hard top back stakes/posts--whatever you call them

[SP66]

How important to stability is it to use the back posts when attaching the hard full top? Can they be removed? Anyone run this way? It's a major PITA to remove and replace the top without causing paint damage.

 

[Greg_B]

I plan on cutting mine off so that only the top bolt is used. I see no need for the entire thing to be used.

 

[sprdv1]

I'd remove em if it was me..

 

[phred]

GregB,
Those stakes are hard to come by. New ones from Dynocorn are 140 ea. Yeah I need some for a truck I was working on and call about new one. I got a pair of used one from a eb brother. It took some looking as most people just toss them or cut them up.

 

[stevew]

If you remove them completely there is nothing for the liftgate struts to attach to .
Those posts are where the welded nuts for the hatch attach . For ease of removal
I grind the bottom points & the mid side point round & after that they slip in & out with little effort .

 

[muskrat]

If you remove them completely there is nothing for the liftgate struts to attach to .
Those posts are where the welded nuts for the hatch attach . For ease of removal
I grind the bottom points & the mid side point round & after that they slip in & out with little effort .

Thats a great idea. Can you post some pics of your mod?

 

[stevew]

Don't have any here at the moment .... it's pretty obvious where they need rounded , sharp points need to go .

 

[garberz]

Bolting the stakes to the bedsides is what keeps the back window opening square. I left mine in place, but then I only removed the top, once a year.

 

[rustbucket]

Get rid of 'em! The engineers at Ford only put them there to get rid of extra steel at the factory!

 

[D1970]

Get rid of 'em! The engineers at Ford only put them there to get rid of extra steel at the factory!

LMAO that's funny .I cut mine off .been that way for a few years now with no problem