by Tom Proctor
Fig.2 in the LR direction sheet is incomplete to say the least. The idea is that you have to compress the rivnut on the inner side of the body panel. I could not find the Rivnut-tool locally so I did without it. You can buy the tool as part of a Rivnut kit for about $70, and others have said you can get the tool alone even cheaper. But these directions are the least expensive way to do the job right.
Also, my ladder was the genuine LR rear ladder, so the following info only pertains if you have the same. If you have an aftermarket ladder you're on your own. To complete the install, you will need the following additional items (not supplied in the LR Ladder Kit):
Here is a picture of all the parts
That little silver cylinder thing is a stand-in for the Rivnut (I didn't have any extra!).
You have to figure out the ladder/hole positioning on you own. Just remember to mark the hole position with a center punch BEFORE you start to drill. This will help prevent the drill bit from skating along the panel when it starts to spin. Drill the hole to the best of your ability. DO NOT mess it up! The hole HAS to be 9mm for the rivnut to grab properly.
After you have the holes drilled you need to build the homemade tool. First, you need to bend the tool included with the ladder. You want to make a 90 degree bend at the end opposite the hole.
Bend enough of it that you can grab it with a pair of pliers or vice grips. Then assemble as follows.
Stage 1 - lay the components out as shown below
Stage 2 - Assemble them as shown in
Stage 3 - Add the hand tools
Stage 4 - All the tools
PROCEDURE
To do this properly, you will have to hold several tools at the same time - a little clumsy at first but this method works very well once you get the hang of it.
1. insert the 5mm hex key into the bolt head
2. grab the 90 deg. bend with vice grips
3. put a 10mm wrench on the two nuts (just move the nuts together with your fingers, do not tighten them together).
4. You will have to hold the vice grips, allen key and support the tool with one hand while you tighten the nuts toward the rivnut with the other hand. This tightening pulls the rivnut up against the washer/tool and slowly compresses the compression portion of the rivnut.
5. Insert the rivnut into the 9mm hole.
6. Keep a little pressure on the tool to keep the rivnut properly seated against the body panel.
You can test this before inserting the rivnut in the body panel. Before you do so, check to see how loose the rivnut fits in the 9mm hole. There will probably be a little clearance. Go through steps 1-4 above, but check how the rivnut fits into the 9mm hole every 1/4 turn (of the nuts). You should start to feel a tighter fit into the 9mm hole - this is the rivnut compressing. Be careful not to over compress the rivnut or it will no longer fit into the 9mm hole!
Once you see what is happening, place the rivnut in the hole and tighten them in place. Be careful not to over or under compress the rivnut - unfortunately this is a *feel* determination, since you don't have the proper tool.
Once all the rivnuts are installed, reposition the ladder and bolt it in place. I found that I needed to space the upper ladder mounting tabs with some galvanized washers for proper fit/support.
Remember, if you are not comfortable doing this sort of stuff, you might just have the dealer do it or spend $70-120 to get the tool and rivnut kit. Then again, once you master this procedure, you'll wish you had three more ladders to install !!!