The bed bolts are often very difficult to remove. You'll find the task a lot easier if you use an impact driver; the tool that's about 1.5" diameter and 8 incheds long that you hit wih a hammer to loosen it. Sears sells 'em and so does every motorcycle shop. You can't get to the bottom of all of them with liquid wrench and I think the factory used salt water as a lubricant to install them. I had to grind the head off one and remove the rest of the bolt once the bed was off. Lots of liquid wrench and a stud remover for that one. Other than the bolts, the removal process is easy.

 

Don't forget to pull the breather hose that runs from the axle to the bottom of the bed...

 

Yup, I have one in my shop. Great for exhaust bolts.

 

ford has some kind of locktite they use and its some super stuff... but add in road grime and corrosion just makes it worse.. Friends 05 ranger brand new i had a time getting some to bust loose when we took the bed off to do his air ride suspenison and custom 4link

 

when i pulled my bed, i didnt know about the axle vent tubing, broke the clip, no biggie tho, Scratched my cab, a little pissed about that one, but the whole truck has scratches and chips anyways.

Hadnt heard anyone else mention it, but there are (on my bed) braces just infront of and just behind the wheel well, three bolts a piece. Just a tubular piece of steel that bolts to the under side of bed and a cross member i believe.
-Patrick

 

long day, just got home. I'll put a post up with some pics tomorrow. Some ups and downs, but I'll have a good how to for people that have never done it before.

 

Done it twice .
Once with the three helpers to change fuel pumps.
The second time with a engine hoist and four tiedowns and just me.
Take off the rear bumper.
I tried to do it without removing it and caused more problems than the four bolts could have ever been.