I seem to recall from when I did this task that the
tailgate hinges can be installed per factory bolt locations without much effort, no need to remove the sill, a wench fits up inside the bottom of the sill gap
You have to be able to feel a nut onto the bolt blind but that’s not usually a big issue
You do not want to use long bolts all the way through the stake pocket because the metal will just collapse and never be tight enough
I have small hands so maybe not everyone can do this maneuver,
It is very tight
Maybe post a photo or two? Might help us out to figure solutions.
-s
