How hard is it to remove the bed? I was thinking of lifting the bed off to deal with my fuel tank, wondering who has done this before? What are the major headaches of putting it back on, is it hard to get it lined up right again? Will this cause problems? Thought about running a couple straps under it and lifting with bobcat. What do you all think?

 

my 96 was very easy, 8- 15mm bolts

i just tilted mine left to right, i left the right front and right rear bolts in place but just 3 turns in or so. (this will prevent the bed from sliding off) i removed the filler neck, and jacked up the left side. once it was tilted enough to work, i cut 2-2x4's to the length i needed to hold the left front and left rear up from underneath.

the chassis has holes in it so you can get all the bolts with an 18" extension ratchet.

 

On the 1 to 10 scale, I'd say it is a 2.

6 bolts from underneath for the bed mounts. You do not have to take the bed all the way off. Remove the 3 from the tank side, loosen the other 3. Take the fuel door plastic loose, watch for any wiring at the lights.

Two people can lift the bed fine. Block it up a little, and there you have it.

Ed

 

I know it took more than 2 guys to lift my dually bed! But we had to lift it off one truck and then move it to mine. Mine had 8 bolts, easy to line back up. If you plan on taking it all the way off get a couple of saw horses to set it on while you work on the truck. Thats also a good time to do a complete wash of the frame rails and check everything from the top side. I then sanded, primed and painted the frame rails to make it look good. Good luck with it.

 

OK, 8 . was going from memory. It's the first to go.....

Either that or I can't count.

Ed

 

I still think it is easier to drop the tank...unless it is full that is.

3 hoses, 1 connectors, and 2 straps...done

 

Tilting the bed is a snap, that's the reason the dealer never drops the tank to replace a sender.

 

Thanks ya'll. I'm gonna get all the stuff I need and take next weekend to work on it. I'll just prop it up like you say, and clean everything while it's off. Good deal.

 

I also bought new bolts and washers for mine (the heads were very rusty). Make sure you get them from the dealer or get the hardened ones from the parts store. I installed the 8 new bolts with "never seeze" on the threads. After i tightened them, i gave the heads a quick spray of rusty metal primer paint. so, hopefully they will not rust for a while now.

 

Copper Cote doesn't change the torque spec's the way Never size does needs to be reduced by 40% thats way hiway trucks wheels were coming off. Copper Cote lasts longer also.

 

Sounds like you didn't eat your Wheaties. lol Dad and I can carry my dually box. Didn't need any other help.

 

prob easer to just unbolt it and lean it over a bit lol...its no big deal but on a 05 you need some long extensions and a really deep 15mm socket...cause for some reason i remember having to nearly drop the tank to get on of the bolts out! lol but if you got good mechanical sense peice of cake!

 

Ok I forgot to mention on mine, it had a large (2 x 3) 1/2" thick metal plate with a fold down ball still in the bed. so yes it did take more than 2 guys to lift it!