Bed removing

[Josh B]

I went under my truck to inspect the bed bolts and other things, but this is what my bolts look like:

View attachment 87979

And I have 4 bonus bolts, 10 in total, all T55. I tried turning one of them and with a breaker bar it's pretty easy, I might be able to get away with keeping the original hardware, but let me know what you guys think.

Looks like they need to be a bit longer

I'm thinking of using the frame I built to pull the engine to lift the bed

 

[Lefty]

And while you are thinking about removing the bed, consider painting the frame with POR 15 or some other paint. Your frame is in very good condition but it would keep things looking sharp.

 

[RonD]

Hope that's primer, RED Rangers are the best

 

[Lefty]

Hope that's primer, RED Rangers are the best

This was just the first time I took the bed off and took a good hard look at the rust. I sand blasted the rough stuff off then coated the frame and the bottom side of the bed with POR15. This was an which rides rather high, so I lowered the back end by one inch. I've also painted the exhaust system with Rustoleum exhaust paint. I've had good luck with this product. It still looks good after a winter.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've had the bed off my '90 a handful of times and it's been fine, similar with the '97, spray the bolts you can get to with oil for good measure from the bottom to help out... If you have an engine hoist or something sticking a 2x4 under the bed rails at the balance point and lifting straight up works pretty nifty but two people can lift the bed pretty easy lifting at the wheel wells, even easier with the tailgate off.

Yeah, bed bolts are T55, gas filler neck is 7mm and unplug the tail light connector near the rear drivers side bumper mount. I usually just break the bed bolts loose with a long breaker bar (18" or so depending on how much they resist) then a 1/2" drive ratchet...

 

[racsan]

Ive had the bed off every ranger Ive owned except for the first one. Its the best way to replace spring hangers & deal with a fuel pump. I always coat the bed bolts in antisieze when I put it back together, makes that “next time” a bit easier.

 

[oldgeek]

Ive had the bed off every ranger Ive owned except for the first one. Its the best way to replace spring hangers & deal with a fuel pump. I always coat the bed bolts in antisieze when I put it back together, makes that “next time” a bit easier.

I also found it much more convenient to replace the pinion seal and differential plate seal while the bed is off. I also used it as an opportunity to work over the back brakes. Although, with the bed off, you don't have anything handy to beat your head against when that one brake spring slips away for the fourth time.