Trying to mount brackets in the back of the bed.

Want to mount a HiLift jack in the back of the pickup bed, behind the cab. NOT on the side of the bed as is usually the case.

Obviously, this requires bolting brackets to the bed. But I'm not quite sure how to get behind the bed wall to pass bolts through.

I'd like some suggestions before I tear things apart and make a right bloody mess.

This is a 2000 Z71 Silverado, with plastic end caps around the bed, and a spray-on liner.

take your bed loose and scoot it away from the cab or get a buddy and set it off to do the drilling etc... Make sure you unplug tail light harness if you take the bed off and remove the tail gate first, the bed will be alot lighter that way. Also if you have the gas gauge gremlin this would be a good time to address it if you choose.

:grinyes: :grinyes: Good advice. I do have the gas gauge prob too. So this will kill two birds with one stone.

Is removing the bed as easy as unbolting from the frame? And if so, how many bolts and exactly where are they? I can't see bolts and my Haynes manual has nothing on it.

I have a Stepside. I'm assuming bed removal is exactly the same as for regular beds.

4 or 6 bolts is the norm + disconnect the wiring harness. slide or pick up the bed and remove it. Should not take you more then 1 hour to remove and reinstall it.

bolts go in from the bottom. Take off the tail gate first and the bed is very managable. Yes the process should be the same regardless of step or fleet side.