So i have a 97 extended cab, and as most of you know this model year along with many others was cursed with crappy tie downs in the bed. Well i finnally did something about it. i took out the old ones (broke all the old bolts off) and what i was left with was square nuts welded inside the bed that you cant get to unless you are under the truck. i started trying to drill them out for the new bolts and got frustrated. i ended up removing the ould square nuts with some help from an air chisel. i then got a set of bolts, nuts, washers, and lock washers and installed the new tiedowns. i put in ones for an 02 truck. i only put in the back two since i cant really use the front ones with my tool box in. i plan on putting eye bolts in the bottom of my tool box to make up for this.
i will try to get up picturs tomoro of the new hardware. so far i am very pleased with the change

 

sounds great but still have to do it

 

hahaha i know i know. id take pictures now... but its dark. so... just have to wait and see tomoro!

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...308101251a.jpg

Here are some pics of the finished product. im gonna try and find some originals online somewhere to post for a comparison.

 

Nice work, and yea, I hated those tie downs that came in my ole' 97' F150. Those ones you now have (which I also have in my current 02') are much better for securing items in the bed.

 

my dad has an 02 and that is where i got the idea from. the old ones from my 97 were just about useless unless you use a bungee cord with one of those thin metal hooks. once i decided to try a different mounting method other than the original hardware the job became much easier and faster. if i had taken this aproach from the very beginning, i would have had it done in about 20-25 minutes and that includes removing the bedliner.

 

nice man. i actually dont have too many problems with the ones in my 98. just use ratchet straps crossed from side to side to make them secure. if i didnt have a low pressure spray in i might try this one

 

well the ones in mine were worse than the average. the two closest to the tail gate already had one bolt each broken which really made them suck. plus i hated my bedliner so i did it all in one shot. (good thing too) when i got the liner out, i was missing 3 out of 6 bed bolts. the second set from the tailgate and the one right behind the passengerside cab. then the one behind the driver side cab had about 1/4 inch of play in it. needless to say it got cut and i replaced the 4 bed bolts as well.

 

I have those as well, what's so bad about them?

 

do you use yours a lot? lol ive known people who have had straps come un done from the old style tie downs. these new ones are much easier to use and a much better design in my opinion. These wont or cant bend like the others can

 

i have decided to go ahead and put the front two in this weekend, so i will get better pics with more of a step by step sequence

 

Oh I hear you on this, I use mine alot and wish I could get a set of new ones. Even the dealer couldn't come up with any believe it or not. Old ones no problem finding. Anyone know where to get these? Junk yards here either don't have them or just don't want to be bothered looking.

 

they cant get them for you? did you ask for ones for an 02? i never even mentioned my truck when i went in and just asked for ones for a newer truck. before i bought mine, i found a site that had them (sorry cant remember it) but i know they are out there. you might try to google, oem ford tie downs or something like that. i know they are out there.

 

After posting I searched deeper to find them at a local (Michigan) Ford dealer and there they were. Pic was a bit off, drawn rather than photo but it looked close and was 3 bux a piece. Came from a 03 S-crew as it's listing. Oddly enough, couldn't find the chrome Harley ones from an 08 or so, but just as well, I'd ruin them anyways.