Remove Plastic Bed "Rails"

[CrustyNoodle]

@CrustyNoodle Did you need to remove the tail lights to access the clips?

Also. were there any issues re-using the bed caps, e.g. damaged clips that would no longer hold after the rails were removed. or any other issues affecting fit of the rails?

At the rear, I used to trim tool to push the clips as much as possible and I also got them from underneath - lying in the bed.

The clips at the front were the hardest. I got the rail off there by just grabbing the rail and rocking it left to right while pulling up. Eventually the clips squish together and it pops off.

What tape did you use to cover the holes?

I used white gaffer tape (100mph tape) - the cloth based stuff.

Sponsored

 

[Harlequin_Forest]

The list price for those bed rails is about $180 each, so caution is indeed warranted. If I do try it, I will wait until a hot summer day, to minimize the chance of the plastic breaking instead of deforming.

I wonder if instead of removing them, maybe it would be possible to safely pry the rails up just enough to run a bead of silicone sealant along the front and outer edge? Or even to insert a length of weatherstrip?

Going to be perpetually wet in the PNW for the next 4-5 months so I'll have to wait until then but I might look at other sealant options on the underside of the bed rails. I'm wondering if a spray on coating like Flex Seal or similar might help along with silicone on the stake pockets and corners of the bed.