Bed rail screw size - odd little beast with two diameter?

Talking about the torx screws with the T-30 heads that hold on the bed rail. Well the track thingie. Fortunately they are coming off nice and easy. Not bad for 12 years.

I am removing the bed rail and will probably not put it back but want to preserve the screws as they are in good shape. In the meanwhile before my truck goes in for line x I want to put in some screws of proper thread to keep the threads from getting gunked up and then may hold some fixed D-rings to the bed in their place after line-x.

The fact that part of the screw is thinner at the bottom and thicker at the top - is that just to keep me from stripping threads as I feed them in? What size and metal should I buy for this? (SS, are these black oxide SS?) should I put anti seize on them as I feed them in?

I see some other threads but my Tundra is a 2nd generation 2007 so for all i know they use different threads for the rail system.

 

They are thinner at the bottom to help guide them. It's basically a pilot.
If you line X you will have to chase the threads with a tap should you decide to reinstall the rails. I'd thread them back in the hole to keep the Line x out of the holes. Might want to mask the head so you can get the wrench back in it once complete.

 

I was definitely going to have screws inserted into the holes during linex - but was hoping to find another screw I could use so would not have to mask the heads. But I will if I need to. Don't want to risk messing up the threads.

 

Just put some tape on top. They know what to do. Main thing is keep the goop out of the torx hole or you'll be digging it out. Put a spitball, dab of RTV or something. Only takes a couple of minutes

 

Also, snug up just enough and leave them so you know where they are in case you want to reinstall. They are pretty unique

 

They're M6 x 1.0 machine screws. I would put some screws back in the holes before you have the bed sprayed. You should be able to pick up a dozen for a couple of bucks at a hardware store. Put a dab of anti seize on them and run them in part way. That's the best way to keep the holes clear of liner material and when the truck is done you can turn them out with pliers or vice grips and replace them with your factory torx screws.

 

I did just that. The anti seize is magical stuff. LOL My husband has his own business where he buys and sells supplies (clips / fasteners) to body shop and he just rolled his eyes when I said I need a M6 x 1.0 screw. Tossed me a box - they are even coated the same way and have the same thread design only have a hex head. Said most of his customers call them 10mm because of the socket size but that they are 6mm and started talking about pitch and the screw design and what not. Also pulled one of the bed rail caps to do some minor paint repair where the camper shell sat and rubbed off paint. Beginning to feel like I can do more than I give myself credit for.

 

Nice job! Anti seize is great stuff, just don't get it on your fingers and scratch your nose, you'll look like the tin man

 

mmmmm hmmmmm i wound up looking like "wife of tin man" to be sure. A little bit sure goes a long way. My 4 oz jar is probably a lifetime supply.

 

i feel like i read somewhere that someone just plug the holes with golf tees but i have no first hand info on that. seems like it'd work though...