How to Install Bed Bolts

Securing a bed to a truck is a pretty simple task, but if it's not done right, the vehicle can become unsafe. Plus, putting a bed on a vehicle is cumbersome just because of the size and mass. But installing bed bolts should take about 15 minutes or so with simple hand tools. In this case, the vehicle is a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, but the process is the same for many other vehicles.

Instructions

1

Place the bed on the rear of the truck with the help of an assistant. This is a heavy item, so make sure you have help putting the bed on the truck.

2

Align the rear of the bed with the rear bolt holes by laying on your back and looking up through the rear of the frame and looking for the threaded mount in the bed. You can move it one way or another by pushing or having your assistant push back and forth.

3

Thread the bed bolt into the bed floor using the 3/8-inch ratchet and extension. Don't put the bolt in all the way, just thread it in loosely so you can still adjust the spacing.

4

Move to the opposite front corner of the bed from where you threaded in the rear bolt and locate the front mount. This may require some pushing or pulling by the assistant, but with the rear bolt in place, the front bolt should be easier to find. Loosely thread this bolt in place as well with the 3/8-inch ratchet and extension.

5

Repeat this process for the other six bolts in the vehicle. There should be eight bolts total for the bed: two at the very front, two just forward of the tires, two just behind the tires and two at the very end of the frame above the bumper.

6

Adjust the bed from side to side with the help of your assistant. This is to fine-tune the lines of the vehicle, so make sure the bed aligns properly and that everything looks good.

7

Tighten down all of the bolts in the bed using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set.