Hello everyone---I have a 1996 Ranger XLT with a camper shell mounted on it and it also has a bed liner installed. I must replace the fuel filler tube which I have on order and will be here Thursday.

Here is my game plan: I want to remove the two mounting bolts near the cab, the two middle bolts and loosen the two rear bolts about half way out. I will then use a T jig made out of a 2 x 4 and a floor jack to raise the front of the bed enough that I can replace the filler tube. I will also use two jack stands, one on each side sitting on the frame and supporting each side of the bed while I replace the filler tube.

Here is my delema: In order to take out the bed liner is need to take off the shell, which I don't want to do. So, I am thinking that If someone on this forum would be helpful and give me the measurements from the back mounting bolt to the center bolt and from the center mounting bolt to the front mounting bolt (they are all in alignment from the photos I have seen), I will use a small hole saw and cut a plug out over each bolt head so I can remove them without removing the shell or bed liner. Once the filler hose is replaced and the bed rebolted to the frame I will glue the plugs back in and lay the rubber matting and carpet back in the bed.

So, I am asking if someone can give me the measurements I need or tell me where I can get them.
Thanks in advance and I will take pics and post as the project goes along.

 

I just had to get these to replace my fuel pump.
Bolts are m12x1.75
The two by the cab are 120mm and the four in the back are 100mm.
The clip nuts are $10 a piece at ford, but the bolts can just be high grade from fastenal or similar.

 

What I was asking for is the distance between bolts. Back bolt to middle bolt and middle bolt to cab bolt. I didn't see anything that says you can't reuse the bolts and clips.

 

I see. Just curious, why destroy your bed liner? I have a 2004 so I don't know if the bed is the same as your 96 but I can check the bolt spacing from one bolt to the next at least.


Bolt by the cab is on the third ridge from the side, about 13/16" from the cab wall to bolt head center.

53 1/4" from that bolt to the middle bolt center to center.
14 1/4" between the two rear bolts center to center.

 

Thanks. First, I see your bolts are different from mine. I have a 55 torx head bolts. As I explained in my first post, in order to get the liner out I must also remove the shell first. I have installed 12 volt lights in the shell and would have to also remove them. I don't mind putting the holes in the liner as I have a 1/2 inch rubber mat to go on top of the liner and carpet to go on top of the mat, so hopefully, I will never have to pull all that out again.

If your bed is longer or shorter than mine won't that make the mounting bolt locations differenct? I am going to do some more looking around and see if I can find the info somewhere for the same truck. But I surely appreciate your information and if it's correct I will use it.

 

I finally figured out how to get the bed liner out of the truck bed without taking the camper shell off. I loosened the mounting bolts and clamps (4 of them) and inserted 4 shims at the side of each mounting bolt that lifted the shell just enough to pop he liner sides out and away from the shell. Had to do some jiggling around to get the cab end out but did so. Now, I am going to break the bed mounting bolts loose so that task will be done when the new filler tube arrives on Thursday. Then I will use the T brace I will make out of 2 x 4s and floor jack to lift the bed at the cab end just enough to replace the filler tube. Before removing and replacing I will shore up the bed on both sides using two jack stands on each side sitting on the truck frame or cross member supporting the bed.

 

I had to do just the opposite, lift the back of the bed to remove and replace the spare tire hoist. I used a rolling jack and a 2' x 2'. It worked great.
Harry