auto. thanks tho. How was the tapping? I am guessing the frame is pretty mild steel but probably will order a couple bits and taps just in case. The metal is pretty thin on the frame so makes me a tiny bit nervous on getting a good torq on the bolts without stripping. I guess 25-30 ft/lbs or a so on torq?

 

I used a 1/4" drive long socket extension backwards to extend the tap handle. I spoke to LOD about an issue. The only thing the side rail bolts do is keep the up. All of the impact strength comes from the bottom rail bolts. I blew out one of the side bolts when tightening. I believe they have a torque spec. Don't over tighten. How long is the wait for your rails? It can take a while sometimes.

 

the tracking number said wed. I ordered them from Northridge4x4 and they had them in stock in Denver, I am in Missoula Mt.

 

lucky. I waited 8 weeks. They had to be built.

 

Ok going to go in from the west. What is the best/closest place to the west staging area for a motel/gas etc? Placerville? thanks jeff

 

Check out pollock pines. I got gas there last time. There is a chevron on the south side of 50 that is a little closer.

There is also lodging in kyburz.

 

got a place in Georgetown.

 

put the LoD sliders on today. Definetly a chore. freaking frame is harder steel then I thought. Still not sure if 3 threads is enough but they torqued down snug. Seems like flag nuts would be a better way to go for some of the bolts. the are solid.

 

The frame is surprisingly hard. It wasn't the easiest install and I considered welding them at one point. The hardest part was finding a quality tap in 7/16. I ended up with a cheapo from pep boys. It was shot when I finished.

 

Welding crossed my mind too. I had a quality usa made tap and two cobolt 25/64" bits. I did have two taps on hand but only used one but I did use two bits. Biggest issue I had was I tried using my spring loaded punch which is a quality punch and used it many times and it just wanted to bounce around on the side so I was having a hard time getting a perfectly centered hole. After about 3 broken bits trying to drill pilot holes I said screw it and just drilled thru with the 25/64th bit which worked great. Driver's side was not bad because I could use the tap driver on most of the holes but the passenger side I could not so that was a pain. Definitely solid. I had Ace sliders on my last wrangler and these are much more solid. Also cant see drilling the front hole when the hole is already there to use the bolts and heavy washer. Seems like a better way.