ok seems simple right? well we had to torch the old bed bolts out over a year ago, and the truck is still in restoration, well what size of bolts are needed? we count 8 bolts for the bed? also the truck is a regular cab 1977 F-150 styleside short box 4x4 if that matters, i don't know how many bolts long boxes need? 8 as well? also what grade? and what head size? i know if you get too small the carriage bolt will come through the floor, also what has anyone else done? i plan on getting stainless steel for good reasons also the previous owner only put 4 bolts in? i am putting the 8 back, seems like over kill but if ford put 8 holes it was needed, funny the box has 8 bolts yet the cab has only 4 plus the 2 up front, i guess ford didn't want the heavy weight in the box moving the box around, which makes sense, any help would be great thanks again!

-Brent

 

the bed bolts are not regular carriage bolts. the square shank under the head is longer. i believe they are a 9/16 bolt but wont swear to it right now. restoration companies (fte sponsors) should have them. Or ford might still carry them but i doubt it.

 

I have heard that the stainless route would be a custom order from a bolt supply house, if available. If you decide to go standard, I ordered a used set for a longbed from Mikes Truck Salvage (sponser) complete, delivered with nuts for under $20.00 hope this helps.

 

thanks for the help lasthighboy and 78longbed, thanks for pointing me to sponsor, the only problem is i don't want to order them by mail, also most if not all? sponsor's are in the good ole USA, i live in London, Ontario Canada, which is a drive to Michigan, but i don't feel like driving that far, i have a local fastener company (not sponsor sorry) they have every bolt, but there picky and they don't do returns very well (they hate it) plus they charge a restocking fee, and in the past if it didn't work i just bought the right bolt and didn't bother returning the other bolts, but i want to keep my cash in my pocket and can't risk getting the wrong bolts, i will have to try and measure the square holes, then go from there, but what will that even get me? i wish someone had the info on the exact bolts i need, and i know the dealer won't have them, they hate to do anything as it is, they could be there, but i get the excuse that the computers won't go past 1980, which is total bs, they got old books but are too lazy to drag them out to run the part number, i wish i could go back in time when we used to have good part guy's now we only got 20 nothings who can only push a button and go ughhhhhhh,,,,, i mean these guy's can't walk and chew gum, even the guys at local auto part stores, only a few places have the wise old guy who knows every thing, and isn't scared to haul out a book, they say we are getting smarter with all this schooling, but i think we are getting more and more stupid, mind you i sound like some 50-70 year old guy, but surprise surprise i was born on September 18th 1989, so by my watch i am 19 turning 20 in September, i guess i was just lucky, and was taught with good morals and how to do things besides drooling over a computer that tells me everything, i was taught to open up a book and read, and its funny the old guy with only elementary education maybe has the know how on....hmmm maybe i should open up the parts book!!!! if the computer comes up with nothing vs. the 20 nothing who types away and comes up with nothing, and goes we don't have that part, meanwhile the book on the shelf is screaming murder! pick me up! pick me up! and the part is screaming on the back shelf here i am! here i am! read the book and find me!, when i have kids i am going to show them how a book works computers are great to do stuff like i am doing right now and sharing e-mails and watching videos, and a few other great things, but times i want to toss them out a third story window, i guess that's why i got a old 70s ford truck!, the most electronically advanced part on my truck is the brand new pioneer cd deck, oh it also has a USB wire so i can connect a thumb drive or mp3 player to it!, my truck has no computer, yet it has a USB port? lol lol, vs. modern cars and trucks with computers and they don't even have a USB port, well unless they got a really new cd/radio like mine

i know that was way off topic but heck its my tread! and i like venting, also don't suggest me asking a parts guy or the fastener place to look up the bolt i need, because i already told you the service i get around here, at times i ask for the parts book, then find the part and get them to get it! lol lol they should make self serve auto part stores! lol lol have a guard watching over you, and you can find your part via a computer or part book, then go get it your self, or order it by help of a clerk! sounds like a good idea! any one else agree?


so if anyone has any info on the bolts for the box please post it!, like size and length, mine where torched off, and swept into the garbage! DOH!!!

-Brent

 

computers are great to do stuff like i am doing right now and sharing e-mails and watching videos, and a few other great things, but times i want to toss them out a third story window, i guess that's why i got a old 70s ford truck!, the most electronically advanced part on my truck is the brand new pioneer cd deck, oh it also has a USB wire so i can connect a thumb drive or mp3 player to it!, my truck has no computer, yet it has a USB port?

You sound like me. i have a pioneer in my 79 too. but its older. no usb port. Why would i need one? i dont own an mp3 player. Guess im a lil more old school. 27. ill get bolt measurements for you tomorrow if it isnt raining too hard. Not working sure frees up a lot of time doesnt it?

 

you want to talk old school? my father has a 1984 Mustang Gt hatchback, mint, original black paint with the Gt stripe package, and he removed his old carb 5.0 and put in a 1994 fuel injected computer controlled 5.0 motor, he is trying to sell the car now, and can't find any buyers (bad market, and he doesn't want to give it away) so he said lets put the fuel injected 5.0 in your truck? i was like heck no! i am keeping my old school 1971 Torino 302w (that's what the bonus motor decoded out as, it came with the truck to replace the tired 302w under the hood, the only good thing about the old motor was it leaked so much it oil guarded the firewall), it has a edelbrock performer electric choke 4barrel carb with performer intake, so its hot enough for me, and i don't want a cpu in my truck, the radio is the most advanced thing like i said, every thing is old school, well the transmission is a rebuilt early 80s Lincoln AOD (i wanted the 4 gears vs 3 gears) but still no computer, also i got a later AOD/AODE 4x4 extension piece for the connection to the stock 1977 np205 transfercase, (if your wondering how did i connect a stock rwd AOD to a NP205 well when i got the to rebuild the transmission and put in extra clutch packs and shift kit, i also got them to swap in the 4x4 length tailstock ( i get how did i do that all the time on here and places, because they didn't have np205 in fords in the 80s, also rwd AOD's won't work, there tailstocks are too short, you need the longer one to reach into the transfercase, also i get how did i do that still, because they think the 70s np205 won't bolt up to the 80s early 90s AOD extension piece because like i said they didn't use np205 with AOD in the 80s, but i was lucky, Ford didn't change the transfercase bolt pattern in the 80s so with some grinding to notch the aluminum for the np205 shifter, it was all fine and bolted right up, did i mention i am running old 70s turbine rims, and plan on putting some bigger meat on them, 31"- 33" is as big as i want, (i am looking at a aggressive mud tire, yet i want all round performance on the road *rain, snow*, i know that is rare, but i have seen a number of tires that fit the bill, BFG is one, i know a lot of people show hate for BFG, but i haven't really had any problems with them)

also i like old school every thing from old radios (like my late 70s Pioneer receiver and early 70s sony clock radio) to vintage electronics like my old 1941 Toastmaster toaster which ticks like a clock when toasting my bread! (internal clock vs. modern electronic crap) all in all i am really old school, i have a 4gb thumb drive and a mp3 player that i don't use that much, but the new Pioneer radio came with a usb port, so i figure i will use it, but i will still use my retro vinyl looking blank cds they add a old school touch!

also i have never owned a ipod or iphone or i what ever, i hate them things, dam wheel button, also i understand about not working, it sure does free up a lot of time, and thanks for getting the measurements for me that's why i like this website, so many nice and informative people, (well we have a few bad apples, but the good out weighs the bad in tons here!) thanks again for your help lasthighboy

what is your name? lasthighboy? mine is Brent, i tend to put my name at the end, i like these nicknames, but i like using real names when talking to people on here, i guess i am just real old school and i don't plan on selling my truck ever! old school beats new school every time!, i can't wait to get my truck out of restoration, its been 2 years this September but it will be worth it! and fun to drive for the first time ever!

-Brent

 

bolt lengths from front to rear. remember 2 apiece. 4.5", 4", 3", 3.5". 1/2" diameter. measured on 2 trucks. bolts were installed so lengths may not be exactly accurate but should be close enough. dont know why they would be different for any reason. Unless numberdummy decides to jump on here and set the record straight. but they may have just come in a kit back then and maybe he doesnt have exact lengths. dont know size of square shank but im sure its same as regular carriage bolt. just longer. dont know why it would necessarily need to be though.

got measurements tonight while it wasnt raining too hard instead of tomorrow. needed to check some other things out there (in the pasture) anyway. didnt get my boggers put on but i can make that happen tomorrow. glad i could help you out.

my name is Michael. or Mike. whichever. it dont matter. nice looking truck. one of my projects is a 77 f-150 4x4 ranger package. my dad ordered it new in 76. unless that idea, along with a few others, go in the woodchipper. Does your 302 pull it ok? always thought they seemed like they would be a lil small in these trucks. especially a 4x4.

 

Nice to meet...ur chat with you Mike and thanks for the measurements, also i will have to measure my squares, the fastener guy said that was important, because he has a variety of sizes, and i don' want it to fit tight or loose, also i don't understand why lengths would be different? where both trucks the same? the diameter helps, and i wish numberdummy would step in soon!, i might have to hunt him down, there is no hurray, but i figured i would get them, then it saves me going to get them when the bed is ready, also what powers your 77 f-150 4x4? i am going to guess 360?

Does your 302 pull it ok? always thought they seemed like they would be a lil small in these trucks. especially a 4x4.

to answer that, i think it will be fine, i know the early 66-77 Bronco's had 302w's and i know they are smaller than our 73-79 fullsized half ton f-150's, but remember that Ford went to 302w in the 80s in there 4x4 F-100/F-150 trucks, and from my guess, from 72 to 75 *which was the real kicker for emissions and pollution controls* the power in all motors went out the window, because of smaller cams and low compression and smog pumps and other such headaches, i am lucky, i am running a 1971 Torino 302w, with no smog equipment, just basic 302w with power steering and power brakes, and no AC, also the performer edelbrock intake and 4 barrel electric choke carb open up the intake a lot more than stock, also a super Accel coil is also bolted on *also i upgraded to duraspark2 electronic distributor*, and K&N air filter and oil filter, i know that is good for 50 hp right? lol lol only kidding, i know it doesn't help that much but i put it on to avoid paper filters, i have no idea on any internal mods, all i know is its super clean with the oil pan off, and intake and valve covers, and it looked like new, and runs really good, (i haven't drove the truck yet, its been in resto since we bought it, the truck used to be rear wheel drive, then we found a mint 77 shortbox 4x4 rolling frame, and the rest is history)

i think this 302w can hold its own, and besides what would a 351m/400 from the later part of the 70s have? in hp or torque ratings? i bet its lower than a 71 302w rating (no smog equipment and better non smog cam and normal high compression gives me a advantage over later 70s 302w's which like every other motor became detuned bricks, pardon my slang term, but i hate how they detuned motors) i seen 70s Cadillac's with big 500 v8's yet they only had 190 hp and Buick la sabres with big 455 v8's and only 205 hp (sorry for the Gm references, but a ford truck buddy of mine was talking about his past cars and his fathers mint like new 76 cadillac and how weak the v8s are) they are big boat anchors, unlike the powerful 60s v8s and early 70s v8s
i will post how it drives, but i don't want a rock crusher, and from what i seen the old beat up 302w that was in it, did fine in rwd form, also i don't plan on major off roading up hills, just mild off road fun, also i don't plan on towing a giant trailer or boat, so i think i will be happy, also ford never built a 4x4 f-series with a 302w or 351w till the 80s, and how did those trucks drive? they had really weak 302ws in the 80s, not in till fuel injection did they recover some power

-Brent

 

also i find it funny that those chevy ss 454 trucks of the 80s and early 90s have less power than the 5.0 ford trucks, and when that ford truck is a Lightening watch out!, i was watching Spike Tv's powerblock, and they had a chevy ss 454 truck vs the f-150 5.0 Ligening truck, and the modded both, and the ford still beat the 454 which had mods too, plus the weight of that 454 is a major boat anchor, the more powerful 5.0 *302w* was also lighter and better on gas, all around better, displacement is fun and nice when the motor is a nice ford 428 or 429 super cobra v8 or a tuned 460, but if its late 70s or 80s its a all smogged up, and 70s and 80s 500s and 454s are just boat anchors, unless you rip them down and redo them from crank to cam to pistons, then you might make some power

also a few members have trucks like mine, 73-79 f-150 302w powered, and they seem to like them, and they both want to upgrade like mine to AOD and get some more mileage out of the 4th gear, mine will be really unique and one of a kind, i don't have to worry about running into another one, let alone one with the same drive train in a 4x4 form of course car shows will be really cool to go too! when i have my own ride to bring and show off! and from what i see, there isn't any other 67-79 ford trucks, only a few 67-72s and of course you get the odd poopy chevy from the late 70s, but no dodges? lol lol

-Brent

 

lengths are different because the top of the frame is not flat, but the bottom of the bed is, so the depth of the supports is different to fill in the gaps. you'll see it when you go to put it together.

one truck i measured was my 77 that i dont believe the box has ever been off of. the other was my 79 f-350 4x4 with the box (and bolts) off of a 73 1/2t 2wd. the front 2 bolts on it were actually 5" but looked like they had been replaced (not as rusty, dont remember if i did it or not) and had plenty of extra thread.

an autostart battery currently powers my 77. when it decides to run. jk, the motor is a 351m but its pretty wore out. not much power left in it. they stopped the 360's in 76.

somewhere i had a set of bolts out of an 89 i was going to measure too but i couldnt find them tonight.