I install these for a living. I also tow with them for a living also as my second job. The bolt that goes through the cross member is the correct location for that row of bolts on the rail. You have to use what is referred to as a Handle Nut for that bolt. It is literally a 3/4" nut that is pre-welded to a long handle. One person holds the handle Nut inside the cross member from the side of the truck while one person in the bed lines up the bolt and spins the bolt to grab a few threads and then the person in the bed can zap a 3/4" Grade 5 bolt (not a carriage bolt) from the top of the bed, and because the nut has a handle, it will prevent itself from just spinning when you hit it with an impact from the top because the handle wedges itself inside the cross member. Actually a lot easier than it sounds. I've done it tons of times.

"Large quantity of profanity". That could be the best line I have ever heard on youtube!

@VanDamArtisan

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it. This kit was a bit of a pain.

I'm thinking, mark the areas of where the cross members are and the rest, on top of the bed itself so you can see directly what you are drilling into area wise. This would require sweeping the dirt away though... lol. I hate using a hand drill on steel, especially hardened, it's always easier when you have a small pilot hole drilled though. Also, lock washers have to be mandatory. I'll be tacking some welds onto it as well. I'm glad to see you didn't have to drop the gas tank, I was worried about that, which is what prompted me to google it up which brought me here. Mine is a 98 Ram, 1500, so should be the same as yours I'll assume. Also, I was thinking a simple work around for the nuts you can't access normally, drill a larger hole underneath so you can fit a socket through to reach it.

@VanDamArtisan

Жыл бұрын

Some good ideas here. I'm still using the hitch. I sold the truck but the hitch fits on my newer truck that had the rails already installed.

Just one comment, who doesn't clean the bed out before installation? My OCD went in to defcon 5!

@VanDamArtisan

2 жыл бұрын

........

@deej19142

2 жыл бұрын

@@VanDamArtisan I forgot to add great video I'm getting ready to do this in the next couple of days Thanks

@VanDamArtisan

2 жыл бұрын

@@deej19142 best of luck. I had to wrestle it a bit.

Was this a long or short box ram?

@VanDamArtisan

5 жыл бұрын

Short

Do you know the measurements to install rails in a longbed?

@VanDamArtisan

3 жыл бұрын

I believe it's 8' exactly

@jamescounts6467

3 жыл бұрын

@@VanDamArtisan yes the bed is 8'. The measurement from the end of the bed to the rail is what I'm looking for.

@VanDamArtisan

3 жыл бұрын

I made a lumber rack once and I think the inside dimension of the bed was about half an inch more than 8', so if you make or buy one that is between maybe 7'9" and 8', it should fit fine.

@aronbennett8204

3 жыл бұрын

@@jamescounts6467 don’t listen to Reese.. after following instructions and measurements my king pin was 6” IN FRONT OF THE AXLE

Does the kit come with the rails?

@VanDamArtisan

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

Instead of the music why don't you tell what you are doing!

Would I be able to install this if I installed a airbag towing kit

@VanDamArtisan

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I don't think that would be a problem

@poysunivey

4 жыл бұрын

Yes. Airbags replace the factory bump stops. They are right above the axle. Should fit with no issue.

I will pay someone to install mine.

@VanDamArtisan

3 жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I said after installing mine. In fact, the next truck I bought, I made sure it already had the rails installed.

You installed it wrong

@VanDamArtisan

3 жыл бұрын

Possibly.