Did I Install Westin Bars Correctly??

[VegasShawn]

Well, I installed my Westin bars today and I was wondering about the big rubber donuts on the BOTTOM of the frame where the original body/frame bolts went through.

I am assuming that these are no longer used since the brackets for the bars take up the same amount of vertical space that the giant rubber donuts would have. Using the rubber dounts would have made the bars hang down WAY too low.

Is this correct?

I am talking about the rubber donut that has metal on one end where the head of the bolt touches.

 

[MacMan]

Maybe this will help.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/IAR_westincps.shtml

Mac

 

[VegasShawn]

It's a little different, but I don't see the big "donuts" on top of the front mounting bracket so I guess I did it right! I did attach a pic of what I am talking about.

 

[MacMan]

Yeah, I know the ones. I installed Bully Nerf bars and they called for keeping them. I had just come across that other site and hoped it would help answer your question. Seems odd that they would make the bars hang too low though. They can't be more than an inch thick.

Did the Westins come with longer bolts or did you have to reuse the originals?

I know many others have used the Westins. They will surely know more than I!

 

[VegasShawn]

The kit came with longer bolts, but it also called for installing washers between the brackets and the frame. 2 for the front and rear and 3 for the middle. And these were pretty big washers.

 

[the_wifes_av]

Did the Westins come with longer bolts or did you have to reuse the originals?

The AV set, did come with longer frame bolts to bolt up the new brakets.

I had installed the Westin Signature Series on the AV in the middle of last year, so I cannot remember exactly - but, I looked at the on-line instructions for the AV, at the Westin Site - Westin AV Instructions, and it does say at the end of step 3:

"(Be sure to keep existing washer and rubber bushing in place.)"

The AV is at home right now, while I am at work.
But I will take a look at it tonight, and can let you know if I kept them on.

 

[VegasShawn]

I e-mailed Westin and they confirmed that you need to keep the bushings between the bracket and the frame. Ah well, gotta head back outside now!

 

[the_wifes_av]

Yeah, just got in from looking at our AV, and the rubber bushings are still between the Westing supplied washers and the frame mounting point, on both the front and the back.