Self install a 5th airborne?
- Thread starter dougw
- Start date
I replaced my old pin box with the "Mor ryde" pin box last fall with no problems.
I would make sure that you have help to left the old one off & the new one on.
If you don't, I've read that others have used their truck hitches to remove & replace the pin boxes.
I used the front loader on my tractor, & don't forget the torque wrench
Have fun, it's not that bad of a job, just take your time & be careful.
I would make sure that you have help to left the old one off & the new one on.
If you don't, I've read that others have used their truck hitches to remove & replace the pin boxes.
I used the front loader on my tractor, & don't forget the torque wrench
Have fun, it's not that bad of a job, just take your time & be careful.
Ray LeTourneau
Senior Member - Past Moderator
Yeah, I was there but I mossed that escapade.
But yes, a wooden, not plastic picnic table and a floor jack. I did my own with a little help from Lin. If you have the tools, go for it.
JohnDar
Prolifically Gabby Member
The 5th Airborne is considerably heavier than the standard Lippert 1621. Just moving it around in the garage after it was delivered made having the dealer mount while doing some other work made it a better idea for me. I was thinking of jerry-rigging a platform in the truck bed to use the hitch to hold it up, but decided the limited working space would be hazardous. Not to mention trying to arrange for some muscled help at the storage yard. Dealer charged me $125 to mount it.
Bob&Patty
Founders of SoCal Chapter
Did my Mor/Ryde myself. Had the UPS guy help me lift into the TV bed. The only thing I found was getting to the nuts in the inside was a little tricky. You need 3 elbows and a extension magnet for the nuts and washers that fall inside the old pinbox. It's TOOOOO heavy to pickup and shake.
TravelTiger
Founding Texas-West Chapter Leaders-Retired
Same thoughts here. VERY heavy. Had dealer do it. I think $125 was about right. On our ER, it didn't attach into the same location holes as the old kingpin, so glad they got it done, and done right. They even spray-painted everything black (old holes had slight rust once the bolts/washers were removed.)
dieselengineer
Charter Member
Installed the unit on mine the other year by myself. It can be done, and is not that hard. Have some drift pins ready to hold the unit in the vertical position, then swing it up in place. Oh, lift some weights for a week or so before to get ready for the task.
RoadJunkie
Well-known member
Is there a reason one could not attach the unmounted kingpin to the hitch and then back up the truck to the mounting position? Maybe it's too difficult to align mounting holes with the precision necessary?
Bob&Patty
Founders of SoCal Chapter
Road, yes, the pinbox fits very tight to the frame. I don't think with the pinbox on the hitch you would have enough movement to wedge it on to the frame. You would have to be dead on to the frame. 2 rolling head bars would keep it in place to get the bolts started. Once you get it in place so you can get a bolt or 2 in place ...you are home free. The hardest part is getting you arms into the tight space to start the lock washers and nuts.
truknutt
Committed Member
Here are the 5th Airborne install instructions for the Lippert 1621HD replacement: http://www.reeseprod.com/content/downloads/installation/N5AB-E1621-610.pdf
Page three has the torque specs.
porthole
Retired
Have changed mine twice now by myself. Not that difficult, but certainly not exactly simple.
I had tough time trying to get the pin box up into the frame and ended up using the bottle jack that came with my truck to spread the pin box mount apart to get the Mor/Ryde up into the frame.
Once doing that two drift pins made short order of getting the job done.
I had tough time trying to get the pin box up into the frame and ended up using the bottle jack that came with my truck to spread the pin box mount apart to get the Mor/Ryde up into the frame.
Once doing that two drift pins made short order of getting the job done.
