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03-18-2012, 12:41 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,605
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Installed 5er Hitch on New Truck
I just completed installing my old Reese fiver hitch in the new 3500. I purchased the correct frame adapter kit and did the install myself. I bet I saved about $300 and it took about 5 hrs. I took my time and followed the written and YouTube directions to a T. It was a lot harder than it looked in the video, but I had the right tools and attitude. My knuckles, well they didn't fare as well.
Can't wait to try it out. Maybe tomorrow I will take her for a pull.
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03-18-2012, 02:51 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Well done ....... Here is your "At-a Boy" ... At least you know it is done right, Hank
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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03-18-2012, 04:12 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,605
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Actually, I left out one out of ten lock washers. The bolt was in an unreachable location above a heat shield that could not be removed. I had to use axle grease on the flat washer just to make it stick to the bolt long enough to get the nut threaded. It was a real bear. I'll never tell anyone.
Next weekend, I'll tackle the Dexter EZ Flex install.
Hopefully, camping after that.
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03-18-2012, 05:31 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Quote:
Originally Posted by therink
Actually, I left out one out of ten lock washers. I'll never tell anyone.
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Too late. You just told a little over 4,000 members. The EZ-Flex will be a much easier install, Hank
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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03-18-2012, 06:11 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 235
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Congrats on the install! A great sense of accomplishment occurs when such jobs are completed. Let us know how the EZ-flex install goes. I am going to do the same to our triple axle Fuzion in a couple weeks.
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03-19-2012, 03:13 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 97
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Jealous
Ok I am officially jealous. I have got to start doing more of these projects myself. However as a followup what is the consensus on how often to check the torque on the hitch?
__________________
Exsailor from MS
2008 35 Ft Montana
2012 GMC Duramax Diesel
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03-19-2012, 03:13 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 97
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And...
Ken, whoa, nice bike!
__________________
Exsailor from MS
2008 35 Ft Montana
2012 GMC Duramax Diesel
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03-19-2012, 03:20 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,605
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Exsailor
Ok I am officially jealous. I have got to start doing more of these projects myself. However as a followup what is the consensus on how often to check the torque on the hitch?
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If you can tell me how to get a torque wrench on the bolts below the bed, you are a better man than me. There is about 2" height between the truck frame and bed. There is no way a socket will fit in there, much less a box wrench.
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03-19-2012, 03:30 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Quote:
Originally Posted by therink
If you can tell me how to get a torque wrench on the bolts below the bed, you are a better man than me. There is about 2" height between the truck frame and bed. There is no way a socket will fit in there, much less a box wrench.
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You have to have a sky hook and a bucket of red steam. ........ blue steam will not work. .......
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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03-23-2012, 05:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 235
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Exsailor
Ken, whoa, nice bike!
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Thanks!
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03-23-2012, 06:09 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 235
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Quote:
Originally Posted by therink
If you can tell me how to get a torque wrench on the bolts below the bed, you are a better man than me. There is about 2" height between the truck frame and bed. There is no way a socket will fit in there, much less a box wrench.
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I have removed the spare tire, used the open end of a wrench and used a "cheater bar" to help tighten the nuts. As the years add up, it is getting to be a pain. Literally and figuratively. I will do my own service, maintenance, and repairs if I can. And when I can't, it is or will be very, very hard to trust whomever works on my stuff.
Therego, I would also question the torqueing of any nuts/bolts on a "professionally" installed hitch.
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