Drilling bed

Probably dumb question but I bought a fabtech spare tire mount and will need to drill the screws into the bed. Is this difficult to do? I always get sketched out about cutting or drilling the truck. Do you just need to do pilot holes then screw it in? I have a bed mat also can I just go right thru it? Anything under the truck I could hit and screw up?

 

Yes to pilot holes...no don’t go thru the bed mat...always look on the back side to make sure you don’t hit anything with the screws use a small mirror if you can’t see because of obstacles...

 

As long as you are using standard drill bits, you'll be fine. As soon as you feel it go through, pull back. And yes you can drill right through your bed mat. That's what I did for my tonneau drain tubes. Just use the standard practice of pilot hole, then step up to a bigger hole as needed with your bits. Drilling through the bed is easy stuff. Drilling holes in the metal body is easy as long as you are careful and take precautions to prevent overdrilling.

 

Are you trying to screw the screws into the bed material, or are you putting nuts on the back side of the bed material?

 

Thanks guys

 

Nuts on the back, sorry wrong lingo

 

No worries.

I recommend putting large washers (fender washers) or other material on the back side under the nuts to help spread out the load.

 

I went a step further had done 1/8 steel stock kicking around I cut into 4"long pieces to help spread the load for some light duty tie downs.

The bed is a fiberglass composite and will burn your drill bits out pretty fast.

I would suggest using a drill bit stop to make sure you don't go too deep

 

Depending where you are drilling... I have read stories on here about guys accidentally drilling into the fuel fill hose under the LF corner of the bed.
Just FYI.

 

I drilled pilot holes and used a step bit to finish. Cleaner holes and less chance of slipping through and hitting something. I used the drain holes as a reference when planning it out.

 

+1 for step bit

 

You’ll drill through the bed with any drill bit like butter, just like the old metal ones

 

Post some pics when you’re done

 

Will do! Just ordered a step bit and hoping to knock it out this weekend.
Appreciate all the replies and help

 

Is it the angled mount? I’ve been eyeing it for a while now

 

Yes it is. I was debating on it forever but like that look versus the nfab one with the strap

 

I agree, plus it’s much cheaper

 

Thanks for the advice and help guys, got it done today. Actually pretty easy

 

NICE

 

Nice. For anyone that finda this later, quadruple check the underside of where you want to drill.

I installed a crate into my truck in high school. Can't remember anymore if it was a fuel line or a brake line, but a couple of minutes could have saved hours......