Thought I'd finally get around to installing my Demello bolt-on sliders this afternoon bit I ran into some (what I consider) major issues installing my Demello sliders:
Start off with,.. I can only install two of the through-frame bolts solidly, with a third having to go where the frame gets wider so it is NOT square to the frame. The fourth on (towards the rear) would install if I didn't mind it penetrating the gas tank an inch... and there would be zero chance of getting a bolt,.. unless again,.. it was IN the gas tank as there is only about 3/8" between the tank and frame on the driver's side. Supposed to put the included plate with welded on nut back there but no room between tank and frame.
Other problem I ran into is that one of the plates do not allow for the brake-lines to be bolted to the frame as the plate interferes exactly with where the brake-lines bolt to the frame (threaded hole - inner frame)... and then again where the plastic clip (about a foot further back) holds them as they bend up to rise and disappear under the gas-tank skidplate.
Third and hopefully final, and most minor issue,.. and this is all on the driver's side,.. the way the scab plate (reinforcing triangular plate on top of final leg) is on the final leg in the rear.. to secure my parking brake to the frame,.. I have to bend it over that reinforcement and just let it rub, hard, on a fairly sharp edge.
Has anyone else run into issues like this?.. I mean,.. I can understand one,.. possibly tow but all three of these,.. and that's just on one side?
To me,.. if I can't get at least one more through the frame bolt in there,.. I can't trust these to withstand the impact of the vehicle possibly dropping onto a rock, can I? The entire rear third is merely supported by 3 small threaded bolts at this time.
My resolution for the bolts/gas tank issue would be to pass the bolts from the inside of the frame and put the reinforcing plates on the outside... IF I wanted to drop the gas tank as, there is no room to pass the bolts through. Is this what others have done?
The pictures I have included show:
1. The plate that is supposed to fit between frame and tank.. obviously being too big to do that and the Bolt hitting the gas tank and...
2. The bolt as far as it will go before it hits the gas tank in the first picture the emergency brake cable,.. already a little scuffed by the plate on the slider... although you can't really see the bend in it from this angle.
I'm going to have another beer now.
Bill
Start off with,.. I can only install two of the through-frame bolts solidly, with a third having to go where the frame gets wider so it is NOT square to the frame. The fourth on (towards the rear) would install if I didn't mind it penetrating the gas tank an inch... and there would be zero chance of getting a bolt,.. unless again,.. it was IN the gas tank as there is only about 3/8" between the tank and frame on the driver's side. Supposed to put the included plate with welded on nut back there but no room between tank and frame.
Other problem I ran into is that one of the plates do not allow for the brake-lines to be bolted to the frame as the plate interferes exactly with where the brake-lines bolt to the frame (threaded hole - inner frame)... and then again where the plastic clip (about a foot further back) holds them as they bend up to rise and disappear under the gas-tank skidplate.
Third and hopefully final, and most minor issue,.. and this is all on the driver's side,.. the way the scab plate (reinforcing triangular plate on top of final leg) is on the final leg in the rear.. to secure my parking brake to the frame,.. I have to bend it over that reinforcement and just let it rub, hard, on a fairly sharp edge.
Has anyone else run into issues like this?.. I mean,.. I can understand one,.. possibly tow but all three of these,.. and that's just on one side?
To me,.. if I can't get at least one more through the frame bolt in there,.. I can't trust these to withstand the impact of the vehicle possibly dropping onto a rock, can I? The entire rear third is merely supported by 3 small threaded bolts at this time.
My resolution for the bolts/gas tank issue would be to pass the bolts from the inside of the frame and put the reinforcing plates on the outside... IF I wanted to drop the gas tank as, there is no room to pass the bolts through. Is this what others have done?
The pictures I have included show:
1. The plate that is supposed to fit between frame and tank.. obviously being too big to do that and the Bolt hitting the gas tank and...
2. The bolt as far as it will go before it hits the gas tank in the first picture the emergency brake cable,.. already a little scuffed by the plate on the slider... although you can't really see the bend in it from this angle.
I'm going to have another beer now.
Bill
