Bed Stiffeners

[OldManJack]

Installed one Victory 4x4 bed stiffener for my Tacoma. When I tried to install the second one, I buggered up the head of the truck bed floor mounting bolt.

I thought I’d cut a slit in the head of the bolt all the way across the top and then take a cold chisel and a hammer to break it free. Anyone have any other ideas on how to remove this bolt? It’s 4.5” long.

 

[F150RCSB]

Wonder if this would help, damaged Torx remover, I just saw the exact thing today at the auto parts store when I was picking up plugs & almost bought it just to have but figured I was spending enough already. I don't know what the difference is between that & a regular screw extractor. On the flip side just about every bed bolt I've had to remove has required heat due to corrosion on the road side.

 

[OldManJack]

Your spot on with the heat. I knew better but got lazy. Heat is exactly what I should have applied before I even started. That was my mistake and now it’s costing me time and money.

I will check the extractor out if this don’t work. Thanks!

 

[F150RCSB]

Your spot on with the heat. I knew better but got lazy. Heat is exactly what I should have applied before I even started. That was my mistake and now it’s costing me time and money.

I will check the extractor out if this don’t work. Thanks!

You might still get away with a little heat and a lite duty impact. Also if you have the extra torx bit to spare grind it flat on the end. Good luck , that's always a bummer.

 

[OldManJack]

Another friend suggested to cut the head off and the using vice grips turn the bolt out from underneath. He thinks the bolt is too long just trying to turn it after modifying the head.

Gonna try and try some more til I get that stinker out of there.

 

[B-R]

If you can get to where it’s treaded into the frame or nut PB Blaster and let soak at least a day then weld a oversized nut to the head of the bolt

between the PB Blaster and the heat from welding it should back out

This has worked for me before best of luck

 

[smritte]

^^^^^This^^^^^^^
Weld a big nut on top. 5/8" - 3/4 " Hit the center with a mig and turn it that way. I've had to do that a bunch of times.

 

[slomatt]

+1 to welding on a nut, but if you don't have a welder is the bolt's head thick enough that you could grind to sides flat (and parallel) and use an adjustable wrench on it? Heat and/or liquid wrench would help.

 

[OldManJack]

Great ideas. It’s gonna be a combination of these great ideas.

I wish I had a welder, but unfortunately I don’t. That’s my future addition to my garage!

What sounds plausible for my situation is I think I’m going to cut the head into a square. Soak w/ PB Blaster. Add some heat and then using an impact wrench try to turn this bolt out.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[Jim SoG]

Love the welding idea....

 

[OldManJack]

Well, I was able to get the bolt out by cutting the bolt head into a square shape, spraying JB Blaster down the bolt and using a pair of large channel locks.

I now have both bed stiffeners in place. Thanks to everyone for the ideas!