RCI rock slider install

A question for anyone with the RCI rock sliders installed on their 3rd gen; how in the heck do you get the rear M8 bolt plate inserted into the frame? Please tell me it's not through the hole located on the inside of the frame right next to the exhaust pipe?

I started the install today and obviously RCI is closed until Monday so any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Looks like they have detailed install instructions on the website - CrewMax or doublecab? If CM, 5.5 or 6.5 bed?

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/rock-sliders-22-present-tundra/

 

from what i can remember yes you put it through one of the holes that’s wide enough and use the rope string to align it. i’ll see if i can get a pic in the morning.

 

I should of mentioned that I've been following their instructions but I hastily created the thread right before bed. The instructions for the steps that I'm on are not clearly written. In general the instructions are inconsistent and vague. Just one example would be where they tell you to use the 5/16 washers but in the parts list they're labeled as ".3125" washers".

Also, the idea of having to use a little piece of string to retrieve the plate out of the frame if you ever remove the sliders seems a little "light duty". How well could a piece of string taped to the frame rail hold up after a few years?

 

That would be great if you could! Really hoping to finish the install before Monday.

 

Where is the next closest bolt? Asking cuz is the bolt you are trying to put in even going to make a difference by not installing it? I have installed a couple sliders and been forced to leave off a bolt or two and it made no difference in the function of the sliders.

 

I wish that was the case, but the slider uses 4 bolts on the underside and I've only got in 2 and they are both on the front end of the slider.

The driver side of the truck has holes on the bottom of the frame for bolts to pass through, but they're not threaded. So you have to pass a threaded plate through the frame and move it into position so the bolts have something to screw into.

I managed this for the front two bolts, but the access for the rear plate is terrible. I called it quits last night when I had that feeling of "I could do this next thing, but the next thing might be not be the right thing and then I've done a very bad thing"

 

Ugh, I see. Only four bolts, wow they have really eliminated some hardware. Well I wish you luck getting it done and wish I could help you further. Surprised the kit doesn’t come with those metal bolt fish wires that come in say, trailer hitch kits. Especially if you have to pass a plate into the frame and line it up with a bolt. See pic. They work great.

 

I’ve done it with the help of a friend. The instructions are a pita and written like an engineer did it with no cs experience.
They also provide 3d scans which make it hard to interpret imo.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...gen-tundra-today.104778/page-191#post-3490756

What others have said is correct though. You’ve got to push it into the frame and fish it in place. If I remember right we used binding wire on both ends, fished it through and one of us held it in place while one of us put in the bolt to hold it in place.

Good luck though. Definitely doable.

 

I described the instructions the exact same way to my wife while I was venting my frustrations. It would be extremely helpful if they tell you from the beginning that the driver side is different than the passenger side.

And the CAD drawings are absolutely worthless.

 

For sure. It made it hard to figure out and a quarter of the install time was just figuring out what they meant.
Post pics when done if you’re not already.

 

Can anyone confirm that this is the rear most hole you're supposed to pass the M8 bolt plate through? The last half inch of the bar is getting hung up.

 

Finally got it done. Turns out the hole in the frame in the above picture as the correct hole to insert the bolt plate, I just needed to commit a bit more.

The install took WAY longer than I'd care to admit but I'm going to blame that on the terrible instructions. I was also shipped the wrong top plate for the driver side, so it's a bit unfinished, but I'm happy with the end result!

 

How are you gonna remedy that? Send it back for the right one? Or are they sending a replacement and you do with the wrong one as you want? Just wondering why you put the wrong one on.

 

I apologize about not getting to you sooner, glad you were able to get further on the install. Give them a call in the am on monday, i believe they’re closed on the weekend.

 

The slider and top plate ate two separate pieces. The slider installed correctly, but the driver side top plate doesn't fit. They're already sending me the correct replacement so I can do whatever I want with the wrong one.

 

Ahh, ok. Sounds like they have good customer service. I’m glad it’s working out for you.