benburnett
Senior Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Posts
- 771
At the shop at 6:30 am this morning to install a set of Firestone Sport Rite bags on my 05 Dodge Dakota truck.
First recommendation would be to let someone else do it.
Had high hopes of being done by 10:00 am. Not to hard to install if you have the right tools. BUY SOME SHARP DRILL BITS!!!!!
First side when in ok. Read the instructions (I know, probably should have waited until I was done on that one) and it stated in the first part to install the bag behind the axle. Shows a picture of the drivers side that should be the passenger side.
No holes in frame to use so have to drill 4 3/8" holes to mount bracket. Box frame on my truck so have to drill though both sides. First side went pretty smooth and took about 2 hours when all was said and done. Air lines easy to run, put them out the bottom holes of license plate.
Now on to passenger side of truck. Instructions say to mirror other side installation and to put bags in front of axle. Well at this point there is no way on god's green earth that the other bag is going to be moved.
Tried to call 800 number to find out how to interpret instructions. Guess they take Sunday's off, the nerve of them.
So started on second side. First hole went fine. Pilot holes went ok for the next 3 holes. Then as I was moving up in bit size to work my up to the 3/8 a bit broke off on me just as it tried to break though the second side. No problem, will just drill this one out. Started drilling with smaller bit and making progress when the bit I was drilling the other bit out with breaks off in the bit. I think this is when the drill hit the ground with some force for the first time.
Tried to drill this mess out for about an hour. About 4 bits later went to Home Depot to replenish bit stock. Also picked up a punch. Came back and punched drill through first side. Crawled under truck tried to pull broken bit out back side, would not come. Broke off bit and shoved stuck part in hole. Life is better now. Drilled two of the remaining 3 holes without a problem. Last hole still broke 3 bits including a 3/8", caught and twisted 3 other bits. Drill hit ground with more force this time and some choice words.
Finally finished last hole, still have to go back to home depot for drill stock again. Took about 30 more minutes to finish install and they work great so far. Truck rides a lot better. I Carry a full load of tools and supplies for my Windshield business on the truck full time and the drivers side is a bit heavier than I realized. Pumped up the passenger side to 12 pounds and it took 40 pounds on the drivers to level it out.
So in summary, 6 hours from start to finish, lost count of how many bits, skin off one knuckle, scratch marks in drill from rapid sliding across cement floor after bounce and one shower later it would have been worth it to pay someone else and watch the grief instead of living it.
Sharp bits would have helped in the first place.
Had to pull the electrical lines away from frame on Drivers side so that I didn't drill them and had to adjust the brake line on drivers side also. Had to cut one bolt off after it was installed on drivers side because it was pressing into side of shock. Passenger side was clear though.
Will be taking fully loaded Bobcat at least to Missouri at the end of next month and possible on to Florida. Depends on where customer wants to meet up at. Will let everyone know how the bags do for the trip.
Will also post a route planner over the next week or so. If anyone wants to see the camper I will be happy to stop along the way to show it.
First recommendation would be to let someone else do it.
Had high hopes of being done by 10:00 am. Not to hard to install if you have the right tools. BUY SOME SHARP DRILL BITS!!!!!
First side when in ok. Read the instructions (I know, probably should have waited until I was done on that one) and it stated in the first part to install the bag behind the axle. Shows a picture of the drivers side that should be the passenger side.
No holes in frame to use so have to drill 4 3/8" holes to mount bracket. Box frame on my truck so have to drill though both sides. First side went pretty smooth and took about 2 hours when all was said and done. Air lines easy to run, put them out the bottom holes of license plate.
Now on to passenger side of truck. Instructions say to mirror other side installation and to put bags in front of axle. Well at this point there is no way on god's green earth that the other bag is going to be moved.
Tried to call 800 number to find out how to interpret instructions. Guess they take Sunday's off, the nerve of them.
So started on second side. First hole went fine. Pilot holes went ok for the next 3 holes. Then as I was moving up in bit size to work my up to the 3/8 a bit broke off on me just as it tried to break though the second side. No problem, will just drill this one out. Started drilling with smaller bit and making progress when the bit I was drilling the other bit out with breaks off in the bit. I think this is when the drill hit the ground with some force for the first time.
Tried to drill this mess out for about an hour. About 4 bits later went to Home Depot to replenish bit stock. Also picked up a punch. Came back and punched drill through first side. Crawled under truck tried to pull broken bit out back side, would not come. Broke off bit and shoved stuck part in hole. Life is better now.
Drilled two of the remaining 3 holes without a problem. Last hole still broke 3 bits including a 3/8", caught and twisted 3 other bits. Drill hit ground with more force this time and some choice words. Finally finished last hole, still have to go back to home depot for drill stock again. Took about 30 more minutes to finish install and they work great so far. Truck rides a lot better. I Carry a full load of tools and supplies for my Windshield business on the truck full time and the drivers side is a bit heavier than I realized. Pumped up the passenger side to 12 pounds and it took 40 pounds on the drivers to level it out.
So in summary, 6 hours from start to finish, lost count of how many bits, skin off one knuckle, scratch marks in drill from rapid sliding across cement floor after bounce and one shower later it would have been worth it to pay someone else and watch the grief instead of living it.
Sharp bits would have helped in the first place.
Had to pull the electrical lines away from frame on Drivers side so that I didn't drill them and had to adjust the brake line on drivers side also. Had to cut one bolt off after it was installed on drivers side because it was pressing into side of shock. Passenger side was clear though.
Will be taking fully loaded Bobcat at least to Missouri at the end of next month and possible on to Florida. Depends on where customer wants to meet up at. Will let everyone know how the bags do for the trip.
Will also post a route planner over the next week or so. If anyone wants to see the camper I will be happy to stop along the way to show it.
