05 Pickup Beds
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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05 Pickup Beds
It's new truck time
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I stopped by a Ford dealer today to check out the SD's.
I noticed that the beds have what appears to be 8 torx bolts through the floor. I assume the bolts are to hold the box to the frame. I also noticed the the box appears to be a multiple piece design with the bottom being seperate from the sides. Is this new or has Ford been doing it this way for awhile? What is the reason? It appears to me that sand/dirt/water would get in the seam and be a rust problem.
. I stopped by a Ford dealer today to check out the SD's.
I noticed that the beds have what appears to be 8 torx bolts through the floor. I assume the bolts are to hold the box to the frame. I also noticed the the box appears to be a multiple piece design with the bottom being seperate from the sides. Is this new or has Ford been doing it this way for awhile? What is the reason? It appears to me that sand/dirt/water would get in the seam and be a rust problem.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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Fords beds are spot and seam welded of many pieces. The modern dipping and final spray painting is very good and real durable except in areas that get perferated through all six layers of protection. Then it is corrosion and rust city just like any other metel that oxidises.
A very well done spray in liner can totaly seal the three sides and floor of the bed to the point that if you properly seal the gate you can have a hot tub.
I have my liner guy also coat the inner fender wells, and many folks have the bottom 4, 6, or 8 inches of the rockers front to rear coated.
Every truck bed I have seen in the last 20 years that had bad rust was from the top inside the bed. The under side is mostly up out of the way and well protected except directly fore and aft of the tire gravel sling path.
A very well done spray in liner can totaly seal the three sides and floor of the bed to the point that if you properly seal the gate you can have a hot tub.
I have my liner guy also coat the inner fender wells, and many folks have the bottom 4, 6, or 8 inches of the rockers front to rear coated.
Every truck bed I have seen in the last 20 years that had bad rust was from the top inside the bed. The under side is mostly up out of the way and well protected except directly fore and aft of the tire gravel sling path.
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When I get my truck I plan to have the bed sprayed with Line-X. Should I have them remove the bolts or spray right over them? I would think you would want to remove them then reinstall after spraying.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Allen, Tx
Linex in Brownwood (where I bought my truck) removed all 8 bolts in the bed and the 10 or 12 bolts on the tailgate and they made sure that the drain points were kept clear without having to ask. It's probably better to not spray the bolts in case you have to remove them for some reason. (like removing the tailgate cover panel to get to the locking mechanism or removing the bed to get to the fuel tank.) You'd probably have a hard time getting the T50 bit to fit in the bolt head if it had been sprayed and it might slip out if you did. You need all the torque and contact you can get to get these things out. Plus it looks cleaner or more OEM with the bolts unsprayed.
