thanks
bolt size?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
bolt size?
what size are the bolts that hold bed on 1997 king cab short box 4x4 are the 18 mm,19mm? as i only have up to a 17 mill to small and i have a 20mm its to big just nothing in between. and is there a how to tread on here to take your box of it would greatly help as well thanks ps all your help on my other post i made was a great help truck running smooth as ice now,i got front bumper off rear bummper off,now want bed off have new one to go on illl post pics when im done with my work and gonna do some mods like airaid intake white face gauges 3 inch lift ect
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
It should have Torx head bolts holding the bed on. I believe they were T45, that's just from memory. They'll be either a T 45 or a T50. Torx sets are reasonable.
How to? Remove tail gate. Remove six bed mounting bolts. Unplug wiring at the rear of the bed, going to the tail lights. Remove sockets from license tag lights. Remove 3 screws that hold the fuel filler in place, 5.5mm I think. Remove fuel cap. On the filler neck, under the bed side there is a hose clamp securing the neck to the bed floor. Remove bed.
View this thread for some pics. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...fuel-pump.html
How to? Remove tail gate. Remove six bed mounting bolts. Unplug wiring at the rear of the bed, going to the tail lights. Remove sockets from license tag lights. Remove 3 screws that hold the fuel filler in place, 5.5mm I think. Remove fuel cap. On the filler neck, under the bed side there is a hose clamp securing the neck to the bed floor. Remove bed.
View this thread for some pics. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...fuel-pump.html
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
You need a torx bit (t-50) if it's stock bolts.
If it's been replaced, (you say 20mm is too bit, but in actuality, no sockets will work because the head is round) then you'll have to see what was used. You may have to buy a socket, and you can buy them individually if you wanted. Just make sure you have the right tools when you work on your car, otherwise, you'll have to buy more tools to fix it. And new replacement parts.
If it's been replaced, (you say 20mm is too bit, but in actuality, no sockets will work because the head is round) then you'll have to see what was used. You may have to buy a socket, and you can buy them individually if you wanted. Just make sure you have the right tools when you work on your car, otherwise, you'll have to buy more tools to fix it. And new replacement parts.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
From: waterloo, iowa
I believe the correct way to remove the box would be to cut the dang bolts off. 
at least thats what i did last month when i took my bed off. I soaked those bolts in wd40 and all sorts of lube, and after i broke four t50 bits, i decided it was time to cut them off and replace them with regular bolts.
and ranchero got the rest correct, unplug harness, and three screws for fuel filler is all i did. don't remember having to remove a clamp? and the liscence tag lights are in the bumper so you don't need to do anything with those if you don't remove the bumper.
at least thats what i did last month when i took my bed off. I soaked those bolts in wd40 and all sorts of lube, and after i broke four t50 bits, i decided it was time to cut them off and replace them with regular bolts.
and ranchero got the rest correct, unplug harness, and three screws for fuel filler is all i did. don't remember having to remove a clamp? and the liscence tag lights are in the bumper so you don't need to do anything with those if you don't remove the bumper.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
I believe the correct way to remove the box would be to cut the dang bolts off.
at least thats what i did last month when i took my bed off. I soaked those bolts in wd40 and all sorts of lube, and after i broke four t50 bits, i decided it was time to cut them off and replace them with regular bolts.
and ranchero got the rest correct, unplug harness, and three screws for fuel filler is all i did. don't remember having to remove a clamp? and the liscence tag lights are in the bumper so you don't need to do anything with those if you don't remove the bumper.
at least thats what i did last month when i took my bed off. I soaked those bolts in wd40 and all sorts of lube, and after i broke four t50 bits, i decided it was time to cut them off and replace them with regular bolts.
and ranchero got the rest correct, unplug harness, and three screws for fuel filler is all i did. don't remember having to remove a clamp? and the liscence tag lights are in the bumper so you don't need to do anything with those if you don't remove the bumper.
You are probably correct on the T50. I couldn't remember if it was a T45 or a T50.
There is a clamp on the filler neck to attach it to the support made on the bottom of the bed.
If your bed has ever been off it may not have been reinstalled. My truck had the clamp, the truck I took the bed off of didn't.
The tag lights are in the bumper but they are part of the tail light harness and must be removed .... or replaced after you yank the wires out of them. This photo of my replacement bed on the trailer when I brought it home clearly shows the tag lights dangling from the bottom of the bed.
I've done the bed removals several times so I thought I had it pretty well correct. I take lots of pictures ........works better than my memory!
Note: I was wrong once ....... that was when I was right and thought I was wrong......
By the way, if you have any plans for replacing your rear shocks in the near future this would be the time to do it. The top shock nuts are a PITA to get to with the bed on.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
From: waterloo, iowa
The tag lights are in the bumper but they are part of the tail light harness and must be removed .... or replaced after you yank the wires out of them. This photo of my replacement bed on the trailer when I brought it home clearly shows the tag lights dangling from the bottom of the bed.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FoPar1972
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
261
Feb 27, 2020 10:51 PM
Crewcabber
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
4
Jul 6, 2014 06:32 PM
