Removing bed

03F250

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What all is involved in removing my bed? I'd like to remove it completely so I can get a good look underneath. I picked up this 2003 with 244k miles and it seems to have a good bit of rust underneath (understandable).

Is it reasonable to thing I can simply unbolt the bolts holding the bed down and lift it off? How difficult is it to disconnect the fuel filler tube? What about tail lights? I'd think I can just unplug them, but is it that easy... probably not...
 

DaveBen

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The tail lights unplug from the frame harness, so that is easy. The fuel lines will NOT need to be removed, they run along the frame. The fuel filler will need to be disconnected before the bed will come off. Easy.

Dave
 

03F250

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The tail lights unplug from the frame harness, so that is easy. The fuel lines will NOT need to be removed, they run along the frame. The fuel filler will need to be disconnected before the bed will come off. Easy.

Dave

Thank you. I might have to try this now.
 

WD40

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Sounds like you covered just about everything, good luck. Take pictures.
Doug
 

03F250

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Sounds like you covered just about everything, good luck. Take pictures.
Doug

So, I just looked at it. Looks like...

  • 2 bolts on each tail light (8mm)
  • 3 bolts on the fuel filler (7mm)
  • 8 (I think) Torx bolts on the bed (T-50)
  • 4 bolts for my safety hooks for the Gooseneck hitch

After that, it should just lift right off, right? I know I'm overthinking it.

I'm gonna pull it off and sand it down good. I think I'm gonna put some POR-15 or similar coating on it. Any suggestions?
 

RSG

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Por-15 - yes. I did it the hard way 2 summers ago and it is excellent. I'm just now outgrowing some of it that ran down my forearms as I lay on my back painting it on the underside because I didn't pull the bed. !!
 

03F250

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Ok, so I started on it and it's evident it's not gonna be that simple. I pulled the two rear bed bolts out with little fuss. With an 18" breaker bar, they didn't really put up that much of a fight. However, the on on the left by the cab has already snapped two T-50 bits. I figured the first one simply snapped because it was a POS I picked up from Sears (wasn't even a Craftsman so I doubt they'll replace it, but I'm going to try to get it replaced/refunded since the thing gave up the ghost after only 10 minutes of use), but then I went and picked up a Duralast from Auto Zone and it snapped, too.

Any ideas? I think I need a torch to put some heat down to them, but not sure.
 

DaveBen

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Soak them with WD-40 or some other penetrating oil. Let stand over night and try again. I have some great tork bits, but I don't remember the company who made them.

Dave :)
 

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