Bed Removal

Hello, brand new to this forum and I figured I’d ask here because all the videos out there haven’t been very informative. My fuel gauge acts funny. I’ll fill it up it’ll mark full and then the needle will drop down to empty. After some time it’ll go back up to half or a quarter and stay there and it just fluctuates like that and I never really know how much fuel I have left. So my plan is to put a new fuel pump and sending unit in. I’m trying to take the bed off but the last two rear bolts have me stumped. This bolt right here I can’t figure out how to take out. I took the front two out with an impact and the middle two I had to cut off because the bolt would spin but wouldn’t come out because I’m guessing the nut holding the bolt was welded inside of where it was. I figured I’ve come this far with only two bolts left to take out that I don’t wanna give up on this. I’ve tried a wrench/ socket ratchet but I feel as if I don’t have to strength to loosen or a good vantage point to do it myself and the socket for the impact is too big to fit good in that space. I’m 5’3” and have short arms that I can’t do it laying down or half sitting up. Should I try and remove the hitch and bumper? Any info would be GREATLY appreciated

 

Can you access the bolt head up top with a box end wrench? If so, you could probably wedge the box end wrench on the bolt head to hold it in place and then attack the bottom nut with a large breaker bar (a little penetrant of your choice + heat may help that be easier).

 

The top of that bolt looks like this (64189A):



The nut attaches from the bottom, as shown in your picture. It should be that as you loosen the nut, the bolt head spins until the flange on the head rotates enough to hit a piece of metal on the bed, and then that holds the bolt in place while the nut is removed. This works for tightening it too, and you can see that it's up against a metal bit of the bed from the previous tightening procedure.

If the flanged head and bolt shaft (a press fit with knurling to keep them together) have separated, so the bolt shaft spins indefinitely as the nut is loosened, then your only hope is going to be cutting it off. Do that on the nut side of the washer, so you don't mess up your frame.

 

That bolt in particular seems to get extra rusty. I ended up just cutting mine. Just be aware that they’re like $50 for a set from the dealer, so if you can find a way to save them, that’s a real win.

 

I ended up cutting the bolts off and removed the bed. Thanks for the advice!