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- I start this thread with high hopes that other's who have done the Ace Slider install, will post here what their experience was with the install on their JL/JLU.
$ Important: Call ACE to order your Ace products and ask them for the forum discount or military discount and save a few $.
The info in this thread will also be pertinent to those that install any brand of slider that uses the vehicle's body bolts to secure the sliders to the vehicle.
Note: If your JL/JLU has rock rails/ "rubi rails", they do not need to be removed in order to do the Ace Slider install. The Ace Sliders use the body bolts for mounting and the rock rails do not.
The install of Ace Sliders on a new Jl/JLU is really an easy process even if you are not that mechanically inclined... regardless of whether you are a 16yo or 80+ yo.
You will need the following tools for the slider install:- Long Handle (say 24") Breaker Bar Tool 1/2" Drive
- 6" Extension Bar 1/2" drive
- Torque Wrench 1/2" Drive
- 18mm 12 pt. 1/2" drive socket
- Small Pry Bar
Do have a second set of hands (Wife or Husband will do) as it is easier to deal with the install if you have somebody help you hold the slider up during the install versus balancing the slider on buckets, etc..
Important: When you break loose the body bolt(s) and then when unloosening to remove, you pull downward on the bolt a little or it will often just turn, turn, turn and not come out. You can place a small pry bar, etc. between bolt head and frame (see pic below) and use it to apply a little downward pressure on the body bolt when unscrewing it and they come right out.
Do one slider at a time. Do not remove all body bolts on the vehicle at the same time!
Torque body bolts to the torque recommended by Ace.
Not torquing to properly may find the bolts working loose/ walking out, in a few days!
When reinstalling body bolt(s), always insert bolt and hand tighten it first! You do not want to cross thread the body bolt. You must push firmly upward when trying to thread the body bolt or it will not grab and just keep turning and turning without grabbing. Tighten up the body bolt real tight with a socket wrench. Careful not to over tighten and break the body bolt.
After both sliders are bolted up, use a torque wrench to torque all the body bolts to the torque recommended by Ace. If you do not have a torque wrench, you can drive a couple of miles or so to a friend that has a torque wrench or to a local automotive shop and have them torque the body bolts for you.
You can do no harm by trying / doing your own Ace Slider install. Worse case scenario you have to get someone at the last minute to help you out.....you have to drive to your local shade tree mechanic/garage with a body bolt partially in or out. And of course, your local stealership will bail you out..
Note: If you don't have the 24" breaker bar tool, pry bar and the socket, go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy them. Save your receipt! You can do as many others do, (yeah, maybe not right to do so but..) use the tool and then return to where you purchased for a full refund on the same day. The socket will probably not be refundable as it will be marred with use but the handle will not see any evidence of use as long as you don't bang it around. As far as the torque wrench to do the torquing..... IF you don't have one just stop by a local Mom and Pop garage and ask the guy there for him to use his torque wrench to torque the bolts.(Takes 5 min.) He will either charge you a few $ or do for a small say $10 tip. (Most guys/gals that own torque wrenches will wisely not loan them out) You can always buy a torque wrench and return that as you do the breaker handle. Reality is the tools mentioned are nice to have around the home garage so you may just want to buy and keep. - Long Handle (say 24") Breaker Bar Tool 1/2" Drive
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