Bed Problem

[KMSCD]

I only have three bolts holding my bed on. I was told the bolts are 18mm by lengths 4. 25" (front), 3" (middle) and 3. 5" (rear). I cannot find a place in town or online that sells bolts that size and Ford wants $22. 00 a piece! Anyone have any suggestions? What would be the closest (slightly larger) size to 18mm in inches?

 

[B.G. Smith]

3/4" would be the next size larger, about . 030. The bolts are probably a class 5 or 7. bg

 

[KMSCD]

Thanks. I need to unload the stuff in my bed and roll back the mat so I can see where the heck the bolts are because I couldn't see them while I was under the truck today... just seems like 18mm is awfully big. I couldn't find carriage bolts in that diameter but I guess it doesn't really matter. Hopefully, I'll be able to completely replace the bed next summer.

 

[rbattelle]

What's the thread pitch? You may have noticed Machinery's Handbook doesn't list a standard metric screw in M18 nominal diameter, but does list M18x1. 5 as a standard metric thread specification.

Are you certain this bolt is M18? Are the numbers you provided from Ford? It would be extremely odd to specify a bolt with a metric major diamter and English length.

Ryan

 

[nickleinonen]

M18 bolts for bed hold down hardware??? that seems pretty big. . maybe M12 hardware. . they have a 18mm head on them...

 

[KMSCD]

18mm was what a guy on The Diesel Stop told me. I finally got all the crap out of my bed and took a drill gauge out there. It looks like the bolts are about 11. 51 or 11. 91mm. I need to actually pull one of the bolts out. I thought the bedliner would be much harder than it was but I was able to take a razor and cut the top of the bolt. I don't have any plans this weekend other than tinkering on the truck, cleaning up the Power Stroke so I can sell the thing, and working my small business. I'll have plenty of time to changed out my bed bolts and do the 5 other things I've been wanting to do over the 4-day weekend.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

I ordered some new metric bolts from Grainger.com for my cab. Sorry, I don't remember the size.



Dan

 

[jwgary]

I always order fasteners from McMaster-Carr. They have an excelent search feature where you can narrow down exactly what you want.

 

[KMSCD]

I'll see what Home Depot or Lowe's has for me. Thank goodness for service manuals. I forgot I even had it because it was buried in one of my boxes that I hadn't unpacked after I moved!

 

[JCrockett]

Check Fire and Fastners there in Anchorage, they will have what you need, or close to it anyway. THey are on International I believe.

 

[KMSCD]

Yeah, I've been there before. Someone also said to try AIH, they may have SS carriage bolts...