WK Sliders install

[DocPaulo]

I get to pick up my sliders this weekend... they are an awesome shop to deal with... smooth transaction.

Any install tips?

[olyelr]

A couple beers and a short evening and I had mine installed by myself.

No matter how you look at it they are a bit of a pain in the ass. I did it laying on the ground on my creeper. Im not so sure it would have been easier on a lift or not (I dont really think it would be). Jack-stands are an absolute must to do it by yourself. Many areas have extremely tight tolerances, some with almost no room for hands/fingers to install the bolts.

I cant remember which bolts exactly, but a few of them were so close to the body that the washers were rubbing the body when the truck wiggled at all and it was giving me squeaks and vibrations when driving. So keep an eye on that. I had to grind a flat spot on a few of the washers.

I agree with it being a great company/transaction. I remember talking with some lady who flat out knew her shit when it came to their products!

[Chromolykid]

They really are great people to deal with. I did mine with jack stands and a floor jack. Got everything started and then raised or lowered appropriately to make them level. I did have one squeak from a washer, driver’s side front somewhere, but I loosened everything and slid the whole slider forward a quarter inch and it went away. They have already saved my rocker panels several times, worth every penny. All the vertically challenged people in my life appreciate them too, I never actually use them as a step myself except to climb over a Rambox.

[DamageWagon]

Jack and two stands. Don’t drop it on your face or your head will explode. It’s best to bias the sliders a little lower, the cab moves quite a bit and if you go high it’s easy to get the cab to hit the brackets and get a click or squeak. Otherwise, go at it with an A+ attitude expecting the install to suck and you’ll be good!

[DocPaulo]

Thanks.. exactly the info I'm looking for..

Good advice on keeping it lower to minimize rubbing...

Have the jackstands and creeper... as well as several jacks...

I ordered mine an inch wider so it sticks out a bit more as steps...

[olyelr]

Have the jackstands and creeper... as well as several jacks...

What about beer... you have the beer?

[DocPaulo]

Have the jackstands and creeper... as well as several jacks...

What about beer... you have the beer?

They are chilling in the refrigerator

[TommyG]

A buddy to hand you beers err...I mean wrenches and hardware is a big help too.

[OffroadTreks]

It was just annoying enough to make me wish I paid the $120 to have them installed. It's not a difficult task, just an annoying task.

Kind of like those bolts where you have to use two open end sockets to loosen them. One to hold the center and one to loosen the bolt. And that makes something easy take twice as long. Yeah, it's like that.

[KevinABQ]

I paid to have them installed and think I need to fiddle with them due to the squeaking.

[OffroadTreks]

Mine squeaked at first too, the same place everyone talks about, up by the front driver's side. It eventually went away.

[Bill2014]

The newly installed WK Sliders will squeak for a few weeks (or months) - but then eventually the squeaking finally stops.
I installed them at the highest position possible (pushing them upward as I tightened everything)
I was one of the first to install them on the latest gen truck and assumed that was why they were squeaking so bad...

Subsequent people that installed them at the lowest possible position also had squeaking which also eventually went away

[olyelr]

I paid to have them installed and think I need to fiddle with them due to the squeaking.

Crawl around under there and look at each washer. I think I had one touching on the passenger side too.

Mine squeaked at first too, the same place everyone talks about, up by the front driver's side. It eventually went away.

I suppose once the washer and body rub enough they will eventually wear down and stop squeaking.

[Bill2014]

I understand the frustration because the squeaking is loud and wicked annoying - But - do nothing - it eventually goes away for everyone whether they try to adjust things or not

[HeavyDuty]

I had some wicked squeaking clicking sound. Just had to adjust a few bolts. I too was concerned they wouldn’t stick out far enough to use as a step but it actually is great. Very slippery though. I added black sandpaper tape. That fixed that problem. Unfortunately when you slide out of the seat lazily the tape rips off all the skin from the back of your calf🤬

[DocPaulo]

. Unfortunately when you slide out of the seat lazily the tape rips off all the skin from the back of your calf🤬

That was my plan.. may have to rethink it...

Thanks for all the suggestions... i have a buddy that will help with handing the beer.... and a wrench or two...

[machete-lc]

I had a slight fender bender that trashed my old steps so when I went to get it repaired I upgraded to the WK sliders with the diamond plate installed. The body shop insisted that they install them (they came in about 5 weeks after repairs were completed) so I complied like a good customer. They said it was pain in the ass but also noted they thought the WK sliders were one of the coolest things they had seen. I have absolutely no regrets! They look good, work great for the little lady as steps and give me great piece of mind offroad.

Squeaks stopped after I snugged up the bolts after having them on for about a month.

[DocPaulo]

Its probably in the instructions but what kind of torque do the bolts need?

[DamageWagon]

Its probably in the instructions but what kind of torque do the bolts need?

Without reading if they have different specs, standard spec for a grade 8 1/2”-13 bolt is 130-150ftlb, but you probably will not need to get that high, particularly because you are not using the bolt in a clamping application (yes it’s clamping the frame but the real application strength of the system is direct tension against the bolt thread during an impulse). I would replace those split lock washers with real locknuts if the bolts are long enough. Wow cool too many nerd terms.

[Shaved Ice]

Overall, my install was quick and easy using the techniques already mentioned. I didn’t use a torque wrench. I just tightened each as much as I could with my 12 inch ratchet.

I figured there is no way my 205 pound a$$ was going to bend metal strong enough to support the weight of the truck. I only use a torque wrench when am worried about over-tightening something.

[HeavyDuty]

Ya I second that. Tight is tight
When I replace my frog tape this summer I will make sure to only apply it to the very top of the tube and not have it wrap around slightly as I did last time

One more note. I had mine powder coated black right from the manufacturers. This is the first winter and there is a lot of rust showing up already. A lot of salt on the roads up here in the Canadian Rockies.

[olyelr]

This is the first winter and there is a lot of rust showing up already. A lot of salt on the roads up here in the Canadian Rockies.

Same here, kinda. I'm on my second winter with the. Its not horrible on mine yet by any means, but I also rarely drive my truck during the winter months, and when I do I wash it right after.

[DocPaulo]

Part of why I'm spray can painting mine.. figured powder coat wasnt going to last after the first rock scrape

[olyelr]

Part of why I'm spray can painting mine.. figured powder coat wasnt going to last after the first rock scrape

Honestly, nothing will last if they get used like they were intended. Best to rattle can them at that point, so touch-ups are easy. I have never wheeled in the rocks, so just dirt hills and stuff have scraped mine. Small stone chips too.

[DocPaulo]

Got to meet John today... very nice guy...

Boy these things are heavy duty... i realized they were built like a tank but nothing like seeing it in person... very nice quality