HOW TO: install Hi-Lift mounts in bed

This is how I installed the 4xRac Hi-Lift mounts in the bed of my truck, it is a long bed so it may be slightly different for short beds. I looked all over the interweb for one of these and could not find one. Hope this helps someone else out in my position in the future.

What you'll need:

--4XRAC Hi-Lift Heavy Duty Mounts and everything that comes in the kit (purchase them online or 4wheelparts)
--1/4" drill bit and drill (the instructions says 9/32" drill bit but I worked my way up and at 1/4", there is no loose space for the bolt to move around, just slides in like butter)
--Sharpe Marker (i used silver, but its just used to mark your holes to drill)
--Star Shaped screw driver (I think its a "T" driver, not sure what size, I used a cheap set that's all together with multiple sizes)
--11mm wrench and ratchet wrench or any combo of the 2 (used to hold/tighten the 4 screws that hold on the mounts)
--3M double side tape (and scissors to cut tape)
--mini level (if you're as picky (detailed) as I am



Total time takes about an hour by yourself, quicker if you have a friend help.

STEPS:

1. I did the driver side of the bed, so I took out the larger storage bin held in by 6 screws with the "T" driver and then set that to the side.

2. Take out the smaller bin above the wheel well. To get this off, just pull up on the box (you'll hear popping from the factory 3M tape releasing) then pull out on the box and it pops right out. Remove any tape left on the bed itself since you will replace this. There was NO clip or screws holding this bin in, in my truck, just tape). At the 1:30 position inside this compartment that is now open, you will see the gas tank neck, be mindful of this when planning on where to mount the hardware and when drilling through the bed for the screws, DO NOT hit the neck for the fuel!



3. I connected my Hi-Lift to the mounts and held it in position against the truck bed to see where exactly I wanted it to mount so it was out of the way of the storage bin with the door and out of the way of the bed cover, once folded down.







4. Once you have an idea of where you want it, take it apart and hold the mount where you want it. Use something to mark the location of the holes for drilling. (for the storage bin with the cover, there is a thin piece of molded composite on the back running up/down. Be mindful not to drill on this, it will mess up the ability to put the washer and nut for the rear mount. Reach your hand up there and you'll find it with no issue).



(be sure the holes on the screws a running left to right, so a lock will fit correctly on it)

5. With the holes drilled, set the 1" screws through the mount and through the bed. You should slide a small washer on the screw, then slide it through the mount. On the back side, place the large 1"ish washer to help disperse the weight being pulled on the mount (if you decided to purchase those) followed by the self locking nut. Repeat this process for rear mount and you're all set. I used an 11mm wrench to hold the nuts while using the ratchet wrench to tighten the bolts down. The gas tank neck did not interfere with me getting my hand and wrench back there but that all depends on location so test it out by seeing how far you can reach in between the bed liner and the side panel of the truck.







6. Last, put the storage bins back in place. The larger one on the driver side simply bolts back in to place with the 6 torque screws used. For the smaller one above the wheel well, I put two small pieces of 3M tape on the top, a long piece on each side, and a long piece on the bottom. The bin will actually sit in place on its own, the tape is to help make sure it does not rattle around, especially if not on a paved surface.



This was a pretty easy process so if I missed something, you can probably figure it out on your own. Feel free to add any tips/tricks to this. This is only 1 method of mounting the Hi-Lift, I'm sure there are tons more.

 

No need to drill holes to bed

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/all-pro-off-road/341134-all-pro-offroad-hi-lift-t-bar-mount.html

 

Yea, saw that but I don't have a tool box or anything and figured others out there didn't either. Thanks though, thats a great option if you have one!

 

No I enjoyed your thread. Nice How to. Good to see different options

 

Thanks. I enjoyed your thread. I've been running out of ideas so I'll have to add this.

 

About how much did all the hardware cost?

 

What's a tool box have to do with either mount?

 

Nice write up! Gives us bakflip owners a clean, simple, up and out of the way option to mount it.

 

The small washers were from Walmart: about 2.50 and the larger washers came from autozone for 3 bucks. All the other hardware came with the 4Xrac kit which was like 32 I think. The washers are optional though, I just didn't want the thin bolts holding up the 30+ lbs jack

 

There is a thread the other member put a link in which uses this mount on a tool box. Just a different option. It's easier to mount to the tool box since your not havin to pull storage bins out if the factory bed, which may deter people from attempting this (it did me) so I wanted to make it possible for people who had a bed cover and no tool box to use for mounting.

 

Yea that cover is well worth it, just sucks it uses all the quick clip rails for installation or else we could get the jack mounts that use the railing. Thanks!