I'm interested in getting a Line-X bedliner and have seen pictures on here where people have had their bed bolts removed before spraying.

Is this a good idea? Does the extra depth of the liner mess up how the bolts seat the bed to the frame? Is there any reason not to spray the bolts? Why would I ever need to remove them in the future? Does it cost more to have them removed before spraying?

I know I will probably be asked by the Line-X dealer when I take it in....just need some background info. Thanks.

 

Definatly have them take them out.

 

If you keep your truck well after the warranty expires, it's a lot easier to service the fuel pump/sender assembly by removing the bed bolts and getting a couple guys to hoss up on it while sticking a 2x4 underneath to hold it up.

 

I don't see a point why you would spray over them and theres no downfall to having them removed.

 

Too late for me. Rhino was sprayed over the bolts. But, I've never had a reason to remove the bed in any of my trucks. I don't see why the bed can't be pulled with the bolts glued to it though.

Quintin, are you saying guys actually pull the bed off just to get the sending unit out?Sounds like a PITA, wouldn't it be easier to drop the tank?

 

I think it is. Four or six bolts, get two guys to lift up on the passenger's side of the bed, stick a 2x4 between the frame rail and the bed and you're right there. The tank itself is pretty big and cumbersome, and it's that much worse to deal with if it's got over half a tank of gas in it or so.

 

The guys at your LineX dealer will remove the bolts when you take it in. It's part of the prep before they spray. My dealer won't spray the bed bolts because future removal of the box is impossible, or at least more work then it should be. This could be important if you have an accident that warrants removing the box for proper repair.

 

Sorry Quintin, if the sender or pump need service, then you would drop the tank to do it. Think about it, two straps, a couple of fuel lines and it's out. As for any fuel in the tank the tech would simply pump out enough to make it easy to handle.

 

I've had three new Ford trucks, one with a drop-in liner and two with Linex. In all three (including my new 05), the bed wasn't lined up right with the body. Look down the side of the truck from each side, checking for alignment, then check the gap on each side between the box and the cab. Don't be surprised if you find the bed needs adjusting. The only way to do this is by loosening the bed bolts and shoving the bed around for a better fit. You won't be able to do this if the Linex is sprayed over the bolts. Just one more reason to have the bed bolts removed before spraying.......

 

I had mine sprayed,, didn't want them to fool around with the bed bolts and worry that they not tighten them correctly when done,, box is aligned perfect now and want to leave it alone,, also had three f150's,, never had the box off on any of them,, if box had to come off i'm sure there are solvents out there to remove around bolt area with a little elbow grease,, just my thought,,jop

 

You might, I don't. In my experience:

• Sometimes, access to a lift isn't available. I can change a fuel sender in a dead stall by unbolting the bed.
• Uncle Henry doesn't pay technicians under warranty to drain a fuel tank to replace the sender. And I'm sure as a customer, you probably wouldn't be very happy for a tech to charge you if it was customer pay to drain your gas tank.
• Fuel tanks are clumsy and cumbersome, regardless of whether they got fuel in them or not. Additionally, access to a jack to hold the tank may not be available all the time. Sure, I could wait, but time costs money. You'd have to drop a 20ish gallon tank in the floor that was half full to understand...ask me how I know.
• For the do-it-yourselfers at home, lying on the ground while trying to support a 27 or 38 (I think?) gallon tank, which again may or may not have fuel in it, isn't my idea of a good time.
• Not everyone has the proper pump and storage rig to effectively drain the fuel tank. Sure, I could drain it by siphoning it out, but I don't like the taste of 87. Or assuming the fuel pump is operational, I could run it with the scan tool with the line at the fuel filter disconnected into a storage vessel. But in either case, I'd have to dump it back into the tank when I'm done and that takes more time. Time costs money.

I guess it's all relative. I've just about always done fuel senders, pumps, and/or tanks in pickups by unbolting the bed and holding it up with a block of wood.

 

aren't truck beds big and cumbersome, too?

And for the DIYer at home, or you, specifically, do you consider it a good time to jack up the bed instead?

 

I get your point, but I don't agree with it in the least. Fuel pumps and senders are replaced by dropping the tank, with the exeption of some imports, that's why there are only a couple straps that hold it up. This keeps it somewhat accessable. As for pumping out the fuel. this is considered part of the job and is included in the estimate you get before work starts. It would cost the same if you towed it in with the tank empty.

 

Last Saturday I had the line-x liner sprayed in and the results are amazing.

When I went to pick up my truck I saw that they had coated the heads of the bed bolts because they were already becoming covered with surface rust . They said that they took them out and shot the bed and bolts separately.


before


after

I might be wrong but I think they remove the bolts so that they can coat the problem areas that usually develop rust not to make it easier to remove the bed later.
Ox

 

If my sender went out under warranty and I happened to have a full tank at the time, they'd play hell getting me to pay for draining the tank.