Need help with B&W hitch install!

[Moe-B]

I know this should go in towing section, but I'm stuck in the middle of the install, so I put it here so it would be seen quicker. (have mercy on me mods.)

Decided to put my B&W turnover hitch on tonight on my '04 Lariat CC short bed with FX4 package. Drilled the hole (measured carefully), removed heat shield, and put the cross members in between the bed and frame (had to notch the seam that hangs down). So far, so good.

OK, step 6 of the instructions (this is the 1108 kit, btw) says to locate the rear cross member about 4 inches behind the hole. I can't even get it within 8 inches of the hole because there's a hump in my frame that rises up and doesn't leave enough room under the bed for the cross member. The closest I can get the two cross members to each other is about 12 inches!? The center section is less than 8 inches wide. B&W is closed so no help there. Do I need to loosen the bed bolts so it will raise up or what??

 

[RoyBoy]

I know this should go in towing section, but I'm stuck in the middle of the install, so I put it here so it would be seen quicker. (have mercy on me mods.)

Decided to put my B&W turnover hitch on tonight on my '04 Lariat CC short bed with FX4 package. Drilled the hole (measured carefully), removed heat shield, and put the cross members in between the bed and frame (had to notch the seam that hangs down). So far, so good.

OK, step 6 of the instructions (this is the 1108 kit, btw) says to locate the rear cross member about 4 inches behind the hole. I can't even get it within 8 inches of the hole because there's a hump in my frame that rises up and doesn't leave enough room under the bed for the cross member. The closest I can get the two cross members to each other is about 12 inches!? The center section is less than 8 inches wide. B&W is closed so no help there. Do I need to loosen the bed bolts so it will raise up or what??

Slide the rails in between the bed and the hump (in the loaction they are supposed to be, so you don't have to try to slide em) like this /\, untill the notches in the angle iron line up with the frame rails, then twist on the rails to get them in the correct orientation. Might be a little tight especially if your bed is pushed down from hauling stuff. Hope this helps.

 

[Moe-B]

Thanks Roy. It's very tight. So tight they wont even slide into position when angled like in your suggestion (the /\ position). I don't think my bed's pushed down, but there is only about 1-1/8 inch of clearance between the bed and the frame. The angle is 1-3/4 inches in the /\ position, and the vertical leg of the angle is 2-1/2 inches??

on edit: I forgot, there are notches in the cross members, so my measurements aren't the right ones. But even with the notch, there isn't enough room for the angles to slide into place. Is there any problem with loosening the bed bolts, then sliding them in place, then retightening the bed bolts? Or will I open a can of worms?

 

[Moe-B]

OK, I drove them into position with an 8 lb sledge. Haven't tried turning them yet but I think I can do that with a big crescent slipped over the legs. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again Roy.

 

[Zookie400]

it took me 7 hours to get my gooseneck hitch installed, because of the not so straight bed. what helped me out was a floor jack with a 4x4 piece of wood going up to the bed. i jacked it up and it tweaked the bed up enough so the angle iron pieces would slide easier (still with the aid of a hammer)

 

[Moe-B]

Well, it took me a solid 5 hrs after subtracting dinner and watching some of Close Encounters. LOL. The tightness of the angle iron cross bars put up a good fight, but I finally won. Gonna have to put some chassis paint down there, though. Scratched the hades out of the bed bottom.

Thanks again for the encouragement. You guys rock.

 

[WD40]

Just glad to hear that it's in there. Now you can just pull all you want to.