I took the bed off of my 2005 Dakota Extended cab yesterday so I could get rid of surface rust on all of the components under the bed. Even though I live in California and we have no road salt and corrosion/rust are unheard of, we live next to the Pismo Dunes and the previous owner clearly drove in the wet salty beach sand. It was caked underneath, with the salt causing rust. I used POR-15 cleaner/degreaser, pressure washer, maroon scotch brite, air die grinder for the bad parts, and then painted with Rustoleum Rust Converter Paint/Primer. It turned out great.
Taking the bed off is as described, I have the following tips/observations. It took one hour to get the bed off. I put ratchet straps in a cross pattern and hooked them at the cross in the middle to a strap slung through two eye bolts I had already installed into a ceiling beam in my garage. It was easiest for me to get the apparatus set, then jack up the rear of the truck with my floor jack, it has 2 feet of lift, then cinch up the straps, then slowly lower the truck. The bed stayed suspended, pretty controlled and smooth and nearly effortless. One helper could guide the bed while I managed the jack. For re-installation it was very easy to get the bed lined up, jack up the truck and get all of the bolts started, then release the straps and lower the truck with bed installed to the ground.
Having the truck in the air also helped to have easy access to the bolts and tail lights. No need to remove the tail light housings from the bed, you can reach up behind them and twist out the wire connectors.
You also have to release the wire connector to the license plate light. it is attached to the bed in two spots. The bumper and these lights remain attached to the truck frame while the bed is lifted off.
Taking the bed off is as described, I have the following tips/observations. It took one hour to get the bed off. I put ratchet straps in a cross pattern and hooked them at the cross in the middle to a strap slung through two eye bolts I had already installed into a ceiling beam in my garage. It was easiest for me to get the apparatus set, then jack up the rear of the truck with my floor jack, it has 2 feet of lift, then cinch up the straps, then slowly lower the truck. The bed stayed suspended, pretty controlled and smooth and nearly effortless. One helper could guide the bed while I managed the jack. For re-installation it was very easy to get the bed lined up, jack up the truck and get all of the bolts started, then release the straps and lower the truck with bed installed to the ground.
Having the truck in the air also helped to have easy access to the bolts and tail lights. No need to remove the tail light housings from the bed, you can reach up behind them and twist out the wire connectors.
You also have to release the wire connector to the license plate light. it is attached to the bed in two spots. The bumper and these lights remain attached to the truck frame while the bed is lifted off.
