could straighten it. I have a set of factory Ford Ranger rails I had to straighten ...turned out good.

 

Again we can work out a deal, I hate to know you are cutting them for a short bed, so I will just not tell myself that. I have to ck my other parts stash, but I think I have a few spare ends caps....

 

I've got a set for a short bed I would part with so you don't have to cut those. They do have some pitting and dings from years of use however.

 

can you get pics?

 

sounds good

 

Hi..Just joined the forum.

Have a 1978 F250 with 8ft bed and Ford factory stake mounted bed rails. I need to remove them to repaint the truck. The forward and aft stake mounts have a large Philips head screw and the center has a ½ Inch bolt behind the plastic cover. The bed rails have never been off the truck and the screws and bolts are very tight. Is there a threaded plate in each of the stake holes? Any tips on cracking them loose. Don’t want to twist them off.

Also, do you recommend removing the rails first and then the mounts our taking each side off in one piece (rail and mounts).

Thanks in Advance!

 

Hello, all the mounts have a metal threaded bracket as in pic. Removing the large Phillips screw will also remove the mount from the truck

Hope this helps!

 

Leave the rail part attached to the front middle and end pieces. Spray some WD or PB blaster and let them soak. Yes they have a rectangle metal lock bar, that is pulled up against the bottom of the stake pocket when you tighten the hdwr. I am pretty sure you can use a ratchet wrench on the middle bolt.

Use a # 3 or 4 phillips head screwdriver tip, in a bit holder an then using a ratchet/speed handle or what ever gives you the most down ward pressure on the end stand hdwr. Also know that you can wet the end of the bit and put it in some baking soda or fine sand to help the bit get a grip. You do not want to strip the screw head. But it you do you can always VERY CAREFULLY drill the head off of the screw using the step bit method. NOT using a step bit, but start put with a small drill bit in the + and then change up the size to continue to drill the screw head off.

I have had the hdwr strip and even break, not the end of the world. New hdwr can be sourced and the broke bolt/screw can be extracted from the rectangle piece once it is all off the truck.

Also can try a old school Manual Impact Driver (the one you hit the top with a hammer) to help snap loose the screws.

https://www.powerbuilt.com/products/1-2-dr-impact-driver?srsltid=AfmBOoq3PumAclAlVaRRKxGr5SHr8-5Rii0UoeUATx6KtZeC96VtQWt4

Take your time they can not be forced off without damaging the stake pocket/bed lip.

 

Thank You guys for the removal info/tips and the link to the impact tool!
The picture was very helpful!