Where are the bolts located that hold my box on? I may try to tighten them a little. 1994 Dakota SLT 4x4 (crew cab ?} My Haynes manual doesn't show it. Thanks.

 

Under the bed. There are six or eight of them.

 

I know they are under the bed but the approx location please.I can't find them. Where on the frame? Do they have lock washers on them? I crawled under there.

 

(this is for both sides)the first 2 are right behind the rear cab mount(where the box and cab meet but on the box side) the next to are right in front of the rear tires. i don't remember where the third set is but the last two are at the back of the frame where the bumper is bolted to the frame. they require a 9/16" socket or wrench, iirc.

 

Thank you sir!!!! There might be 2 along the cross memeber in the middle. I hope I don't have to crawl completely under.Maybe I can do it from the side,just reaching in.

 

Your best bet is with a long extension on a 1/2' drive. There are access holes through the bottom of the frame rail where you can slide the extension through. This way you can also use an impact if you have, or have access to one. Use heat so that you don't snap them tho, it will also make it easier on you or the impact

 

the set not mentioned is about a foot in front of the rear set somewhere near your last exhaust hanger. look for a round hole on the bottom of your frame and the bolt will be right above it on the top. The short bed should have 8 total, long bed may have more.

 

I see that the top of the bolts aren't showing in the bed like the old carriage bolt heads. So are the bolts welded to the box and then shoved through,and then the nuts go on them? You can't see where they are from inside the bed.I guess that was on the older trucks.Not as easy as I thought. What would be a good torque? I have a torque wrench.

 

You can only get at them from underneath. and your assumption of them being welded to the box and then "shoved" through is correct. They are welded to a railing under the box. This is why I say to use heat, because if you snap one of those welds (which I happened to do on a chevy half ton...), have fun trying to get the bolt off the stud...

as for torque specs, not sure

 

What kind of heat? A torch,heat gun? Use inside the bed from the top or underneath? Thanks for all the info guys!!!