Old Man RSG Slider review / install

Well after a hard fought decision as much as I wanted to get the RSG or Westcott sliders I don’t off road so I really don’t need sliders. I bought the same side steps I had on my 17 and 20 Pro’s. My wife and I like the Tyger star steps. The finish is awesome on them. Had them for a long time on both of those vehicles and never rusted or chipped. They come thru with a bed liner finish. Also just received a prom code for them. Plus they stick out over 5 inches makes for a firm step and really prevent door dings. If I did off roading I would have gone true slider. I cannot pass up the price plus the promo on these.

 

Those look nice, if I didn't have aspirations of off-roading I'd go that route.

 

Thanks. Yeah I live in Pa and the shit they put down on the roads are terrible. But I heard many of times when I had them stones hitting them hard and never got and chips in them.

 

So my sliders are now on…my installation experience was a-typical, as detailed in my build thread.

 

For you guys that did use a tap to clean holes before installation, I’m reading it’s a size M8 (8mm diameter shank) with a thread pitch of 1.25 mm. I would like to clean the holes to make sure I won’t have problems installing in advance. I’m reading a few holes don’t have enough clearance to insert the tap and for same reason also can’t be tightened with a socket? Has anyone used thread chaser vs a tap? Some claim a tap is more aggressive and may not be advisable to use just to clean threads. I’m not sure why threads could not be safely cleaned with a tap? Any advice for those that have done it?

 

RSG Sliders are way better built than the RCI

I suggest ordering them with the powder coat. If you took this to a powder coat company it would cost about $400 so it is a pretty good value. If you paint it, it won't last and you will be disappointed.

 

My neighbor was really impressed with the RSG weld and build quality, so consider that a vote for RSGs.

 

M8x1.25 is the right one.

You don’t want to cut new threads, just clean, and even then only to the extent necessary.

I had ONE hole that needed it.

Also, if you don’t know what you are doing, maybe consider having someone else help. No shame in it - heck, my neighbor saved my ass on this one.

 

Do you agree a “tap” is the correct tool to clean threads? One guy on a Utube video said use a “thread reconditioner” instead of a tap. If such a tool exists it has to be a tap that is fabricated to have thinner threads and not be very sharp.

 

Mine is a 2020 with 54,000 miles. A nylon brush & toothbrush worked great for me. Dried mud was all I had, no rust. I then Manually used the extra bolt to make sure the holes were clear. I really did not need to use much more torque then gravity on of the Socket Wrench handle to verify holes were clear. I was surprised it was that pristine, considering a couple years of mud, dirt & sand. (But no road salt in FL).

 

My thread chasing kit proved to not be sufficient because the one of the holes had threads that weren't totally correct from the factors - you could see it on the self tapping screw for the bracket holding the emergency brake...and also because the replacement bolt was going in crooked.

It's important to differentiate between threads that need to be cleaned of dirt and debris, threads that have rust, threads that need a little fixing, and threads that are really damaged.

In my case, my neighbor used just a small portion of the tap.

 

I have the RSG Sliders and Skid plates underneath and their quality is excellent. I'm also fortunate that I live in CO only an hour from their shop so I had them install them. I could have done it but like giving them the business, plus they are all really great people.

 

I do not suggest using taps to clean existing threads. In most cases, the tap ends up removing material from the threadform making for a loose fastener fit afterward. Threads are cut to different tolerances . . . and taps are manufactured to different tolerances so draw your own conclusion.

Thread chasers are much like taps but the thread form is less sharp and slightly undersized so that they DON'T remove material when cleaning existing holes.

A cheap thread chaser kit (or even just the size you need) for one time use is the way to go. Search for "M8x1.25 thread chaser" on AMZ yields a whole kit for ~30. You're not building racing engines or aircraft here, so cheap quality for limited use will work just fine (quality ideology and geopolitical financial opinions aside).

Jason

 

Tap should be what you go to because the chaser doesn't work AND you know what you're doing...