How to Install Putco Nylon SSR Side Bed Rails on your Dodge Ram

A. Pre-installation Preparation

1. Verify kit contents

2. Remove protective wrapping from tubes and castings. Place on a non-abrasive surface.

3. Remove the hardware from the box.

B. Assemble castings and mounting hardware

1. Put plastic sleeve on bolt and insert bolt through the top of the casting

2. Insert the gasket, expander, and threaded plate on the bottom and finger tighten. If installing on a drill mount application, you will not need the rubber expander.(Figure B1)

A. IMPORTANT: If installing with a tool box only assemble two of the castings. If vehicle does not have stake holes skip this step 2.

B. IMPORTANT: If installing on the Tundra the rear will need a rubber spacer between the plastic bed cap and the metal be rail. (see Figure B2)

3. Place a bushing on each casting so that the tabs face towards the tube. (Note: o-ring in bolt kit is not used, use sleeve instead.)

C. Insert the casting into the tubes

1. Insert a casting into each end of the tube.

i. IMPORTANT: if installing with a tool box place one assembled casting on each tube.

ii. IMPORTANT: if tube is tight on casting use a rubber mallet to install. Be careful not to scratch the casting.

D. Install assembled rail on truck with stake pockets

1. Insert the assembled rail into the stake pockets on the vehicle.

i. On the 1997-2004 Ford F-Series, to help conceal the stake pocket opening, we recommend you drill a 5/16” hole through the center of the plastic cap that covers the stake pocket, this cap was installed by Ford at the time the vehicle was manufactured. On 2004-2005 F150 trucks you will have to cut a hole in the plastic cap to access the stake pocket.

2. Torque allen head bolts to approximately 27 lbs/ft.

3. IMPORTANT: DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED TORQUE VALUE!

E. Install assembled rail on truck with tool box

1. Place a casting, with out the bolt, gasket, expander or back plate, into the open end of the tube.

2. Place assembled tube onto truck by inserting the back plate and expander of the assembled casting into the rear stake pocket.

3. Center the front casting, left to right, on your truck’s bed rail near the toolbox.

4. Mark the center of the hole in the casting on your truck’s bed rail.

5. Using your drill and 5/16” drill bit, center the drill bit on the mark you made from Step 4 above and drill straight through the bed rail of your truck.

6. Place the rail assembly back onto the bed of your truck, again by placing the back plate and expander into the rear stake pocket of the same side you just drilled.

7. At the front casting, place a 5/16”X3” bolt through the casting, oval gasket and the hole you drilled in Step 5. Thread a back plate onto the bolt and hand tighten.

IMPORTANT: Due to the strength on 99-up Chevy Silverado /GMC Sierra pickups, Putco recommends using a bed rail protector between the rail and the truck bed when not mounting into a stake pocket.

8. Repeat the steps in this section for other side. Fig. E1

F. Install assembled rail on truck without stake pockets

1. Set assembled rail on vehicle so that there is equal distance in front of and behind the rail. The casing should be centered on the bed rail left to right.

2. Mark the location of the hole in the casting on your truck’s bed rail and remove the assembled rail

3. Using your drill and 5/16” drill bit, center the drill bit on the mark(s) you made from Step 2 above and drill straight through the bed rail of your truck.

4. Place the assembled rail on bed with a gasket between the casting and the bed.

5. Insert a 5/16” X 3” Full threaded bolt through each casting, gasket, and bed rail then place a threaded plate on the bottom.

i. IMPORTANT: Due to the strength on 99-up Chevy Silverado /GMC Sierra pickups, Putco recommends using a bed rail protector between the rail and the truck bed when not mounting into a stake pocket.

G. Clean rails

1. Clean the rails with a streak free cleaner.

2. Apply a protective coating of high quality automotive wax.