Closed - Internal Stiffeners

With your install and possibly one more done, I'll kick off with confirming 2nd batch and maybe grabbing some steel this coming Friday.

 

I’m planning on making a template of my panels before I install, so you can have the layout of a 22 which has the bed lights shtuffs. I honestly don’t feel it’s an issue, but I know yer like me and “it’s the principle of the thing” where you’re going for reasonable accuracy overall.

 

That'd be really helpful!

During your install just keep this in the back of your mind -



If these slots were either moved a tad outward or widened, will it aid in getting the large hole on the L bracket lined up with the vehicle?

 

Working on passenger side….
Bed lights have a disconnect
But I don’t know what the other is just yet.

 

Oh dang. It’s the inverter wire.

 

Ahh, was the inverter an option for certain trim levels only?

 

TRD up. May only be Offroad and Pro, can’t recall for Sport.

 

Trd. But. Easily solved.

 

Man I did not like that install. No offense. I do like the results though. It was just a lot of strange angles to hold a drill. A smaller drill helps. Not to mention I apparently have a lot going on behind my taillights, electrically speaking. And it got dark while I was working on it, never any fun.

 

Not to worry no offense taken!

It's just like the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie...

 

Got this did. So with careful measuring, my L brackets are pretty near perfect on both sides. This is despite using the wrong horizontal measurement and having to widen the holes with a dremel a 1/4” toward the cab

Pretty sold alignment despite my poor initial measurements on the drivers side. Slotted holes in the corner bracket definitely helped. With the two bolts finger tight, I was able to rotate the L slightly to get this alignment. If it was off significantly, I could have widened the holes to match the slots, since I was already reaming shit.


Something I haven’t seen mentioned yet, is that the middle hole for the bottom of the L bracket, falls directly on a seam. This makes getting this pilot hole started a real F’ing bear. Like @Willy Lump Lump mentioned these 6 holes will test your tolerance for horse shit. Awkward angles and crappy bits meant my drill was walking all over the place. I don’t have a punch, so I wound up using a nail to hammer a dimple to get a pilot hole to start the step bit for each one.


Proper tools and strong core muscles would have made this much easier.

Huge thank you to kwifab for making this happen and all you guys for your tips

 

Unless you pull off that exterior bracket, I would've never known you were slightly off on your initial drilling there.

Looks good!

Man, y'all are really knocking these out quickly.

Yeah it's fair to say that 2nd batch is a go.

 

Only having half the time I normally do, I'll be working on 6 at a time versus 12.

With that said, tagging y'all to confirm your exterior bracket and see which 6 I'll work on first.

Thinking I'll buy steel this coming Friday so I can get started the following Monday.

@clenkeit Plain bracket.
@ticklemytaco No bracket chosen?
@cybrnook Tie down with strap savers.
@waffleiron Tie down with strap savers.
@545 Tie down.
@dmac120 No bracket chosen?
@BluberryBCtaco D F bomb, P Plain bracket?
@GunthorNC Tie down?
@blackenblue Plain bracket.
@CemenTRDgen Plain bracket?
@Alakablamo Plain bracket?
@offroadtoyboy 1 Plain bracket set, 1 F Bomb set?

Also for those wanting tie down or tie down bottle opener variants, please state whether you're interested in a set of strap savers.

I still have some to help fulfill requests for 2nd and possibly 3rd batch.

They're $10 each set, and are paid to @MagicToolbox

 

Plain bracket for me.

 

Tie down + Savers

 

Regular tie downs, please.

 

That is correct. Plain bracket for me. Thanks!

 

Tie down only

 

You guys should start doing sit ups now to strengthen your cores for this install…

 

I had exactly that same problem with that seem. Drivers side was exactly on the worst edge. Passenger I managed to pull off with a 1/16 pilot hole after center punching.

Driver side I wound up drilling a pilot hole in a 1x2 inch piece of steel, then clamping it in place where I wanted the hole and using it as a drill jig.

I'm still feeling my abs from pushing that dang drill though there. I agree that I didn't like the install. I see why other manufacturers are going for the no hidden install. Still glad @Kwikvette made these and that I have it done. Just not interested in going into business installing them in my driveway! A lift would help a lot.