Am I dreaming if I think I can install a set of rock sliders myself?

... as the title says, I want to get my sliders on but I don't have help (just me) and I don't have a lift. Bolt-on sliders.

My plan for example is to get the slider onto a set of jack stands (edit: I also have a floor jack which is better, thanks Drizzoh and RoadWarrior) and get it approximately in the right place, then crawl under the truck and secure the bolt at one end, then secure the other end in place, then finally all the bolts in between. I'm pretty sure I'm missing something critical here. Is this even possible or am I thinking pie in the sky?

Also: if you read this far, if you're around the GTA have access to a lift and want to help me install these sliders, I've got a brand new Mityvac pneumatic fluid extractor (hooks up to shop air) I'll give you.

Thanks everyone

 

That is how most do it. Having a jack will help. They're heavy and bulky but should not be an overly difficult job.

Leave all the fasteners loose until they are all in place, then torque them down.

 

If you have a couple of floor jacks, you can probably do it yourself.

I installed mine last weekend with the help of two friends and it was extremely hard but that was because we didn’t have a jack.

 

Thanks guys. Yes I do have a floor jack (only 1) so I figure I can balance the slider on the cradle, jack up as close to position as possible, then affix fasteners.

 

i have installed several sets of bolt on sliders myself. it's definitely doable. jack it up, put some stands or wood under it when it's in place, and bolt them in. not too hard. just don't let it fall on your head!

 

Definitely doable with only a jack. Find your balance point, jack it into place, and secure all fasteners loosely; then snug it all up. Some jackstands are a nice addition for that added insurance, in case your jack fails.

 

Jacks?! You bunch of wussies! Lift scooch and palm one end, lift, scooch and knee/foot the other end and put the bottom frame rail set screw in with your free hand! Cmon! Easy peasy!

 

With the RCI sliders one bolt near the middle will hold the slider up allowing you to easily fasten the rest. I used a 1x6 board and a floor jack. Balance is key.

 

I did mine by myself with only a bottle jack and a hand dolly

 

What all these guys said for sure. I’m no expert and haven’t tried sliders but I find if you take your time, don’t rush it and you have the tools and aren’t intimidated you can do it. Just don’t rush it carve out a full day and giv’r! Good luck post pics I’m shopping sliders now so like to see the result

 

I did it with minimal help from the wife. The floor jack just got in the way. CBI sliders with one bolt in the middle to hold it up and then add all the other bolts.

 

Thanks for your replies everyone, you're all great. I'll let you know how it goes

 

Yep, that’s the exact method we used. Throw one bolt in there to hold it up and then do the rest. Those suckers are heavy!

 

It's overkill for just sliders, but if you have other armor to install (like a rear bumper), you could build a platform out of scrap wood, something like this:



Remove the swivel off the hydraulic jack and bolt the platform to it:

 

Mine shipped on some wood blocking nailed together so Fedex could move it around during shipment. I just used that on the jack to support while I lifted it up.

 

Complete newb here myself, but I managed to install mine in my gravel driveway and didn’t even have a floor jack. Just used some blocks of wood til I got it kind of close. Then crawled on under and made it happen. You got this.

 

Yep, same as everyone else. Get some reps in before hand or use the jack stands as safety's to catch it if it falls and to balance it while it's on the jack.

 

Jack stand and a dream



Keep bolts loose until the very end.

 

Floor jack and a piece of scrap 2x4. Laid the slider on the lumber, lifted it up. Ran one bolt through and the rest is easy peasy.

 

Easiest DIY way, with very little effort is with milk crates and some plywood. (milk crate slides easier on the plywood)

In this pic I just used one milk crate, and balanced the sliders on it, (2 would prob be a little safer as you would not have to balance)

Then pushed the milk crate under the truck,

Climbed up underneath and used one hand to lift the slider and the other to install bolts.

Add a floor jack to the mix if you don't want to lift the slider when you install bolts.