I bought a Bed extender off Ebay a while back.. it didn't include the mounting hardware but I have since bought that from the ford lot.. The little ***** that the extender clicks on too are threaded and are suppose to thread into the side of the bed... But here lies the problem.. the holes in my bed have the little collar welded in place like the supercrew beds have but the collars are not threaded... so

Has anyone added a bed extender to their 5.5' bed yet (actual ford one)
if so did I get wrong parts or do I have to thread the collar with a tap and die set?

Please help and thanks in advance

 

anyone?

 

I bought a Westin (AMP Research) Bed X-tender on line and installed it Sunday in my 04 XLT 6.5' bed. I had to drill holes to put in the brackets that held the cage. I have a bedliner installed and put the brackets over top of those. There was no pre-drilled holes or anything that I was aware of on the longer bed.

 

The ford bed extender dors not have thereaded bolts.
The bed holes are designed for a spring loaded pin.
That is why the holes have no thereds.You may need
different parts for your extender.

Mike

 

Dr. No

there are 3 holes in each side of the bed... the top and bottom ones are for the little plastic things where the spring pin goes in.. but the middle one is where the pins (look like the little bar with a hex key hole that a door latches too or tailgate latch) go to hold the extender to the truck and act as the pivot point... On long beds (6.5' and 8') I've noticed that the middle hole looks alot like the top and bottom.. but mine has a collar welded inside that looks like it is ment to hold something.. but the pins are threaded and the hole isn't.. and it is an actual ford extender out off an 04... but I bought the pins seperate from the dealer... and they don't thread in since the bed isn't...

I'm still confused... but I hope this clarifies..

Thanks
Chris

 

Ok for anyone that might run into this problem.. the solution that I got to work is I decided to try and Tap the holes with a 10mm x 1.5 tap and it worked.. the pins screwed right in.. all is well and I have a bed extender that works.

 

I've been researching the bed extender option for my '04 Lariat Scab with the 6.5' bed. ctupton, you're right on ther money about the lack of an insert in the middle hole on the 6.5' and 8' beds. Only the 5.5' bed has one and it appears to be welded in from the back. I have an aftermarket extender on my '01 with the 6.5' and use it frequently, but want to use the factory one on my new truck. It's a really nice looking piece. Hopefully Ford has some kind of push-in insert to add one to the other beds. There has to be more than just a couple of people out there who want one.

Check this out. As a factory option on the '04 Screw, the bed extender is $195 MSRP and $166 at invoice. The parts department wants $387!!! Talk about a total rip!

ctupton, how much did yours run you on Ebay, if you don't mind me asking?

 

Don't mind at all... I think I got it for 86.50 plus shipping but it didn't come with the pins or the plastic grommets... those where 8.50 for each pin (need 2 of them) and 7 bucks for each plastic grommet thing (need 4) so I'm right at 131.50 + shipping before needing to buy a tap

got the extender from a seller named
classix44

I've seen that person have several other ones.

 

ctupton,

Thanks for the info. I seems the Mr. classix44 on Ebay is out of them for now. Bummer. I'll keep checking back from time to time. For that price I'll keep my fingers crossed that he gets another....

BTW, where did you score the extra parts?

 

I just got the rest from the Ford house in the parts department

 

Not sure if this will help anyone's cause but, I thought I'd attach the picture along with the thread incase someone is searching...




I know the pic is small but, I have a better copy available if anyone wants it... email me if needed. Link in signature line.

RP