bigdan002001

Hey everyone I am in the process of removing my short box on my 2013 crew cab F150 and am at a standstill cause I can't get the front second row bolts out. I have the very front 2 out and the back 2 nearly out but the second row go inside the boxed frame where I cannot get a wrench on the nut to hold them to turn the bolts out. The clips are obviously broken cause the bolts just turn round and round. Is there a special tool to fit through the tiny holes in the frame to hold them? This is been a royal pain.
Thanks
​​​​​​​Dan

techrep

iTrader: (1)

May be easier to just cut them or grind them off and replace.

bigdan002001

Don't see how grinding head off will solve anything. Bed has to slide back before lifting to keep from hitting cab. If grid off head then would have to pick box straight up like 4 inches to clear bolts. So that won't work either. Plus bed is line-x and don't wanna mess up finish. Can't touch bottom side cause they are encapsulated inside of enclosed boxed frame rail.
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Pirate Tom

Unfortunately, I'd say the same thing as techrep. I've run into this several times, and only do it if I have to, but tape around the bolt to protect the bed as best as possible, then grind the bolt head off. Once the head is off, use a large punch and hammer. (BIG Hammer) and punch the bolt down. If the clips already trash, no harm in breaking it some more. Then once you get the bed off, you replace the clip with new, along with the bolt. Typically they've got a square hole that was used to insert the clip in the first place. Grab a can of aerosol bed liner to touch up anything you may have nicked with the grinder. Of course, if it's not being held on with a J-clip, and was supposed to be a welded on nut... have to use a cutting disc and welder to fab one up and put in.

Meathead

iTrader: (2)

Cut the heads off. No way around it.

bigdan002001

I thought about taking a whole saw and enlarging the round hole that's in the side of the frame so I can fit the 18mm deep socket up in there and hold the nut. Yes they are factory clips. Looks as if they didn't change out clips when they removed bed bolts when they did the line-x like they should have done which weakened the tabs that hold the nut from spinning.

jhelrey

Can you slide a sawzall blade between the bed and the frame and cut the bolts? My truck isn't in front of me so if it is a stupid idea, no need to explain it to me.

bigdan002001

I thought about that too but don't think I've got the room to position it up in there and cut straight plus bed is tight to frame. Don't want to cut hole in bottom of bed either. Good thought though.

Blondie70

Weld something (nut or the like) onto the top of the bolt to hold from turning....do each one. A nut you could tack from the inside and not splatter up the bed.

Pirate Tom

If he's going to have to chop the bolts. Anyone know a good source of them? I know it's a bear to track 'em down for the 87. I haven't been able to source any yet. Probably end up fabbing some together from other over sized bolts.