Any good tips installing rock sliders solo

[ericantonio]

Hi guys,
Had my rock sliders for a few weeks now and I think I finally have a free weekend. I live an apartment complex and the 4runner barely fits the garage so I'll have to do it in front of the garage door and hopefully nobody will call the leasing office on me.

I don't have a jack (gave it away), don't have jack stands (gave away), I threw away my Homer 5 gal bucket.

Any tips on doing this solo? I may have to buy a pair of jack stands. If I do? 3ton?

What if I don't have anything, what has your experience been trying to do this on your own. I thought I can lift it up with my legs. Hmmm. I also though of tying a rope to one side, slipping that around the chassis, and hoisting one side up to get the bolt on. And repeating process on end. You guys think that'll work?

Thinking....budget.....

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

If you dont have a jack/stands, go get them. If there are rules like, no broken down cars in your complex's lot (or something along that line) just go to a shop.

 

[ScarfaceT4R]

Well they're not too bad to install alone. Of course, a buddy helps, but doing it by yourself is pretty doable too.

I put my first bolt up closest to front wheels while the rear of the sliders hung to the floor. Then after that front bolt was in hand tight, I lifted up the rear and stuck the rearest bolt in, hand tight. Then hand tighten them all in & adjust the level of the slider as you torque each bolt - this was done on my butt as my knees lifted the slider where need be. You can use a bubble level if you wanna get 'er nice and clean.

Oh, and with a lift, I found the 3 ton jack stands way too small. 6 ton all the way!

Goodluck!

 

[aelarson]

It can be done solo, but a jack will be your best friend.

Lay down a rag over the jack puck, put the slider in the middle of the puck using your balancing skills, jack it up to the appropriate height. You should be able to get 2 or 3 bolts started. Its all downhill once you've got a few bolts going! :tea:

 

[ericantonio]

I think it's time to get a 3 ton jack. I had a smaller one that's why I had to give it away. Was challenging to use on my old '95 F150. Had to shore it up to use. I see a coupon for Harbor for a 3ton for 80 bucks.

 

[Fern]

I used 2 jacks which made it extremely easy. If you are in a pinch, stack up some old lumber, crate, cinder blocks or whatever. Think outside the box. Check out CL for the free stuff.

 

[CF_Machete]

find a local guy to help... post your zip code or state

 

[83Mule]

I just layed down on my back and lifted it at my head off my chest and lifted with my feet at the other and got one bolt in half way.....then slid down toward my feet holding it level then got one rear bolt in......easy after that! (by the way I'm kinda' old so no excuses if you are under 50!!:deadhorse:

 

[TrijiCog]

1) Go buy a jack at WalMart and get a piece of 4" square plywood to put on the jack puck.

2) Install sliders.

3) Return defective jack to WalMart.

 

[halflife78]

Did it solo, used jacks and put paints can under them also in case they slipped off the jacks.

 

[Jetboy]

They're not really that heavy. I'm sure you can lay down underneath and lift into place while you thread in a bolt to get started. I used a floor jack. But you could also just use your OEM bottle jack in the back, although the balance is a bit tricky because it's so narrow.

The easiest way to do anything more than that is to use a clamp. A large size vice grips is what I would otherwise use. Or a small bar clamp. Just get one side close, clamp in place, lift the other size and start one bolt.

My other tips:

For the love of god - buy a $5 tube of anti-seize and use it! These vehicles are insanely prone to hardware rust. Second, start all the bolts before you snug them up. There's always some variation in alignment so getting them all started before tightening is always a good idea.

 

[nvbirdman]

I'm 75 years old and I did mine alone. It wasn't easy, but I did it.