Below is my installation of Blaine's BMB steering skid available at https://blackmagicbrakes.com/ols/products/steering-box-skid.
The skid assembly is high quality and comes with directions. I especially appreciate the tumbled finish, grade-8 fasteners, and flag nut that makes the installation much easier.
Contents:
Skid with brace 3/8” 6061 T6
(4) 3/8-16 x 1 1/4” Gr. 8 flange head bolts
(4) 3/8-16 Gr. 8 flange nuts
(1) 7/16-20 x 1” Gr. 8 hex head cap screw
(1) 7/16 x 1/8” Gr. 8 SAE washer
(1) 7/16” serrated flange nut with flag
I first verified that the 7/16-20 cap screw cleared the hole. The directions instruct us to use a 7/16" drill bit if it won't clear (mine did).
View of the cap screw clearing the hole.
Insert the flag nut with it oriented upside down so it will fit through the opening.
Then, orient it right side up.
Line the nut up with the hole.
Install the brace by finger tightening the 7/16-20 cap screw to the flag nut.
Insert and snug up the skid-to-brace fasteners some, but not to final tightness. Then line up the skid to the steering gear (verify that the left/right clearance is even) and clamp it to prepare for drilling. Confirm the alignment is good after it's clamped in place. Note: Do not drill before doing the next step.
Tighten the 7/16-20 cap screw to 75 foot pounds to set the brace at its proper location.
I drilled through the bumper and tightened up the 3/8-16 flange head bolts using the 3/8-16 nuts provided, but there are tap options as well.
Tap option 1: For folks who can't access the nuts without removing the bumper (or who wish to not use the nuts), you can also tap the bumper for 3/8-16. To do so, use the holes of the skid to guide you as you first drill 1/8" of depth with a 3/8" bit. Then, drill the rest of the way through the bumper using a 5/16" bit. Next, tap to 3/8-16. Be mindful when tightening the fastener into the bumper since the bumper thickness can only hold so much torque.
Tap option 2: Blaine prefers using 3/8-16 time-serts for tapping into bumpers since they can withstand more torque. If you choose the time-sert option, you can drill the bumper holes with a 3/8" bit since the hole needs to be slightly enlarged for the time-sert tap.
Snug up the 3/8-16 flange head bolts to the bumper.
Snug up the 3/8-16 flange head bolts to the brace to complete the installation.
Note 1: For bumper removal, you can remove the skid fasteners to the bumper, and if necessary, also loosen the fastener to the flag nut.
Note 2: To gain access to your steering gear, remove the skid fasteners to the bumper and loosen the fastener to the flag nut until the inboard fastener of the brace clears the steering gear, then swing the skid outboard.
Views of the completed install:
The skid assembly is high quality and comes with directions. I especially appreciate the tumbled finish, grade-8 fasteners, and flag nut that makes the installation much easier.
Contents:
Skid with brace 3/8” 6061 T6
(4) 3/8-16 x 1 1/4” Gr. 8 flange head bolts
(4) 3/8-16 Gr. 8 flange nuts
(1) 7/16-20 x 1” Gr. 8 hex head cap screw
(1) 7/16 x 1/8” Gr. 8 SAE washer
(1) 7/16” serrated flange nut with flag
I first verified that the 7/16-20 cap screw cleared the hole. The directions instruct us to use a 7/16" drill bit if it won't clear (mine did).
View of the cap screw clearing the hole.
Insert the flag nut with it oriented upside down so it will fit through the opening.
Then, orient it right side up.
Line the nut up with the hole.
Install the brace by finger tightening the 7/16-20 cap screw to the flag nut.
Insert and snug up the skid-to-brace fasteners some, but not to final tightness. Then line up the skid to the steering gear (verify that the left/right clearance is even) and clamp it to prepare for drilling. Confirm the alignment is good after it's clamped in place. Note: Do not drill before doing the next step.
Tighten the 7/16-20 cap screw to 75 foot pounds to set the brace at its proper location.
I drilled through the bumper and tightened up the 3/8-16 flange head bolts using the 3/8-16 nuts provided, but there are tap options as well.
Tap option 1: For folks who can't access the nuts without removing the bumper (or who wish to not use the nuts), you can also tap the bumper for 3/8-16. To do so, use the holes of the skid to guide you as you first drill 1/8" of depth with a 3/8" bit. Then, drill the rest of the way through the bumper using a 5/16" bit. Next, tap to 3/8-16. Be mindful when tightening the fastener into the bumper since the bumper thickness can only hold so much torque.
Tap option 2: Blaine prefers using 3/8-16 time-serts for tapping into bumpers since they can withstand more torque. If you choose the time-sert option, you can drill the bumper holes with a 3/8" bit since the hole needs to be slightly enlarged for the time-sert tap.
Snug up the 3/8-16 flange head bolts to the bumper.
Snug up the 3/8-16 flange head bolts to the brace to complete the installation.
Note 1: For bumper removal, you can remove the skid fasteners to the bumper, and if necessary, also loosen the fastener to the flag nut.
Note 2: To gain access to your steering gear, remove the skid fasteners to the bumper and loosen the fastener to the flag nut until the inboard fastener of the brace clears the steering gear, then swing the skid outboard.
Views of the completed install:
