Powerman5K Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 Today was exciting as I finally went down to pick out my paint for Shep's restoration. I went with Ford's Brite Blue and Pure White from that generation. I'm still doing some light body work on the truck but hope to be painting in August. Question: I am going to be removing my bed to paint when the time comes. Do you recommend trying to save the bolts or just cut them off and replace? If replacing, anyone have experience with LMC bend bolts? They have a non OEM kit for $10 or I can buy OEM replacements for about $26 each! I don't need them to be OEM so I guess I'll go with the cheaper option. Can I simply buy carriage bolts at the local hardware store? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted July 7, 2023 Author Share Posted July 7, 2023 LMC brand bolts* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 I love those colors!!! On the bed bolts, John/Machspeed went with OEM bolts for a later Ranger, as explained here. No idea what he paid, but I'll tag him and see if he will tell us. As for me, when I had Big Blue's bed bed-lined I tack welded the bolts in. So if I need to remove the bed I can take the nuts off and raise the bed w/o having to remove the bolts. At least that's the theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted July 7, 2023 Author Share Posted July 7, 2023 I love those colors!!! On the bed bolts, John/Machspeed went with OEM bolts for a later Ranger, as explained here. No idea what he paid, but I'll tag him and see if he will tell us. As for me, when I had Big Blue's bed bed-lined I tack welded the bolts in. So if I need to remove the bed I can take the nuts off and raise the bed w/o having to remove the bolts. At least that's the theory. Good idea with the tack welding. No chance I'm paying $26 each for 8 bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted July 8, 2023 Share Posted July 8, 2023 Good idea with the tack welding. No chance I'm paying $26 each for 8 bolts. As Gary said, went with the later model Ranger bed bolts and had the top halves chromed. The thread that Gary left pretty much tells it all. Will you be doing your own paint work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted July 8, 2023 Author Share Posted July 8, 2023 As Gary said, went with the later model Ranger bed bolts and had the top halves chromed. The thread that Gary left pretty much tells it all. Will you be doing your own paint work? I have read the thread thanks for the info. Yes, I'm painting my own truck in my garage. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. This will be the first whole vehicle I've ever painted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted July 8, 2023 Author Share Posted July 8, 2023 As Gary said, went with the later model Ranger bed bolts and had the top halves chromed. The thread that Gary left pretty much tells it all. Will you be doing your own paint work? Do you happen to have a link to these bolts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerman5K Posted July 8, 2023 Author Share Posted July 8, 2023 Do you happen to have a link to these bolts? Never mind, found the link earlier in the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted July 8, 2023 Share Posted July 8, 2023 Yes, I'm painting my own truck in my garage. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. This will be the first whole vehicle I've ever painted. I fully understand the above quote! Good luck in that endeavor and please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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