Removing bed bolts

[FireTruck1984]

How are you guys stopping the head of the bolt from spinning?thanks

I cut a slot in the head of the Bolt and use a Left Handed Screwdriver

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[Soundmound]

I had my wife stand on the bolt heads in the bed while I took the nuts off. No rust issues here, but just to be safe I put the Pblaster lubey dooby on all of them at least twice in the week prior to removal.

 

[Scott91370]

I replaced mine with a set from a later model Ford.

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[dusterdude]

I like that idea,shame i dont have a welder

 

[brooksman9]

Anyone used a nut splitter on the bottom? Some of these are difficult to get to, rusted etc. Some have spun also after having come loose.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Anyone used a nut splitter on the bottom? Some of these are difficult to get to, rusted etc. Some have spun also after having come loose.

I was reading through the comments to see if anyone was going to mention a nut splitter, and I get to the last one and see nut splitter. I was going to say to use a nut splitter. No welding, no fuss, no spun bolts, no wallered-out holes, just run the splitter down on the nut and it comes right off. Move on to the next one that won't loosen.

 

[Camar068]

The last bed I removed, I cut a piece of 1/2 inch angle long enough to reach the heads of the 2 closest bolts. Then tacked it to the head of the bolts and that will hold those 2 bolts from spinning while loosening. Then just pull both bolts out and pop the tacks loose and reuse the angle on the next set of bolts. Grind the heads smooth when done and drop them back in place

damn fine idea

 

[dusterdude]

I was reading through the comments to see if anyone was going to mention a nut splitter, and I get to the last one and see nut splitter. I was going to say to use a nut splitter. No welding, no fuss, no spun bolts, no wallered-out holes, just run the splitter down on the nut and it comes right off. Move on to the next one that won't loosen.

Idea!!!!!

 

[Scott91370]

Or cut the head off.

 

[CheemsK1500]

I ran into this problem a few weeks ago on my '84. The truck is solid and does suffer any major rot issues, but the nuts on the bed bolts were essentially frozen. Sometimes I could get lucky and bite the upper part of the bolts with a pipe wrench, but I ended just cutting the more stubborn ones.

I replaced them with the same size bolts, but stainless hex heads. The hex heads work and look great, just make sure you have a second person in the bed to back them up as you tighten the nuts.

 

[dusterdude]

Success!!!!!,3 came out normally and i had to cut the other 5,but its done.

 

[Big Ray]

Cheepest one I've found. My neighbor has one and it's the cat's meow.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0851C6Q22/

Gotta get one of those... don't have a torch. Yet...
Gotta take a steering arm off an extra axle I have.

 

[Grit dog]

I ran into this problem a few weeks ago on my '84. The truck is solid and does suffer any major rot issues, but the nuts on the bed bolts were essentially frozen. Sometimes I could get lucky and bite the upper part of the bolts with a pipe wrench, but I ended just cutting the more stubborn ones.

I replaced them with the same size bolts, but stainless hex heads. The hex heads work and look great, just make sure you have a second person in the bed to back them up as you tighten the nuts.

Why hex heads? Especially since you could have bought a full replacement set for like $13?
Yes it works. But….

 

[CheemsK1500]

Why hex heads? Especially since you could have bought a full replacement set for like $13?
Yes it works. But….

I plan on taking it back off later for painting. I'll probably put the right ones on after painting.

 

[1980_C10_STEPSIDE]

Hi all,

Newbie here. I found this thread, so I hope it's ok to piggy-back with my issue rather than creating a new thread.

I am trying to work on my wood bed replacement. Well, actually all the wood is gone. So, I will be adding the wood floor. I am running into this issue, where the side rails have the bolts so rusted out. So, I would like to replace the bolts. However, while trying to remove some of the rusted nuts I ended up breaking one of the bolts halfway thru the thread. I notice that the bolt was not moving at all. (attached pictures)

So my question to you. Do you know if the side rail bolts are welded to the rails?

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The rail on the driver side has one bolt missing, (attached pictured) and by looking at it closely, it is hard to tell but it does not seem to be welded. I don't want to jack it up and damage/bend the rail in the process.

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Any input greatly appreciated.