Those (---) fronr bed bolts in tubes are rusted solid!

Ive been fighting for few days now trying to get those last 2 bed bolts out. the two near cab going into tubes. Not a great design. Ive even drilled a hole in each tube to get pb blaster in and around the threads. torch is out of question unless maybe I can get fuel tank removed. right now im dealing with a bum shoulder so need few days off it.

 

After you recover, grind the heads off the damn things. Move the bed, get to work. Not really hard unless you make it hard

 

I was considering but.. If I cut the heads off All I will have is about a 1/4 inch or so of the bolt sticking up out of tube. If impact won't loosen it how will I break it lose with just a vice grip on a round shaft? I'd be afraid to weld a nut on the shaft by the one so close to tank. Id have bed off but no idea to get bolt out then with no head? I'm thinking tank has to come out to do 'anything' at this point.

 

go to thrift store and buy an old blanket to shield the tank or use some tin sheeting if you want. I would just use a little aluminum foil or even a big juice can to make a little shield to weld inside of and keep a fire extinguisher or an old towel close. Not a big deal really if the fumes aren't concentrated.

 

what tool are you trying to use on the bed bolts?

 

I'm using a upright 150 lb max sandborn air compressor. set at 140 lb's with a cp impact.

 

It's called a "heat shield." Flat aluminum sheeting, like an old sign, aluminum sheeting.....good for that. My dad has a stock of such materials. He welded up into his 80's until he just couldn't get around or see well enough.

Fire extinguisher is a must! I like 5 pound CO2 units myself, especially for fires underneath equipment. That way you don't get baking soda powder everywhere. That stuff isn't safe to breathe.

Edit:

One could even flatten out a section of aluminum gutter.....then cut it / bend it around to fit your heat shield needs.

 

I guess you could weld a big nut on them inside the bed and put a pipe wrench and cheater pipe on them to either snap them off or get them out

 

Can also run inert gas through the tank to displace the fuel fumes and oxygen and actually weld a damn tank with liquid fuel inside it if you need to.

 

Here is my plan: cut heads off those 2 front bolts. leave the rusted bolts in the tubes. remove bed and then just replace that whole cross frame. then will have nice clean bolt tubes, etc. I haven't looked but that frame across I think it unbolts? if it is welded then I will re-weld new in place. while bed is off remove tank before welding new in..if bolted maybe not remove tank. Does anyone know that cross section frame part number for 2005 AC? It is the section directly below front of bed that has the tubes. Thanks as always appreciated. I have a feeling no longer available.

 

Well, since you’re also using a 1/2” impact wrench, then i’m surprised that the torx socket hasn’t broke yet.

 

me too. it is the impact one not standard.. but still.

 

I am wondering?.. that cross section of channel that has the tubes for the 2 front bed bolts to go through.. is that part of the truck frame or is it welded to bottom of bed? It it is part of bed the yes.. I can just take heads off those 2 front bolts to get bed off.

 

The bottom of the bed will have formed sheet metal channels spot welded pependicular to the bed floor that give the bed floor stiffness and to keep it ridgid during construction, transport, and final assembly.