What's the bed made of?

[FX4Offroad]

I want to add the "Sport Trac" style fender tie down cleats on the Ranger once I get the A.R.E. cap with the roof rails.

Because of the dissimilar metal issues (alum vs steel), I need to know what the bed walls are made of:

Fenders:
Inside wall of the bed:

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[Kataphrakt]

Ranger's bed is all steel. Only the hood, (front) fenders, and tailgate are aluminum

 

[FX4Offroad]

Ranger's bed is all steel. Only the hood, (front) fenders, and tailgate are aluminum

Sweet. So if I use stainless steel screws, I won't have an issue.

Thanks!

 

[Kataphrakt]

Sweet. So if I use stainless steel screws, I won't have an issue.

Thanks!

you would actually have some issues using stainless steel bolts because the bed is not made of stainless steel.

 

[FX4Offroad]

you would actually have some issues using stainless steel bolts because the bed is not made of stainless steel.

I haven't yet done the research regarding how to mount them.

I appreciate the heads up though.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

you would actually have some issues using stainless steel bolts because the bed is not made of stainless steel.

Hi Tim,

You are spot on! Stainless is not the solution for HSLA steel of the Ranger Bed. There is still galvanic corrosion. You have to be very careful with dissimilar metals as it promotes corrosion over time.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Rinn69]

Sweet. So if I use stainless steel screws, I won't have an issue.

Thanks!

Someone posted a graphic of galvanic response between dissimilar metals....Here is a link to a chart:
http://www.preservationscience.com/materials/metals/PGC.html

 

[Kataphrakt]

Hi Tim,

You are spot on! Stainless is not the solution for HSLA steel of the Ranger Bed. There is still galvanic corrosion. You have to be very careful with dissimilar metals as it promotes corrosion over time.

We learned about this a little bit the hard way during my recent senior project. We were bolting a 304 SS plate to an aluminum plate using regular steel shoulder bolts. combined with a summer of 85%+ RH and the bolts were starting to get a layer of rust within a few weeks. The bolts running through plain steel plates had no issues.

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