1997 - 2003 F-150

Removing the bed

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Old 01-19-2011, 05:37 PM
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Removing the bed

on my 1997 F-150 ext cab short box. What all do i need to do?

i know there is 6-8 bolts holding the bed to the frame.

the 2 shock tower bolts.

a ground strap.

and some tail light wires.

is there anything im missing?

im going to be removing my bed for my bronco gas tank swap to make it easier to fab stuff up and install the tank. also to do my exhaust.

Did i miss anything? and does anyone know the size of the Torex bit needed for the bed bolts? it looks pretty big.
 
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Old 01-19-2011, 06:26 PM
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Aren't the shock towers on the frame, not the bed?
 
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Old 01-19-2011, 06:56 PM
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Filler neck removal
 
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Old 01-19-2011, 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Raptor05121
Aren't the shock towers on the frame, not the bed?
My thoughts exactly. The upper shock mount should be on a frame cross member and have nothing to do with the bed. The bed is not heavy enough to handle a shock mount.
 
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Old 01-19-2011, 09:01 PM
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No need to touch shocks at all. 6 bolts in bed,filler neck bolts and hose clamp connected to filler tube,unplug wire harness by drivers tail light. That's all there is.
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 01:48 AM
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sweet. oh i thought the shock bolts went to the bed but now that i think of it it is under the bed because its a PITA to get anything on that top bolt.

ha go figure i forgot the filler neck ha.

Thanks guys
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 03:59 AM
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trust me you will figure out the filler necks attached, for some reason that corner keeps trying to go where it was

you have help lifting the bed right?
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 12:15 PM
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me and my buddy should be able to get it. we can each carry a sterling 10.25 by our selfs thats 300-500ish lbs so i think we can get the bed. will prob pick it up and go stright back and set it on saw-horses or something.

anyone know what size the bed bolts are?
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 12:46 PM
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Bronco gas tank swap? What's that do for these trucks?
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 01:51 PM
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https://www.f150online.com/forums/v8...pare-tire.html

i got a 33 gallon brand new 1985 bronco gas tank for 100 dollars shiped. a new replacement for my truck is over 300. i want the gas tank in the back were the spare tire normaly is so i can run my dual lightning exits.
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 01:54 PM
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I thought they were T55 bit heads, they're like a 19mm bolt? I can very easily be wrong on the bolt size, but they're honkers
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 02:01 PM
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yeah i know there a pretty good size Torex bit.

what are the chances off all my bed bolts coming out and not breaking???

truck has 153,000 miles on it and been in Michigan its whole life with road salt and snow.

something tells me im gonna break a few
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 03:19 PM
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they are probably going to have to be cut out.
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 05:00 PM
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I just tried taking my bed mount bolts out for a body lift... and every single one of them has to have the heads cut off, they're all so ceased. However, if you do manage to get yours out, I believe the Torx bit you'd need is a T50.
 
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Old 01-20-2011, 05:21 PM
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I broke 4 of mine, and 3 torx bits.
 

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