kburati
04-17-2003, 07:08
I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing but last night I started installing my Torklift camper tie downs on my truck, these call for two holes drilled in the frame and one in the box section. I prepared myself for a long night, got two drills and two bits of each size. Started with a 1/4" pilot hole and "Oh my God!" in less than a minute I was through the frame.
Nine years ago, when I bought my first GM (1500 Sierra), I installed step bars. Back then you had to drill into the frame to get these installed unlike today. I think I spent two hours on each side just drilling. Killed my Dad's electric drill, went through 4 bits total and still had to switch back and forth every five minutes on drills to avoid overheating them.
Either these new drill bits are light years ahead of the top-line bits back in 94 or these frames are nothing like the frame of my 1500. This scares me a little knowing that my camper will be basically held on by the tie downs bolted to this frame.
I've got a great story that I tell year after year regarding my 1500. Back in 1995, shortly after I installed the nerf bars, a guy driving a Nissan Pulsar found himself in the left turn only lane at a light and pulled into my lane as I was going about 20mph. Right into the side of me as I passed by. The truck was only 5 months old and I was beside myself since when I looked in the rear view mirror at his vehicle his bumper was hanging off, his hood was popped up and his windshield was shattered. I pulled over to inspect my damage and looked for about 5 minutes. Finally I noticed a small rub mark on the outside of the nerf bar (since I installed them they stick out a little too far for legal purposes) and that's it. I was so proud of that truck then and I still am now. I don't think this would necessarily be the case if the same event happened with my 3500 but maybe I'm wrong.
Nine years ago, when I bought my first GM (1500 Sierra), I installed step bars. Back then you had to drill into the frame to get these installed unlike today. I think I spent two hours on each side just drilling. Killed my Dad's electric drill, went through 4 bits total and still had to switch back and forth every five minutes on drills to avoid overheating them.
Either these new drill bits are light years ahead of the top-line bits back in 94 or these frames are nothing like the frame of my 1500. This scares me a little knowing that my camper will be basically held on by the tie downs bolted to this frame.
I've got a great story that I tell year after year regarding my 1500. Back in 1995, shortly after I installed the nerf bars, a guy driving a Nissan Pulsar found himself in the left turn only lane at a light and pulled into my lane as I was going about 20mph. Right into the side of me as I passed by. The truck was only 5 months old and I was beside myself since when I looked in the rear view mirror at his vehicle his bumper was hanging off, his hood was popped up and his windshield was shattered. I pulled over to inspect my damage and looked for about 5 minutes. Finally I noticed a small rub mark on the outside of the nerf bar (since I installed them they stick out a little too far for legal purposes) and that's it. I was so proud of that truck then and I still am now. I don't think this would necessarily be the case if the same event happened with my 3500 but maybe I'm wrong.