First mod: Trail Gear sliders! Dumb Install Question

BoulderSean · 03-10-2007, 06:40 PM

I purposefully ordered my FJ w/o the rock rails as I figured I'd prefer something that stuck out some. Ordered the Trail Gear sliders Monday and they got here Friday. These things are awesome =)

I got them all cleaned up today with some degreaser and roughed em up with some sandpaper. Tomorrow should be warmer so I'll do the primer and some black paint then I plan on doing the upper outer part with some textured bedliner so it's easier to use as a step if needed.

Now to show off what a noob I am. There's no instructions and I am not really sure what order the washers go. Is it slider, locking washer, normal washer, frame? Also, the normal washer has a slight curvature. Does the curve face in (towards the frame) or out (towards the slider)? Thanks for any info! Can't wait to get these on!

cruiserdude · 03-10-2007, 07:31 PM

Your assumption on order is what I would do. As for the curved washer I would place it so it will bend and create added pressure though I don't know why it would be bent in the first place.

**Mtbcoach** · 03-10-2007, 07:54 PM

Not sure I understand your order, maybe I'm slow. But, I would have frame, slider bracket, flat washer, lock washer, bolt.

bgilbert · 03-10-2007, 07:57 PM

Maybe I am mis-reading this, but the bolt goes thru the washers, with the locking washer closest to the head of the bolt and the flat washer against the slider...

(yeah, what mtb said, beat me to it!)

Pinker · 03-10-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Mtbcoach previously said:

Not sure I understand your order, maybe I'm slow. But, I would have frame, slider bracket, flat washer, lock washer, bolt.

or in reverse, bolt, lock washer, washer, slider frame. Doesn't matter the curvature in or out for the reg washer. They will sock up tight enough. Just make sure you sync the top bolts first so alignment goes easier.

P.S. do yourself a favor, coat the entire rails with the bedliner. I did mine the same way your about to do yours and 3 weeks later, I was taking them off due to rust forming on any leading edge towards the front of the rig. 5 coats of paint primer combo just doesn't hold up. Do it right the first time because after you put them on, you won't want to do it again. It's a beotch!

***TennesseeSquire*** · 03-10-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Mtbcoach previously said:

Not sure I understand your order, maybe I'm slow. But, I would have frame, slider bracket, flat washer, lock washer, bolt.

Quote:

bgilbert previously said:

Maybe I am mis-reading this, but the bolt goes thru the washers, with the locking washer closest to the head of the bolt and the flat washer against the slider...

(yeah, what mtb said, beat me to it!)

That's how mine will been done as.

BoulderSean · 03-10-2007, 10:23 PM

Thanks much Mtbcoach and bgilbert.
Yeah, I woulda been an idiot and ended up with the washers between the frame and slider. Looking at the pic really makes sense.

Pinker, what if I just primer them then go black on bottom and the bracket/gussets and then just do the top bit with bedliner? Think that'll work?

I'm just figuring I don't really want the part that might be scraped up (underneath) done in bedliner so it doesn't peel. Keep it easy to touch up.

accunlmtd · 03-11-2007, 07:00 AM

I just mounted my Trail gears yesterday. That top front bolt is a real pain on both sides. If you have big hands...forget it. get the girlfriend or spouse to det it started.

Oh, test start EVERY bolt in every hole. a lot of crud accumulates in those holes.
As for a wrench, no socket will fit on the bottom bolts, I started with a open end wrench, then remembered that someone gave me a set of those ratcheting wrenchs for Christmas...that was a god-send for exactly this.
I also found that once you have it hanging by a couple bolts...crawing underneith was a heck of a lot easier that trying to do it from the side.
Keep all bolts loose until youhave them all started. then start tightening.

For what it;s worth

Al in Colorado

FJHammer · 03-11-2007, 07:57 AM

Mount the slider to the frame; Bolt, Flat washer,Slider,Frame, Lockwasher,nut. And some kind of lubricant so you can remove them. Mine rusted in 6Months. I have to take them back off and repaint them. do a good job removing the grease and Roughing up the surface.

I think I will have mine professionally painted this time

Nevada_FJ · 03-11-2007, 09:12 AM

I just took mine off after 4 months for the same reason as Pinker. I primed and painted five coats in total. It did not last rust started to form all over the leading edges and under where I scraped them. I took them off and went the bedliner route this time. I found a guy that did three coats (very heavy) for $120. I know it will rip off but It should last long and I can always hit the under side scratches with a spray can.

Good luck after 4 months I had forgoten how hard it was to get them back on. I have one hole that does not line up. Leave everything loose until all bolts are in and start of the top.