Noisy bed

[JPLB22]

I just recently noticed that when I go over moderate bumps ( such as entering the driveway at home, or man hole covers ) at slow speeds, I'm getting an annoying rattle from the rear of the truck. I can hear it with the windows down or up. I've checked everything I store under rear seat to make sure it couldn't be that. Besides with the windows down it definately sounds like something external.



I've tightened all bed mounting bolts, which were tight to begin with. Other than those bolts I could not see anything that would be the culprit. It is very annoying, sounds like I'm driving my rattly old '76 Ford when going over bumps, not my $38,000 Dodge.



P. S. It seems this truck only has 4 bed mounting bolts, I could have sworn my '02 had 6 ??



TIA



Jeff

 

[Stretch]

I may be wrong here, but could it be the springs if you're not under a load? I have the same noise in mine. It was also present in my 98 V10 Quad Short Bed.



Lemme know,

 

[BILLUA]

Check the straps that hold the fuel tank on... They are 15mm and you need a deep well socket not fully pressed onto the extension. I noticed my rattle went away after I did SpooedUps fuel tank vent mod (which I highly recommend)



Let us know what you find out so that others may learn. .



Cheers, Bill

 

[JPLB22]

It'll be Friday before I have a chance to do anything on the truck. But I will try tightening the fuel tank straps and see if that helps. I will also have to do some research on the fuel tank vent mod, since I'm not familiar.



I don't think it would be the springs because, I've put about 8,000 mostly unloaded miles on the truck since I bought it used and am pretty sure the rattle has started within the last 500 - 1000 miles. But I could be wrong though, is there anything I can tighten on or around the springs, just in case ?



Jeff

 

[Mathew Clausen]

Hitch?

You don't have a hitch in the reciever by chance . . ?

 

[T Peterson]

Check the spare tire, mine was just a little loose and made a nice clunk.

 

[JPLB22]

Nope, no hitch in the reciever.



I will check the spare also.



Jeff

 

[ohnoitsyu]

The clanking sound I get in my 2nd gen is from the tailgate hanger cables. You may try looking into those as well.



A friend of mine had a noise in his brand new 3rd gen. It was the plastic bed liner bouncing. I'm not sure what he did to stop it, or if it eventually stopped on it's own.

 

[thomase]

Actually that bed has 8 bolts holding it to the truck frame. You may want to check the other four to make sure they are tight also.

 

[JPLB22]

Well I checked the spare tire by lowering it and re-raising it up to snug. And that wasn't it. I have been real busy at work so have had no time to get under the bed yet. But when I do, if I find the rattle culprit I will report back.



Jeff