I am filming while installing the bars and taking pictures as well. It is taking a long time not only because of the documention, but I make sure to be very thorough and get it right the first time. It is OK though because when I was looking for information on the OUO bars it was few and far between.

I want people to learn from what I have done and be able to make an informed decision and be comfortable with spending their own money.

Just a couple of teaser pictures for now. The full write up will come along later with the video.

 

If you do a video add some swank 70s **** music cuz those are some beautiful parts there.

 

I am very, very pleased with the build quality and sturdiness of the parts. Although, the instructions are trash. I mean it, they are an utter disappointment.

I managed to download a soft copy from a restricted portion of the OUO website that is much more clear and easier to follow. I will be using these tomorrow when I continue. I really don't know what they were thinking when they sent the instructions I received.

 

Subscribing....

 

These bars (with the 4" block for air suspension) are on my list after my engine is squared away. I'm anxious to see how this turns out.

 

A bit more progress today with pictures. I broke a bit off in the frame on the passenger side when drilling the 8 holes, yes 8 holes for the front mounting bracket. That took me quite a bit of time to get fixed and have the hole exactly where I wanted it. It took me longer to drill the last one with the broken bit than it did the other 7.

Anyway, tomorrow is our mandatory family day off, so more work on the bars will have to wait until Monday.

Still very impressed with the quality of the parts and the overall robustness of how it seems to be going together. The instructions still suck though...

Below are a couple more teaser pictures.

 

Drilling frames it tough work, tougher with a broken bit. It seems like after about 3 holes the bit's dull to boot. Are there some holes going into the frame flange there? It looks like a bolt hole down the bottom of the frame flange. What's that blue thing?

 

The blue thing is a Quick grip. It's holding the mount in place.

 

Blue thing is air compressor hose that leads to the reel with 100' of hose.

Not sure what you mean by "holes into the frame flange". The picture with the clamp was taken as a mock up so I could be sure where to drill and that it was perfectly lined up with the drivers side.

EDIT: Hahaha, I thought you meant the blue hose in the background. Like CampSpringsJohn said it is a clamp like found in the link below. They are great for a lot of things that don't require the full power of a C-clamp.

https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-QUICK-G...ick-grip+clamp

 

Looking good Sous keep up the good work.

 

Looks great so far! Drilling the frame bracket holes was the most PITA part of the installation on the PMF bars I used too. You'll love how the truck drives after though!

 

I really think it will make a difference. The hardware is very stout.

I am doing the passenger side first because I figured it would be easier so I could get my lessons learned out of the way before moving to the drivers side. I was glad to see there was plenty of space near the Racor screen for the mount on the drivers side though.

More pictures to come.

 

The frame flanges are the short sections at the top and bottom of frame that are bent inward before the frame is heat treated. I expect that the tall, vertical section of the frame would be called the web, it is in structural steel. It looks like there are bolt holes in your mounting bracket that require holes be drilled in the frame flanges.

Edit: It took me a while to figure out what they are too but every heavy truck has a sticker on it at the fuel tank that reads, "Do not drill or weld frame flanges".

 

Mark, I now understand what you are saying. I didn't know the horizontal portion of the frame was called a flange, I just assumed it was the "frame".

There will be 8 holes for each bracket for each side and 16 in total. 4 holes in the flange and 4 holes in the web as you describe it for each bracket. I assume that these holes (3/8") would not cause any problem structurally because they are quite small compared to the frame itself and in the center of the flange. Also, they will be reinforced by the bracket itself and grade 8 bolts when complete.

In the pictures below you can see where I marked/scored the drilling locations and then the holes. They are pretty dead center of the flange and the frame is very thick there.

 

Looks like you are doing a great job so far. I would be interested in driving a truck with and with out the bars. Always thought it was interesting. Hope all goes well with the rest of the install.