Those damn rusty bed bolts...no more!

Would’ve been easier to buy a bed mat. Looks good though!

 

I used spray-on bedliner.. has held up very well.

 

Hi Winkel and Richie Rich,
Thanks for your replies - sorry for the delay; I'm new to this site and need to check it more often! Considering a mat since I'll be hauling firewood and belgium block amongst other bed wreckers! But I also hate rust on my vehicles (not a lot of snow+salt in the metro NY area, thank God) The Evaporust rec'nd is a . Thanx

 

Thanks crx7, I was wondering why Toyota didn't install them in the first place. Well, $$ for one thing. But still, considering the size of the bolts, I would think that the stainless would hold down the bed liner just fine. There really isn't a lot of force against the bolts, and I've always had success using SS for outdoor construction and restoration.

 

I have a bed mat and rarely see mine. However, I will say this. The real culprit is not what you see...but rather what you don't.

If you haven't done this....do it. Get a torx bit and remove them one by one and apply some grease or antiseize. If you have an older one and live in an environment with lots of salt use it may be too late

 

I made sure of it when I did my body lift. Plan on doing the extra bed tie downs.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-rear-bumper-and-hitch-bolt-sizes.640320/

 

I was actually contemplating buying some SS bed bolts and washers in bulk and polishing them and selling them.

Stock bed bolts are not grade 5 or 8. They're just regular bolts.

 

How do you know this? Where is it published? I can't find any specs on the replacement OEM bolts. Most all OEM bolts I have pulled off of vehicles have been Grade 5. I've actually never seen a cheap regular bolt on an OEM automotive application.

I've had stainless steel bolts snap on me pretty easy, especially with repeat torquing.

Why?
The threads of these are exposed under the bed of the truck. If you ever want to need to remove the bed, or add tie down rings you will need to remove these. If the head of he bolt is overly rusty, you will have trouble stripping the head. Additionally if the threads are very rusty you will have trouble getting the bolts out. I wire wheeled the accessible portions of mine in place, sprayed with penetrant and got them out. If you leave them to rust, you will never get them out.

To me, rust is not a visual thing but a functional, you leave things to rust and they will never come off. Thus, throwing a bed mat over them is Not fixing the issue, but simply covering it up.

 

I know it because a pipe wrench marred the stock bed bolts. If they were hardened they wouldn't have marred nearly as easily.

Guess what hardware is used on boats (that go into saltwater!)? Stainless Steel. Use anti-sieze and there won't be a problem.

Yes, I've worked with stainless steel hardware a LOT.

 

Well then find us a nice rated strong set for our bed bolts and I'm sure plenty will use them. Otherwise I'm sticking with the stock ones I have with paint on the head and anti-seize on the threads.

 

Hey OP and other guys doing this. When u clean them up with the brush do you use wd40 or anything on it to help with the clean up or just straight dry brush? Looks like a good weekend job

 

Paint will not stick and fish eye if there is any WD40 or similar lubricant used on them. Hit them with a wire brush and some type of degreaser and let it dry, that’s all you’ll need before paint.

 

Like gunk brand engine degreaser ? Does the paint need to be enamel like the products the OP posted in his picture ? Want to get the right kind and don’t know much about paint and metal. Will prob also throw a bed mat over the job soon lol

 

You will only need degreaser if you wipe them with some type of lubricant or they had contact with something. If not just scuffing then and wiping them with a clean rag or blowing them off should be fine. Enamel will work fine. Anything that will adhere to metal.

 

At Lowe’s and trying to find the 3m coarse sponge for metal and can’t for the life of me find it. Asked an associate who was kind of a dick lol. Anyone have a link or any tips on where to find ?

 

Use the app to try and search for it. Make sure you turn on so it’s only searching for stuff that’s in stock at your local store. If you find it and click it it will show you what aisle and bin it’s located in


Something like this wire brush will work good. You can attach it to a battery drill and have the scuffed you in a few minutes. Take note of how it shows you the aisle and location. Your store will vary so check the app and see what they have and where it’s located

 

Yeah I’ve got a full wire brush kit and the attachments for my drill just thought he said that coarse sponge did a better job for him. Hell I bought a bed mat last night also with a super deal so I just wanna touch these daddies up slightly before I cover them up for good haha. Figure it’ll be a little fun weekend project if the rain can hold off haha

 

How long do u guys wait in between coats on this ?

 

And how long before doing the clear over the black? And in between clears? Thanks