Since there are no slider install threads that I could find this is my attempt to help future OPOR slider owners with install so that you will hopefully avoid the errors I came across. And hopefully to verify the actual hardware locations. Because you are just sent a bag of mix matched colors of hardware of all different sizes and basically good luck!
So for starters here is the link to a PDF of Metal Techs GX470 Sliders Installation Guide from their website.
If you order your sliders raw like I did you will receive them from the big brown truck like this and only one bag of hardware and a wrap of two U-Bolts.
First step is removing those damn steps, wear eye protection for all those damn clips in the sill as they pop off at you. And don't forget to unplug the lights front and back of the steps.
Tools required:
Set of Metric Sockets
Set of Metric Open End Wrenches
WD-40 or PB Blaster
12-8mm x 1.25mm Tap
Drill
Drill bit large enough to get a step drill started
Step drill up to 3/4" I used a cheap one from Harbor Freight with no problems.
Center punch
Safety Glasses
Jacks to hold one end of the sliders if working alone
Moving blanket to protect the sliders especially if already finished.
Now to start with the sliders and MT's installation guide (See Above). Blow out any dirt with air, spray with WD-40 or PB Blaster and get the tap going until clean and clear.
Here is where I will differ from the MT installation guide. Get the U-Bolt out and move to the rear of the frame and get that in place. Then put your sliders up on the jacks and mount the front leg with just the top bolt in the threads you just cleaned. Now set the U-Bolt on the back leg and your sliders are in place.
So lets rewind just a bit and getting the U-bolt in place. There are two tube lines running on the top of the frame and you need to pop these out of the clips shown below.
You will also want to loosen the lines on the outside of the frame while you are struggling to get the two ends of the U-Bolt into the holes on the rear leg of the sliders.
Now that you have the slider attached to the frame front and back you can easily mark the locations correctly where you need to drill holes to install the Rivet Nuts.
So for the DS Slider you will just need to mark one hole location on the bottom of the front leg. But for the passenger side you will need to mark the one location on the front leg as well as another location on the bottom of the frame for the middle leg. This way you won't run into the issue that I did and my hole was too far back.
Now on the middle leg of the PS slider hopefully you existing hole will line up correctly and not be off like mine was. If it is off you will need to mark your slider to enlarge the hole and mark the frame for the other hole.
Now that your three holes are marked you can remove both sliders and grab your drill and center punch your locations on the frame. The MT Installation guide recommends drilling a 1/2" hole for the bottom bolt for the front legs and a 5/8" hole for the bottom of frame on the PS middle leg.
*EDIT*
Do not use a step bit like I did! Use a Micrometer to measure the RivetNuts mine were replacements from McMSter Carr since I had to drill out the original ones that were supplied. But I had to order an 11/16" drill bit for the 1/2" Rivet Nuts. And I ended up just using the larger 1/2" ones in place of the smaller 3/8" Rivet Nuts. *EDIT*
TIP: Wear gloves and put something over your wrist while drilling out the hole on the bottom of the frame. You will get HOT metal shards falling on your hand and wrist and these damn things hurt and are like splinters when you try to wipe them away!
It's late To Be Continued this weekend....
So for starters here is the link to a PDF of Metal Techs GX470 Sliders Installation Guide from their website.
If you order your sliders raw like I did you will receive them from the big brown truck like this and only one bag of hardware and a wrap of two U-Bolts.
First step is removing those damn steps, wear eye protection for all those damn clips in the sill as they pop off at you. And don't forget to unplug the lights front and back of the steps.
Tools required:
Set of Metric Sockets
Set of Metric Open End Wrenches
WD-40 or PB Blaster
12-8mm x 1.25mm Tap
Drill
Drill bit large enough to get a step drill started
Step drill up to 3/4" I used a cheap one from Harbor Freight with no problems.
Center punch
Safety Glasses
Jacks to hold one end of the sliders if working alone
Moving blanket to protect the sliders especially if already finished.
Now to start with the sliders and MT's installation guide (See Above). Blow out any dirt with air, spray with WD-40 or PB Blaster and get the tap going until clean and clear.
Here is where I will differ from the MT installation guide. Get the U-Bolt out and move to the rear of the frame and get that in place. Then put your sliders up on the jacks and mount the front leg with just the top bolt in the threads you just cleaned. Now set the U-Bolt on the back leg and your sliders are in place.
So lets rewind just a bit and getting the U-bolt in place. There are two tube lines running on the top of the frame and you need to pop these out of the clips shown below.
You will also want to loosen the lines on the outside of the frame while you are struggling to get the two ends of the U-Bolt into the holes on the rear leg of the sliders.
Now that you have the slider attached to the frame front and back you can easily mark the locations correctly where you need to drill holes to install the Rivet Nuts.
So for the DS Slider you will just need to mark one hole location on the bottom of the front leg. But for the passenger side you will need to mark the one location on the front leg as well as another location on the bottom of the frame for the middle leg. This way you won't run into the issue that I did and my hole was too far back.
Now on the middle leg of the PS slider hopefully you existing hole will line up correctly and not be off like mine was. If it is off you will need to mark your slider to enlarge the hole and mark the frame for the other hole.
Now that your three holes are marked you can remove both sliders and grab your drill and center punch your locations on the frame. The MT Installation guide recommends drilling a 1/2" hole for the bottom bolt for the front legs and a 5/8" hole for the bottom of frame on the PS middle leg.
*EDIT*
Do not use a step bit like I did! Use a Micrometer to measure the RivetNuts mine were replacements from McMSter Carr since I had to drill out the original ones that were supplied. But I had to order an 11/16" drill bit for the 1/2" Rivet Nuts. And I ended up just using the larger 1/2" ones in place of the smaller 3/8" Rivet Nuts. *EDIT*
TIP: Wear gloves and put something over your wrist while drilling out the hole on the bottom of the frame. You will get HOT metal shards falling on your hand and wrist and these damn things hurt and are like splinters when you try to wipe them away!
It's late To Be Continued this weekend....
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