Bed bolts stuck

07 access cab.

I had 5 of 8 bed bolts loose. One completely lost its nut, and the other four were probably 5 threads backed out. Managed to get one of them to start moving and eventually tightened down, which leaves me with three I need to get moving. It looks like they feed into a bolt welded to the frame. We tried WD40, breaker bar, vice grips, and an impact. They wouldn't budge either direction. I have a Torx bit that fits the bolt but it won't stay put because the bolt head is so shallow. It's a terrible design. I'd like to just get them all out and replace them with different bolts and nuts, but if I could get them tight that would be ok. The one that is completely out is too rusty on the threads to get a new nut. I bought two new bolts from the dealer a while back and they're 1/2" shorter than the original and don't even stick through far enough to start threading on a nut

Anyone had to deal with this? The truck has gotten pretty rattly. This all started not too long after the bed was replaced after a wreck a few years back. I had a load shift incident.

 

Acetone and ATF, 50%/50%. Better than any penetrating oil you can buy.

 

well that's interesting..

 

will the acetone jack up the composite bed?

 

Good question! I doubt it but it's certainly possible. Probably best to do a test patch at an out of the way location somewhere on the underside of the bed. Maybe soak a cotton ball then keep it in contact with the bed material? Check for softening and discoloration every few minutes then every half an hour then every hour.

 

This,

or aerokroil.

 

I busted a nut loose from its tack weld, and ended up cutting the bolt off, getting a bolt from the dealer and a nut from Grainger. Then wound up taking them all out and using anti sieze after that, just to be safe.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-bolt-issue-question-about-mount.180666/#post-10538744

 

Couple of mine were pretty bad too. Fluid Filmed them. Impact wrench, breaker bar. Did it all. Use a good penetrating fluid, that helps.
I won....eventually.

 

It appears that CSP 834A1 structural SMC, which is a resin blend containing vinyl-ester resin, is (was?) approved by Toyota for manufacture of OEM Tacoma beds. No clue what propriety resins are included and nothing I can specifically find about that formulation's chemical resistance. So, acetone may or may not cause damage. The shitbirds should be required to publish that type of information. Maybe they have and I just can't find it within ten minutes between meetings.

 

Thanks all. One thing we didnt try was the 3/4" impact. Didnt have a 3/4 to 3/8 adapter for the bit. I'll lube the crap out of them and go try again.