Has anybody had any issues with the rear brackets on these? If not, I think I got a defective pair. I removed the stock U bolts and plate and started to install the new U bolts and mounting plate and my socket started slipping when I was trying to tighten the two rear nuts. It turns out there is not enough room between the turned down flange part of the mounting plate and the nut for a socket to fit. I knew it was going to be tight when I had trouble getting the washer to go down flat. There is about a 3/16" space between the U bolt hole and the flange. The wall of the nut is about 1/8" thick leaving only 1/16" for the wall of the socket to fit over the nut. Aint gonna happen. Being the nut is recessed by the flange on one side and the mounting brackets for the bars on two other sides, a socket is the only way to tighten the nuts. Anybody else ran into this? I really think they were made up wrong because I have not heard of anybody else having this problem. As of now it is physically impossible to install them without grinding away a portion of the flange and I don't want to do that because it's obvious that flange was turned down to strengthen the bracket. I could not get through to Mark today, I'll try again tomorrow. What sucks is I ordered these over a month ago. First they had to wait for parts to come in to complete the order, then when the order arrived, only the box of hardware came and it was missing a bushing and install instructions/parts list. The missing bushing came yesterday and the bars finally came today. I just hope he understands the problem when I talk to him. Am I the only one?

 

I ran into the same issue. I went and bought another socket from Sears and grinded the end of the socket to a thiner wall till it fit. I then installed them first so the bracket hangs down, giving you clearance. You will also want to have a 90 degree drill so you can easily drill the front bracket bolts. Put a 2X4 in between your gas lines and the frame when drilling. That will give you 2" of safety so you dont puncture a gas line. I did the install myself in my garage with air tools. Took me about 3 Hrs total. They work great and look awsome............







Hope that helps!!

 

I can't believe the brackets are produced that way when it would be such a simple fix to just make them a 1/4" wider to allow for room to get a socket on the nut. If I can't get any satisfaction out of Mark I guess I'll have to go buy a socket and grind it thinner too. I hope a 1/16" thick wall will stand up to 80 ft lbs. Kinda frustrating really.

 

Same here. Yes the fit is very tight. I had to use a 3/8 deep socket on some and others an open end.

 

A picture of the bracket and the clearance.
https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=6331

 

I had same issue and just a bit of grinding on the brackets with a dremel and i had enough room.

Minor issues but great bars.

 

What are the two flat pieces of metal for that comes with the kit?Are they shims?

 

They go on top of the axle to keep the u bolts in place.

 

Thanks...There are no directions.If someone could e-mail them to me that would be great.Thanks,Bruce
udlose@adelphia.net

 

I dont have them (instructions) anymore, but I can try help you if you have any issues. Just have to ask.

 

I just put on these traction bars and the install was a breeze.

I will post pics when i have a chance.

http://www.premiertruckaccessories.c...lightning.html

 

Yeah same problem here with the clearance issues. All they had to do is add a 1/4" more material and the product would have been flawless to install.

 

Well I finally got through to LFP yesterday and talked with someone other than Mark. I was told that they are aware of the clearance issue and have no plans to change anything. I was told I would have to grind the brackets to create enough clearance. If that is their stance they should at least have the courtesy to mention the problem in the instructions so you know up front what you need to complete the job instead of after you have your truck up on ramps and removed the stock U bolts and plate, finally figure out it won't work, and then have to put everthing you just took apart back together so you can go to work the next day. You need a dremel tool to do this job. I had to go buy one and then went through 4 grinding bits to working on the plates. Also had to buy a 3/8" drive deep well 7/8" socket and grind down the walls on it before I got enough clearance. Very frustrating when the problem is so easily curable.

 

I installed mine in February so I don't remember the details, but I remember the close clearance issue, although I definitely did not have to use a dremel or grind down any sockets.

David

 

mine were tight also. But if you tighten the nuts equally it helps the clearance issue. I didn't have to grind or anything or use different sockets.