A. Remove the mounting bolts from the bed of the truck and the bumper brackets. Disconnect the electrical wiring to the taillights and the bumper. Remove the bumper. Disconnect the gas filler tube from the bed. Disconnect the grounding straps(one near the gas filler tube and one on the rear driver's side). Remove the bed from the truck frame.

B. On the rear cross member of the bed, in front of the original rear most hole, there is a tab protruding past the bed cross member, towards the cab approximately 3 / 4". This tab must be removed flush with the front of the cross member.

C. Using one of the existing bed mounting bolts removed in Step A, attach the right upper portion of the hinge assembly to the bottom of the bed. The mounting bolt will be secured through hole B, indicated above, and into existing rear mounting bolt hole on the passenger's side of the bed. Repeat this step on the driver's side of the bed. Once done, remove brackets from bumper and mount bumper to upper hinge brackets. (this will square up the hinges with the bumper and bed) Tighten bumper bolts and the bolt through hinge into the bed. Match drill a 1 /2" diameter hole through the bed using hole A as a template. Insert the 1 /2" x 1-1/2" button head carriage bolt through the bed and through the hinge. Secure the bolt with the 1 /2" nylock nut provided. (Another note is hand tighten only this makes the mating of the upper and lower hinges easier as any minor movements can be accomplished easily)

D. Repeat step B using the upper portion of the left side hinge assembly.

2. SAFETY STRUT INSTALLATION

A. Measure in 12 inches from the driver's side edge of the fourth cross member from the front of the bed and down 1-1/2 inches from the bed floor and center punch this position. Using a 3/8" diameter drill bit, drill a hole through both walls of the cross member at the mark just made. Then, using the supplied 3/8" x 3" bolt, mount the safety strut swivel joint to the rear wall of the cross member. Make sure to place two (2) flat washers between the safety strut swivel joint and the cross member wall, in addition to a washer under the bolt head and under the nut.

B. After the safety strut swivel joint has been installed, install the safety strut support leg using the provided 3/8" x 2-1/2" long bolt and 3/8" nylock nut. (Note: MAKE sure the bolt points towards the driver's side of the bed).

C. Measure in 5-1/2 inches from passenger side on the same cross member and measure up towards the floor 1-1/2 " and make a mark. Using a No. 8 self-drilling screw, mount the safety strut clamp to the rear wall of cross member at the mark just made.

D. Install both alignment pins by screwing them into the existing front most mounting bolt holes on the underside of the bed. Push rubber stops on pins.

3. CROSS SUPPORT TUBE INSTALLATION

A. From the second bed mounting hole, (2nd towards the cab from the bumper) measure 28 inches and scribe a line and 39 inches towards the rear of the cab and scribe a line down the outside wall of the long member of the chassis. Measure down the outside wall of the chassis 2 7/8 inches at the 28-inch line and mark the intersection. Measure down the outside wall of the chassis 2 7/8 inches at the 39-inch line and mark the intersection. Center punch the two- (2) intersection points and drills a 7/16" diameter hole at each point.

B. Repeat the above step for the opposite side of vehicle.

C. Take a cross support tube and place the slider side against the inside of the vehicle chassis and secure in place using a 3/8" x 7/8" bolt through the hole made in steps A & B. Do not tighten yet. . Next, pull the other end of the support tube toward the opposite side of the vehicle chassis. Align boltholes and use a 3/8"x 7/8" bolt to secure this end. Make sure that the top of the tube is parallel with the top of the vehicle chassis, and then tighten the bolts on both ends.

D. Repeat Step C for the second cross support tube.

4. COMPRESSOR BOX SUPPORT CHANNEL INSTALLATION

A. Remove spare tire.

B. Remove the spare tire support bracket closest to the cab (2 bolts).

C. Install the compressor bracket underneath the frame using the same bolt holes. Use the 3/8 x 2-inch bolts, tighten and make sure the larger holes in rectangular tube are facing the ground.

D. Install the compressor (wires and air outlet towards the cab with (4) four 3/8x7/8 bolts, lock washer and flat washer. Install One hose clamp on the compressor and two on the thrust plate when installing your air hose, Use a pipe tape/dope on the threads for a better seal

E. Remove the top cover and fill reservoir with synthetic low viscosity oil. Replace the compressor cover. Use Pipe dope/tape on the threads for the cover of the Oil reservoir.

A. Run wires for switch and insert switch into dash where you would like (Note: let switch hang out until you are sure you have wires correct after connecting the cables). Avoid Pinch points and hot spots use a grommet when drilling through frame to avoid nicking or cutting the wires.

B. Run ground cable to frame. (Use a mounting bolt from your compressor bracket. I have found that by cleaning the area about 1 square inch of undercoating/paint that you get a much better ground connection. Spray with a DI-Electric coating.)

C. Run hot (long) cable to positive battery terminal and attach Avoid Pinch Points and all hot spots, avoid nicks and scrapes.

6. CHASSIS MODIFICATION

A. Measure from the extreme rear of the top of the vehicle chassis 3 1/8" and scribe a line around each long member of the vehicle chassis. Cut off the 3 1/8" sections from the rear of both of the long members through the scribed lines. (It is best to cut long and grind it clean. Once completed I recommend that you re-paint or apply an undercoating to the exposed area before installing your lower hinge.

A. Place the bed back on the truck, making sure the sides line up with the cab, and the bolt holes in the bed all line up.

B. Reattach the lower hinge with trunion pin, washer and cleavis pin to the upper hinge, swing lower hinge to bottom of frame and pull flush with a C clamp.

C. Spot and drill holes through frame flanges using a 9/16 " drill. Do the same with the other hinge.

D. Insert the four (4) (4 1/8") frame support tubes in between the flanges of the vehicle chassis and center the holes in the frame support tubes with the holes in the flanges of the vehicle chassis drilled in step C. Using the two (2) lower portions of the hinge assemblies, four (4) 1 /2" x 6" long bolts, eight (8) 1 /2" washers, and four (4) 1 /2" nylock nuts, mount the two lower portions of the hinge assemblies to the vehicle chassis.

A. Raise bed of truck and support with strut

B. Take the air bag assembly and place on the two cross support tubes

C. Hook up airline to the air bag with two (2) hose clamps

D. Center and square the thrust plate in between the frame rails, and attach the thrust plate to the cross support tubes with four (4) self-tapping tek screws. ...One in each corner, countersink the holes.

E. Raise the top thrust plate by filling the air bag assembly with air. Be careful to guide the top thrust plate between the third and fourth bed cross members. (NOTE: Only put enough air in the bag to support the top thrust plate against the bed). Center and secure the top thrust plate to the bed with four (4) self-tapping tek screws.... One in each corner, countersink the holes.

A. With the bed down, hold the lower assembly, pin facing up against the frame; hold the upper assembly, over the pin, against the bed cross member. Mark the hold on the bed cross member, and drill the 3/8" holes through the cross member using (2) two 3/8" x 3" bolts. Secure the upper assembly. Hold the lower assembly up tight to the upper assembly and against the frame; mark the holes on the frame. Drill these holes using a 3/8" drill and securing with 3/8" x 1" bolts and nuts provided.

B. Repeat this on the opposite side of the vehicle.

A. Remove steel neck from hose.

B. Lower bed down. Hold steel filler neck up beside hose. Move steel filler neck toward fuel tank and cut off the rubber hose accordingly. ****You are looking for clearance between filler neck and the side of the bed, when it goes up or down.

Mount fuel filler neck bracket to frame under filler neck, keeping the top of the bracket level with the frame. Check for clearance by raising and lowering your bed.