Bed Mounting Bolts???
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Las Vegas
Bed Mounting Bolts???
Howdy,
Are the bolts that hold the bed onto the frame on a 69 F250 anything special or just regular hardware store carriage bolts? If so, what size/length are they? I need to remove and remount my bed and want to have the new hardware in hand before I start. While it is off, I will have nothing to drive to get new bolts!!!
TIA
Gene
Are the bolts that hold the bed onto the frame on a 69 F250 anything special or just regular hardware store carriage bolts? If so, what size/length are they? I need to remove and remount my bed and want to have the new hardware in hand before I start. While it is off, I will have nothing to drive to get new bolts!!!
TIA
Gene
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Gene, It has been a few years, they are not all the same length, and that size is not easy to come by. Big box wont have them.
Bill should be able to help, and I suggest you check with Dennis Carpenter, or one of the site sponsors.
John
Bill should be able to help, and I suggest you check with Dennis Carpenter, or one of the site sponsors.
John
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
There is no illustration of these bolts and no quantity is shown in the parts catalog, so I don't know how many were used.
1968/72 F250 Styleside Pickup 131" wheelbase.
381789S40 .. Carriage Bolt-Pickup Bed to Frame / Zinc Plated / 7/16" -14 x 2 11/16" / Obsolete
No Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any, and the parts catalog doesn't list the grade.
1968/72 F250 Styleside Pickup 131" wheelbase.
381789S40 .. Carriage Bolt-Pickup Bed to Frame / Zinc Plated / 7/16" -14 x 2 11/16" / Obsolete
No Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any, and the parts catalog doesn't list the grade.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Bill, Without going outside and checking I believe there is 6 of the carriage bolts and two more near the bumper that don't go through the floor, for 8 total on a long bed. The short bed may have a total of 6.
John
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Gene, it's too cold/wet/dark for me to run outside but here's an idea I've used before. Grab a ruler and climb under the truck. Measure from the under side of the bed floor to the end of the bolt. I think the front ones are about 6" long. They are 1/2" diameter so they'll be fairly common. If you can't find the exact lengths just buy longer ones and saw them down as needed.
I'd like to make a suggestion you might want to consider. Most of the carriage bolts found in hardware stores are not high grade bolts. They are meant for things like hanging garage doors not holding down a bed on a working truck. I refer to them as " butter bolts ". I'd strongly suggest that you don't use an impact wrench to tighten them. I buy things like carriage bolts from an industrial supply outfit. They cost a bit more but they won't snap.
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Posting Guru
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From: Shasta Lake, Ca.
When I replace the Bolts in my bed, the Old ones where grade 5, I used grade 8 to replacethem with because I tow a 5th wheel some times. You need to make sure to use the correct grade for whats needed, a min would be grade 5 from all that I have seen
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Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
You are towing from the chassis not the bed. I do understand bigger is better, but the class 5 bolt should be sufficient. IMHO
I suggest anyone wanting to remove a bed, first prep the bolts by liberally applying a PB Blaster like product, and brushing the threads really good. When the nut turning starts have an adult stand with his heel on the top of the bolt to help keep it from turning. If it ever starts turning in place you are sunk.
But hey good luck with it.
John
Posting Guru
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Shasta Lake, Ca.
jowilker, My 5th wheel assy alingned with 4 of the beds to chassie bolts, So why half *** it, I replaced them all and added 6 more for the 5th wheel. Comcidering I towing a triple axle 16 Horse trailer. I am not taking any chances I dont need to. This is a Case of Over kill for safaty.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,430
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From: NH
when I replaced the bolts on my 83 long bed I wasn't worried about originality so I got regular grade 5 bolts. Got a helper with a wrench on top to hold the bolt and screwed the nut on from the underside. I also used washers so the bolt wouldn't pull through the bed.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
jowilker, My 5th wheel assy alingned with 4 of the beds to chassie bolts, So why half *** it, I replaced them all and added 6 more for the 5th wheel. Comcidering I towing a triple axle 16 Horse trailer. I am not taking any chances I dont need to. This is a Case of Over kill for safaty.
16 1000lb+ horses and a trailer behind a F100????????
John