ARCHIVE ASAP Flaps for the 200 (1 Viewer)

[poppe]

I did the driver's side yesterday. Today I did the passenger side. Mine is a 2021 LC, and there must have been some minor changes since whatever model you developed these on. No biggie, but differences from the instructions.

On the attached image from step three, you tell us to remove the plastic inserts. However, on mine, the hole marked in yellow do not have inserts, as these fasteners are the type where you pop out the center pin and pull out the whole fastener. This is the case on the other side, too. So these were easy. The two in red, however, are steel threaded clips, not plastic. And the thread in them is too small to accept the 1/4" screws that are included with the kit. They are easy to remove, but installing the plastic extruded nuts is a different story. The nut side of the plastic extruded nut is too large to fit through the small slot previously occupied by the steel nut. So the back side needs to be snipped larger enough to accept the plastic extruded nut. Again, not a project stopper, but a pain to get any snips in there to open the slot.

All done now. Not difficult, just some minor bits of confusion once I got into it. These will definitely help protect the trailer! Thanks!

View attachment 3440946

The parts in red, I ended up using 2 flange nuts on the inside. I also couldn’t get the extruded nuts in there, but used the flange since I could reach my hand. Not sure which was is the right way to go. Ha!

 

[Ramathorn15]

I did the driver's side yesterday. Today I did the passenger side. Mine is a 2021 LC, and there must have been some minor changes since whatever model you developed these on. No biggie, but differences from the instructions.

On the attached image from step three, you tell us to remove the plastic inserts. However, on mine, the hole marked in yellow do not have inserts, as these fasteners are the type where you pop out the center pin and pull out the whole fastener. This is the case on the other side, too. So these were easy. The two in red, however, are steel threaded clips, not plastic. And the thread in them is too small to accept the 1/4" screws that are included with the kit. They are easy to remove, but installing the plastic extruded nuts is a different story. The nut side of the plastic extruded nut is too large to fit through the small slot previously occupied by the steel nut. So the back side needs to be snipped larger enough to accept the plastic extruded nut. Again, not a project stopper, but a pain to get any snips in there to open the slot.

All done now. Not difficult, just some minor bits of confusion once I got into it. These will definitely help protect the trailer! Thanks!

View attachment 3440946

The parts in red, I ended up using 2 flange nuts on the inside. I also couldn’t get the extruded nuts in there, but used the flange since I could reach my hand. Not sure which was is the right way to go. Ha!

Thanks for the feedback guys! I switched to the plastic extruded nuts because the metal ones I had been providing were starting to rust on some of the 3+ year old 100 series kits out in the wild. I tested the plastic ones in certain spots, but overlooked the two in red since I was more focused on the reach of the U shape. Sorry about that but I'm glad you guys figured out work arounds. Probably the simpler solution going forward is to just provide extra regular nuts for those two vs the extruded, like you ended up doing @poppe

 

[poppe]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I switched to the plastic extruded nuts because the metal ones I had been providing were starting to rust on some of the 3+ year old 100 series kits out in the wild. I tested the plastic ones in certain spots, but overlooked the two in red since I was more focused on the reach of the U shape. Sorry about that but I'm glad you guys figured out work arounds. Probably the simpler solution going forward is to just provide extra regular nuts for those two vs the extruded, like you ended up doing @poppe

Thanks for all your help btw. I think the extruded nuts gave me the most trouble but that totally makes sense. I pre threaded them but still would find issues just getting bolts to take once in there with tension, just weird angles and me not being handy was a combination of disaster ha! I found the plastic extruded u bolt would often separate when attached to a panel before even trying to get a bolt going with it. I’d have to reach in and try to hold the nut tight to keep it flush with the panel. But the rears are on and looks gorgeous. Just what I was going for - the long traveling adventure look.

Let me know by email or here regarding the front bracket, if part leg of the L bracket should float?

Thanks!

 

[poppe]

I think im finally done. Got the front don today. Lots of work. Ended up buying 2 more nuts since I used two in the rear to avoid ripping any plastic covers.

the big pain point is the extruded nuts. I hate them and don’t wish my enemy to have to use them haha. They don’t align well with the holes in the car, and they spread out making it very difficult to thread; even though I pre-threaded everything.

If I ever get a bug in me, I’ll go through and replace all the plastic extruded nuts. I can’t say I have a ton of confidence in them holding up. I know the metal ones were having a rust issues, but I’m wondering if some kind of coated version from McMaster Carr or a more specialty shop would have a solution. I’m attaching a photo of the extruded nut creating a gap in the front panel.

I’m also nervous about the front bar floating and the lack of locking ball nut up there. That seems like both will be a long term weak point but maybe not? Curious to hear why the rear is locked but the front is not. I don’t do rock crawling really but I do take this LX on a ton of farm work pastures and super rough country roads with wash boards and various pot holes, sticks, corn stalks, etc. I’m not feeling super confident these will last or stay on in these conditions, but hoping I’m just grumpy from difficult install.

Directions were fairly confusing. I think someone who wrenches a lot won’t find this confusing but I felt the directions had a few assumptions in them that wasn’t clear for dumbies like me.

I wish the bolts that are visible were black. May swap out later.

If anyone ends up installing this on an LX in the future, mine is a 2013 and it had a ton of plastic I had to remove to shift over and get in. A few of the plastic screw bolts I had to break off because a screw driver would not let them loose. Wondering if that’s just because the LX has a 153k on it now. Holding the panel, the metal bracket together and sort of squeezing it all tight helps a lot.

 

[002cl]

cant believe i missed out on these again. showing sold out.

 

[poppe]

Just wanted to say I've had these for over a little month. No long trips but so far they seem to be holding on strong and secure. Lots of highway driving. No off-roading in the MUD sense, but I rarely do that.