I Drilled 58 Holes In My Truck Body ?

[JTenn]

Yeah, the JT tail light design sucks. And while I love the Oracle looks, I can't get past the reliability issues to drop the money on them. I've got Wolfstorm Sequential tail lights installed that have been flawless for over a year and a half. I broke the right one out 3 times and kept zip tying it back together. They are a true plug and play with not a single issue. But they still hang out like the OEM ones.

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[BajaTym]

While I can't speak for everyone, I'll throw in my 2 cents.

I'm a younger guy … it's not that I don't understand how mechanical things work, or a lack of mechanical experience … especially if something goes wrong. I'm not a paint and body guy, so kinda hard to DIY a fix.

Cool. You may be the exception I was referring to.

The way I see it, most people are capable of doing most things, just not without freaking out about their potential to make mistakes.

In my experience, nearly every fuck-up is is a byproduct of poor planning and basic human errors. If you use the correct tool and plan appropriately (which includes experience-based contingencies) very little will go wrong.

Of course there are exceptions, spouses, personal finance/doubts, and faulty equipment.

Just my personal experience.

 

[JTenn]

These have been flawless for a year and a half. The first time I ripped the light out I contacted them just needing a new plastic mounting tab. They sent me the entire light! That's why I had the extra one put back in the shop. They are very well built.

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[Blade1668]

Oh duh!! That made me laugh. Sometimes I'm way too literal. But thanks.

I still haven't finished drilling all the holes in my LJ for the Rock-hard rocker guards, I've had them on since 05. The ones though the sides of the tub, just 2 on each side. I got a few dings and dented corner from having to dodge someone in Macon GA at a gas station. Of course no armor was installed there.

 

[Reddog]

Looks like you may live in a state that uses that disgusting salt on the roads too.

 

[Jteakus]

I used anti-seize on the stainless retaining bolts just in case I ever have to pull them,

 

[JTenn]

I used anti-seize on the stainless retaining bolts just in case I ever have to pull them,

Their instructions said to locktite the bolts in. Nope!! No way I'm using locktite on a rivnut especially in a body panel. Flat heads tend to lock themselves in anyway because of the angular contact surface.

 

[TXJeepDad]

Hardest mod yet. Not in terms of difficulty but drilling 58 holes in the body of my truck hurt my soul. Ok, not really but I've been sitting on these armor panels for almost a year because I just couldn't bring myself to purposely poke holes in the sides of my truck. I finally worked up the nerve and pulled the trigger. I literally cringed every time I drilled a hole, lol. Now I just need to get the new black armor dirty so it matches everything else. Or wash the truck, yeah, I could do that. Na, mud is more fun.

Indeed ! Looks great ??
It can be nerve racking drilling holes into a perfectly good body panel. But this mod is great insurance on the rocks. I've been out wheeling a dozen times or so and have been very close to hitting the rockers even w fairly robust rock sliders. I can't wait to install mine.
Side note I changed careers and now work in a 4x4 / fabrication shop... I get paid to drill holes in people's vehicles ? Raptor lining a jeep now, sanding perfectly good paint is another level of wild !

 

[AstroZombie]

What prevents water from getting into the holes and creating rust from the inside out?

Aluminum LOL

 

[AstroZombie]

Let us know when you test the dent protection. I bet that's more cringe worthy. looks awesome.

 

[AstroZombie]

Their instructions said to locktite the bolts in. Nope!! No way I'm using locktite on a rivnut especially in a body panel. Flat heads tend to lock themselves in anyway because of the angular contact surface.

i wouldn't either on nutserts. Karma is my boyfreind.

 

[drewcnit]

Hardest mod yet. Not in terms of difficulty but drilling 58 holes in the body of my truck hurt my soul. Ok, not really but I've been sitting on these armor panels for almost a year because I just couldn't bring myself to purposely poke holes in the sides of my truck. I finally worked up the nerve and pulled the trigger. I literally cringed every time I drilled a hole, lol. Now I just need to get the new black armor dirty so it matches everything else. Or wash the truck, yeah, I could do that. Na, mud is more fun.

This is part of my next project as well, so to hear someone else voice what's going through my head just in the planning stages is wild. Last time I had to cut/drill anything on my JT, I had to psych myself up for it beforehand, I'm hoping this time is easier.

To the discussion on loctite - I was helping a buddy install corner armor (it's way easier to cut/drill someone else's rig) and was told to put it on the outer wall of the rivnut near the rim before inserting them into the body panel, supposedly helps it bind to the sheet metal after you crimp them in place. But for the bolts themselves, oh hell no.

 

[RubiAR]

I'm not familiar with those kinds of adhesives, I think I would still prefer hardware to glue for this application. You can remove the armor to repaint the truck or mitigate rust, or just repaint the armor if it gets scraped up.

I've worked with some aircraft sealants that would having you cuss into next week.... cuz that's how long it'll take to remove it

 

[JTenn]

Indeed ! Looks great ??
It can be nerve racking drilling holes into a perfectly good body panel. But this mod is great insurance on the rocks. I've been out wheeling a dozen times or so and have been very close to hitting the rockers even w fairly robust rock sliders. I can't wait to install mine.
Side note I changed careers and now work in a 4x4 / fabrication shop... I get paid to drill holes in people's vehicles ? Raptor lining a jeep now, sanding perfectly good paint is another level of wild !

That is awesome that you're making a living working on fun stuff!! I know perspective is everything but there's something cool about not being tied to an office or factory.

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