My 2500HD Chevy needs a gooseneck hitch. Unfortunately, there is a
heat shield that must be removed or a section cut out. Every shop I've
spoken with says the heat shield fasteners are installed with
something like Locktite and are almost impossible to remove.

Their parctice is to cut a section out with a plasma cutter. That
shield is 1.5" from the bottom of the bed which has a spray-in liner.
Should I be concerned about burning the paint off the bottom of the
bed or blistering the liner? I've only seen plasma cutters used on TV
or the internet.

Has anyone built their own gooseneck hitch for a pickup? I know a
flatbed is easy.