I own an 06 STX extended cab and there seems to be a squeaking noise that comes from the bed everytime I drive it. The bumpier the roads, the louder the squeaks get.

Ive also come to find that my bed doesn't line up A1 with the cab
The bed sits lower on the passenger side.

The noise seems to come from where the end of the cab meets with the bed (frame area).

I did a quick google search and found very similar complaints and some suggested that it could be cab mounts.

I have zero knowledge with these trucks but want to take the bed off for some inspection. Anything that I should keep an eye out for?

I figured this is a general problem in trucks not just rangers so I'm sure many understand the level of annoyance I deal with when trying to go out for a joy ride

Not so fast on pulling the bed on a whim. Check the tailgate latches first and service them if needed ti eliminate wear/gap due to age and the squeak this causes. Or take the tailgate off and go for a test drive.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

You could just crawl under and see if anything is rotted out, they are fairly open underneath.

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2000 XLT 4X4, 3.0, Auto, regular cab - throttle cable mod, K&N drop in filter, taylor thundervolt 8.2 plug wires, autolite sparkplugs, Accel coil pack, AVS Ventshades, Rampage LED tailgate light bar, BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A tires, Trail F/X toolbox, cruse control pod light fix, Cobra 19 ultra II CB, lil wil antenna, pioneer door speakers, expo woodgrain radio bezal, 06+ mirrors & tails, powerdome hood

2000 XLT 4X4 Offroad, 4.0 / auto, supercab - the project truck!

The squeaks come from underneath the truck tho. and tailgate is working in good condition.

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I'm really about to do that now. Just today as I posted this thread the sound has gotten very distinct to where it sounds like a rust problem. What should I check for when underneath?

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06 STX 4 inch spindle, 4 in blocks, MBRP turndown
Trail master tm5 on 31x10.50s

I'm half betting one of your bed bolts has backed off. Hit em with an impact. Had a newer dodge come in the shop for a squeak with the same symptoms as you and that's what it was.

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2006 DSG FX4 SuperCab 4.0L SOHC V6, 5R55E, vinyl floor boards 31" AXT's on DSG Alcoa's. Cranked T-bars to level.

"Education is what you get when you read the fine print...Experience is what you get when you don't."

I think you're onto something there.. That might also explain the sideways lean on the bed.

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06 STX 4 inch spindle, 4 in blocks, MBRP turndown
Trail master tm5 on 31x10.50s

now that i'm not on my phone and see you're in florida I doubt rust is the issue, I would second the hardware possibly being loose or also the tailgate, I know mine rattles some.

typically rust belt trucks can rot out the bed supports causing them to drop down on the mounts. my work truck rotted the entire front of the bed out, only had the rear 2 bolts holding it on. driving down the road you could see the bed going up and down, lol.

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2000 XLT 4X4, 3.0, Auto, regular cab - throttle cable mod, K&N drop in filter, taylor thundervolt 8.2 plug wires, autolite sparkplugs, Accel coil pack, AVS Ventshades, Rampage LED tailgate light bar, BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A tires, Trail F/X toolbox, cruse control pod light fix, Cobra 19 ultra II CB, lil wil antenna, pioneer door speakers, expo woodgrain radio bezal, 06+ mirrors & tails, powerdome hood

2000 XLT 4X4 Offroad, 4.0 / auto, supercab - the project truck!

Both of my beds squeaked occasionally after I put body lifts on them.

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2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

That's exactly what it was. I ended up hand tightening them with one of those L shaped torque keys but will change it out because it's halfway rusted. The rust wasn't noticeable because the bed has that crappy coating spray including the bolts. Terrible execution but I'll end up respraying the whole truck including the bed line and make sure to snap some pics for the forums.

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06 STX 4 inch spindle, 4 in blocks, MBRP turndown
Trail master tm5 on 31x10.50s

Oil up your leaf springs maybe?

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MODIFICATIONS: Mustang Dome / Stepside bed / Mustang mesh headliner thing / Oh-Shit handles / Expedition Rear View Mirror / Explorer Sport-Trac wheels
COMING EVENTUALLY: OHC / Engine bay LED light strips / Front Crossmember+Tow hooks

glad to be of some help!

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2006 DSG FX4 SuperCab 4.0L SOHC V6, 5R55E, vinyl floor boards 31" AXT's on DSG Alcoa's. Cranked T-bars to level.

"Education is what you get when you read the fine print...Experience is what you get when you don't."

that's what I did, zero squeaks from the bed but the cab tho that's a different story. I think the left rear door likes to Randomly squeak time from time

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2002 xlt 4x4 Hines ward edition

Must be the hinges on that

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06 STX 4 inch spindle, 4 in blocks, MBRP turndown
Trail master tm5 on 31x10.50s

My bed use to squeak as well. I finally tightened the bolts to the head board and it stopped.

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'99 Ranger XLT 3.0 4x4 gold stepside
'99 Ranger XLT 4.0 2WD, RIP at 326,000 miles