Removing box question

[Phill]

My 97 Ranger stepside box has 6 Torx head bolts through the floor. If I can get these out how much more work is it to lift this box off for rustproofing? Where is the wiring harness detached? Phil

 

[metalmacguyver]

Those 6 T55 bolts, 3 screws at the fuel filler neck, and one connection for the wiring harness in the very back. It is easiest to disconnect that after lifting the bed a couple inches.

The box can be handled reasonably well by two indivuduals. The hardest part is with out a doubt those 6 bolts. Do everything you can to save them as they cost 10 bucks a piece new from ford.

 

[Boggin]

Well I used a 3/4" Socket/ratchet and a thumb wrench, and I just unscrewed my tailights and slipped out the bulb which the wires are hooked up to and pulled the wires down through the bed and I completely removed the bed my self and Im the youngest member here, its very easy it shouldnt be a problem

 

[pillen140]

PB BLASTER is a must!!!!

 

[RobbieD]

PB BLASTER is a must!!!!

Amen, brother.

Last thing, once you're done, is smear white lithium grease on the bolt threads from underneath (your fingertip or a small brush can reach them). That'll save a lot of aggravation if you ever have to pull it again.

 

[pillen140]

Amen, brother.

Last thing, once you're done, is smear white lithium grease on the bolt threads from underneath (your fingertip or a small brush can reach them). That'll save a lot of aggravation if you ever have to pull it again.

amen to that also! i put grease on the bolts, then covered them with large rubber vacuum plugs. no salt gettin on them things!

 

[dusto2]

Well I used a 3/4" Socket/ratchet and a thumb wrench, and I just unscrewed my tailights and slipped out the bulb which the wires are hooked up to and pulled the wires down through the bed and I completely removed the bed my self and Im the youngest member here, its very easy it shouldnt be a problem

and how did you lift it by yourself,

 

[Phill]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I ordered my T55 socket yesterday. Sounds like a good thing to do. Phil

 

[oldmantruck]

If you have access to a garage or barn with exposed rafters, just use four tie down straps and inch the bed off a little at a time.

 

[CJREX]

I used an engine cherry picker to remove my bed.

 

[superdave1984]

Biggest headache is those cheap crappy clips that the bolts screw into. I broke all but one removing my bed. Go get some nuts to put on the bolts when you put it back on. And grease the hell out of the bolts. I did the bed swap all by myself, wasn't too bad.

 

[lil red]

Those 6 T55 bolts, 3 screws at the fuel filler neck, and one connection for the wiring harness in the very back. It is easiest to disconnect that after lifting the bed a couple inches.

The box can be handled reasonably well by two indivuduals. The hardest part is with out a doubt those 6 bolts. Do everything you can to save them as they cost 10 bucks a piece new from ford.

ya its not hard, but if the truck has been sitting for a while, the bolts are probably shot
the threads were gone exept where the bolt was in the speed nut

allot of pb blaster over like 2 days, every 2 hours, and let it sit in the sun
and they come out pretty easily, atleast they did for me