Removing bolts in the bed

Stop by your local big box hardware store and pick up a Torx T55 socket and stick it on your half inch drive wrench and unscrew it:

Pulled mine and added a D-ring for another tie down point.

 

It requires a T30 driver. Use a T30 driver bit attached to a drill if you want them to come out easily. Do not a T30 screw driver because you'll strip the head off

 

I used a torx bit on a drill and stripped two immediately. I wish I had used a torx screw driver or socket. Took my an hour to dremel a big flat head notch and get them out. Put them back in with the header rail with red loctite, they are NEVER coming out again

 

Maybe this?

Makita E-01018 Impact XPS™ T30 Torx 2" Power Bit, 5/pk

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-01018...1-3-ed8a42d3-65f1-4884-a3a2-0dd6e83b6876&th=1

 

I was only able to remove them with a drill because my screw driver would strip them. I need to Dremel mine out and do the same lol

 

I was at a bad angle and didn’t take my bed cover all the way off, I deserved the ass pain for taking the short cut. Good luck man, it’s the worst feeling when it strips.

also those bolts are in there tight as hell with I think blue loctite from the factory. Ridiculous PITA

 

Definitely not t55, they are bed bolts. I believe they were t27

 

Turns out I have the proper bit and yea they still aren’t moving and they’re beginning to strip. I figured that they had to have something on them to make them that hard to get out.
Any suggestions on my next step?

 

The only way to remove them .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1nDOAyKAPU&ab_channel=KingDavidRC
Best advice is to find the thread pattern and replace them with regular screws.

 

Battery impact wrench worked good for me.

 

If you plan on replacing them check this link out. This requires an Allen wrench to remove and its the same thread pattern. You'll just have to input the length of the screw because idk it.
https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/soc...steel-socket-head-screws-8/thread-pitch~1-mm/
proof of actual thread pattern

 

Another thing about torx bits is that they should never have play or slop when inserted, they fit tight as hell. If there is wiggle room, you have one size too small. Smaller sizes especially trick people into using the wrong bit, and then they do strip out quickly. It’s almost impossible to strip a torx with the right sized bit because they are so precise, none of that slop you get with Allen wrenches

 

Not to hijack the thread, but did you shave the bolt or drill out that D ring? I installed the cali raised ones bc you don’t have to shave the bolt, but I’d prefer something lower profile.

 

I pulled mine to install the Cali front molle panel. I used a 3/8" impact gun and spun them right out. They were replaced with Allen heads that were stainless and a bit longer to account for spacers in the panels. Plan on replacing them if they're already giving you grief.

While you still have a good, solid button head on them, hit them with PB Blaster penetrating spray. I'd dremel a slot across the head and after hitting them lightly with a touch of propane heat, spin them loose with a chisel and hammer to get them broke loose. Just shitcan them afterwards. Anti-seize the new ones.

 

I am not sure. I did this originally on my 2010 Gen2 so more than 10 years ago. I just moved them forward to my 2018 Gen 3. I know I didn't shave the bolt, but I might have drilled out the D ring. Sorry, memory is the second thing to go.

 

Yep. I was ready to suggest this.
When putting on my tonneau and remounting the side rails, I was tightening with one size too small, and was wondering why it was sloppy... Had I been using an impact driver, I am sure I would have stripped them.

 

Curious what area you live in? In the rust belt after a few years its pretty easy to strip anything! And he may have already chewed the head up with the allen key.

OP I've had better luck using an impact in situations like this. You can really lean your body weight into it. You can also pick up something like this pretty cheap to break it free.

TEKTON 3/8" Drive Impact Screwdriver Set (7-Piece) | 2905

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2905-8-Inch-Manual-7-Piece/dp/B000NPPATS?th=1

 

I live in the rust belt - I had to use an impact wrench and bang the bit into the bolt with a rubber mallet. I still ended up stripping one. Used one of these to remove the stripped bolt.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-S...8zphMtx1WSpxmXWzuCRoCXJoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

From the factory, 2/5 of those T30 torx screws were rounded. I ended up drilling them out.

 

Extractors can be great tools but I don't recommend a cheap set. If you're going to buy a set buy a nice set. If you break one of them off in the bolt you're never going to be able to drill through it. I prefer this style over the twist ones.

$43 Williams EXS-30 6-Piece Screw Extractor Set

https://www.amazon.com/Williams-EXS-30-6-Piece-Screw-Extractor/dp/B001DNRJ7A

Also OP this would be a great spot for a quality left hand drill bit.