Question about tapping holes in bed for tie downs? Gas tank issue?

[jpv74]

Hello all.......Just a quick question. I am installing some beefy bed tie downs in the bed of my XL. As many of you know the front bed floor holes are not tapped at the factory so you are supposed to use a M8 or 8mm X 1.25 tap to thread the holes. So I was tapping the first hole tonight and I just couldnt get past the thought of that gas tank being right below this location. The first recall was about the spray in bedliner guys drilling into the gas tank as I recall. Anyway if someone could just give me a clear mind and let me know that I can tap to the moon with no issues I would appreciate it.

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[Darnon]

Shouldn't really be an issue if you're using a blunt-nosed tap. Otherwise measure and mark your tap so you know where to stop.

 

[paneubert]

The tap shouldn't be a problem. Just don't continue tapping after a reasonable number of turns. What you should consider is how long your screws are. Make sure you only use screws as long as you need to get the job done.

 

[jpv74]

Well.....sorry to hear that I am not getting the info that I had hoped........I was hoping you were gunna say the tank isnt directly under that exact location. I cant mark my tap because I dont know how far the gas tank is under the bed. I looked under the truck and it really looks like the area where the tie downs are are located in a cross support but I couldnt confirm it. I guess I could make a little feeler pic to see how far to tap but as mentioned then I have to be sure to use short enough bolts. I am still holding out for someone to tell me to tap to the moon!

 

[Darnon]

I cant mark my tap because I dont know how far the gas tank is under the bed.

Fortunately in accordance with laws of physics your gas tank shell is a solid! Ergo you could take a thin, also-solid object like a straightened coathanger and insert it into the hole to see where it stops. Congratulations! You now know how far you can go before hitting the gas tank.

 

[jpv74]

Ya I was afraid I was setting myself up for that reply Fair enough....good point.

 

[jpv74]

That said......I wont know if I am bottoming out on a gas tank or a metal support....but either way....the distance is the distance.....thanks

 

[Senior Master Ford Guy]

I haven't had a chance to check the clearance above the fuel tank, but I wonder if you could slide a thin sheet of metal between the top of the tank and the underside of the bed, possibly a flat cookie sheet or at minimum an old license plate, and if so, do you think that would help you ? You would hit metal and probably know it , before you go through the softer plastic of the fuel tank.....

 

[Old Man]

Be sure to video your tapping. I love watching the Just Rolled In videos and they sometimes show people drilling or cutting in the area of the tank and guess what happens?

 

[jpv74]

I appreciate the thought. I have watched two vids on YouTube where they tapped away with not a concern in the world. They used 1.25 bolts as well....but that doesnt mean that they dont have holes in their gas tanks . I started the tap and got several turns in approx 1/4" then chickened out.

 

[jpv74]

Thanks Old Man....but I am trying to not be featured in that vid

 

[Johnkn]

Howdy, I just removed my front driver's side factory tie down for you. The pan head bolts have a 1" shank and use a T40 head. I dropped a 3.5" Philips head screwdriver with a diameter about the same as the bolt inside the threaded bolt holes and it bottomed out on the handle w/o contacting anything under it, so it appears the gas tank will not be an issue for you, but do probe the hole to make sure there weren't any running changes..

Edit, and I crawled under the truck, the frame rails in that area are about 35" inside rail to inside rail and the tank sits within the rails. The tie-down bolts are ~36.5" center to center, so it appears that the bolts actually drop down within the frame rails themselves vs between the rails where the tank is (but double check yours...)

I was going to put mine up on one of my lifts and take a few pics, but I have cars on (and under) both lifts right now and didn't want to move them at this late hour.

Good luck....

..

 

[Ktowntimmy]

You could also use a light and try to gauge the thickness of the metal you’re tapping. Extending the screws (or the tap) past the tapped metal won’t give you any more grip.

 

[jpv74]

Here is a quote from the YouTube vid I watched I believe he is called TDTVGarage

The holes are already there for the factory tie downs, just are not threaded. Because the holes are over the inside of the frame rail there is no concern for interference with other components, thus the length of the bolts is not that critical.

This is what I thought I saw from underneath but paranoia took over which caused me to ask you guys.

I got another reply from the other YouTuber that also says there is nothing to worry about so I am feeling a little more confident now. Yes I will still use a feeler pic before I tap to the moon and back......

 

[jpv74]

Hey Johnkn thanks for all the extra effort. I really appreciate it!!!! Yes I will not go in blind but good to know what you were seeing.

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