RCI slider install on kdss 4runer?

Does anyone have a trick to getting the driver-side RCI slider installed around the kdss plumbing?

I got the passenger side installed fine. working on the ground. don't have lift. this is on a 2023 ORP.

 

I put a plastic pry piece behind the line where the bolt connects to the frame. Then pulled on it gently to get the slider behind it. I think some people use flat head screw drivers or wood shims.

once you get it behind that it goes right up. An extra hand helps to push it up and angle it.

 

More help in this thread

 

I had a friend help me. He held the line away from the frame, while I slid the slider underneath. The lines fit tight, but it all goes back together well.

 

I cut a small block of material and greased it. Levered the KDSS lines away from the frame with a long screwdriver and snuck the block in behind the lines. Then with a single bolt I attached the leading edge of the slider to the frame, and then with a scissors jack I raised the rear of the slider up and the mounting surface of the slider pushed the block out, and voila the slider was behind the tubes. There are several steps involved but they didn’t take long and made the job easy.

 

@djwantke did you mean to add a link?

 

Click on the arrow ↑ to the right of Thatbassguy and it takes you to a post in the thread that I'm implying where guys are talking about different sliders fitting around kdss

 

Thanks! That’s a feature of the board I was unaware of.

I know RSG sliders require cutting the skid. I don’t know about RCI’s

 

RCI requires no cutting

 

Thanks for all the tips. Will give it another try tonight after work.

--pat

 

I just used a piece of webbing to gently pull the KDSS lines away from the frame while my friend used a motorcycle lift to raise the slider. Easy peasey. Yes, the RSG sliders require KDSS skid trimming. No biggie. Hit it with Rust-Oleum. RSG website has images of the trim job. I don't remember if the instructions included pics.

No pics... guess I'm worthless.


Captain's directions for the RCI sliders are on point.

 

the webbing trick worked. I got it installed tonight with the help of my wonderful wife!

 

Yee haa!

 

How difficult was her part of it? I'm considering the RCI sliders and would likely depend on spousal assistance to install them. My wife is not mechanically inclined, but she has decent strength for short intervals. Her patience varies.

 

Not hard. Just had to run the floor jack while I jockeyed the thing around from underneath. she also yanked on the webbing to pull the rear part of the kdss plumming away from the frame. Had to show her how to raise and lower the jack. I had two plastic tubs that I used as stands for holding up slider as well. In the end, I used one tub and the floor jack. the hard part was getting the front mounting plate behind the kdss plumbing. The front goes in from above but needs to go behind a bit so that the rear slider plate can be lowered enough to get it behind the kdss plumbing there.

 

I unbolted the KDSS lines that were attached to the frame, including the spot right by the driver side rear wheel then used a long screwdriver to slowly pull the KDSS lines away from the frame while pushing up the RCI sliders.

 

Best part of this is "her patience varies."....hilarious, and been there too.

 

I was able to install the RCI sliders and set of 3 skid plates plus cat guards on my KDSS 4runner on the ground, with no lift and no spousal assistance needed. Just to reassure you that it's possible to do it without any extra hands. I used a floor jack plus jackstands, it wasn't what I'd call an easy job, required some wrestling etc but got it done and I've never installed either before. Just watched some videos and followed the instructions. Good luck!

 

Spousal assistance adds another hour or two to the job, as I have to wait for her to complete the three other jobs she discovered needed doing after I ask for help.

 

do the RCI skid plates have anything to beef up the kdss line protection that crosses the bottom of the frame? I am somewhat worried that that could be a weak point for any rock sliding.

 

No, the skid plates don't go out far enough towards the side to cover that up. They do hang down about 2" lower than the OEM KDSS shield though which may help. RCI may sell something to beef that area up though, I'm not sure.

 

Seems like it should work.