Worst “Mod” I’ve Done: Aftermarket Bed Bolts

[New recaros]

I think the factory bolts are galvanized bolts. The aftermarket bolts are just steal bolts. Since the whole bolts is covered in corrosion I doubt you have dissimilar metal corrosion.

 

[Ellison3]

I think the factory bolts are galvanized bolts. The aftermarket bolts are just steal bolts. Since the whole bolts is covered in corrosion I doubt you have dissimilar metal corrosion.

Good point…

 

[MAMiller44]

They do look slightly different.

You’re prolly seeing the tapered threading on the factory bolt versus the full threading on the aftermarket. The factory bolts are self tapping because the nuts are not threaded.

 

[New recaros]

If the corrosion is dissimilar, then you should check the frame holes for metal loss. In this example you have a galvanized bolts and nut with a steel locking nut. You are reverse of this, but your butted up against a steel frame with the galvanized nut.

 

[New recaros]

You’re prolly seeing the tapered threading on the factory bolt versus the full threading on the aftermarket. The factory bolts are self tapping because the nuts are not threaded.

What is that made of?

 

[MAMiller44]

I think the factory bolts are galvanized bolts. The aftermarket bolts are just steal bolts. Since the whole bolts is covered in corrosion I doubt you have dissimilar metal corrosion.

It is absolutely dissimilar metal corrosion, only the threading right near the nut corroded. In the original pic the factory galvanized bolt is the gray one. The grade 10.9 SS bolts with the head grinded off are aftermarket with the factory galvanized nuts seized on.

 

[Jakenbake]

It is absolutely dissimilar metal corrosion, only the threading right near the nut corroded. In the original pic the factory galvanized bolt is the gray one. The grade 10.9 SS bolts with the head grinded off are aftermarket with the factory galvanized nuts seized on.

You replacement bolts were stainless? 10.9 would be steel, we’ll an alloy or whatever, but then usually zinc coated I think yours would be yellow zinc.

I’m not a corrosion specialist but I would imagine HDG and yellow zinc wouldn’t be too far off on the galvanic scale.

Did you reuse the original frame clips when you swapped bolts or did you do new ones?

 

[toolmanglenn]

Just a PSA. I replaced 4 bed bolts with aftermarket ones a year ago, replaced 2 with factory ones. Used anti-seize properly and here’s what they look like. I’ve been spending all day cutting, grinding, and meticulously trying to lift and lower the bed for access to get the aftermarket ones out which are of course on the center mounting points which is nearly impossible to deal with in this situation.

The problem is that aftermarket bed bolts still use the factory nuts, and the metals corrode like crazy together. Moral of the story…if you go aftermarket bolts, modify the mounting points to accept aftermarket nuts of the same and make sure you have a friend if you have to loosen/tighten in the future. I’m going back to the factory ones and just continuing to plan to throw them away with each use. The bolts and nuts are cheap from Ford at only $3-$4 a piece.

Just use Stainless Steel Hardware and you’ll never have any issues assembling or disassembling !

 

[New recaros]

It is absolutely dissimilar metal corrosion, only the threading right near the nut corroded. In the original pic the factory galvanized bolt is the gray one. The grade 10.9 SS bolts with the head grinded off are aftermarket with the factory galvanized nuts seized on.

SS bolt? That looks like zink plated grade 8 bolt. Never saw a yellow stainless bolt.

 

[MAMiller44]

SS bolt? That looks like zink plated grade 8 bolt. Never saw a yellow stainless bolt.

Sorry mis-spoke on SS. Yes, it's zinc plated but grade 10.9.