front mount receiver

[99_3.0]

I'm in the process of making a front receiver on my 03 ranger. I've got pretty much everything figured out except one issue. I can't decide whether or not to drill out the 5/16ths holes on the bottom of the frame for some bigger bolts. I have grade 8 bolts that will fit. There would be 4 of those and then two 1/2 inch bolts going through the side of the frame as well. Would this be enough or should I drill them out for some bigger ones? it will have a 9k winch on it eventually.

 

[martin]

It might hold but I would drill then out to half inch.

 

[99_3.0]

I just don't know about drilling them out.. it would be a major pita to get the bolt through the hole from inside the frame and tighten it... unless there's aan easier way?

 

[-Nathan-]

you do NOT need to drill them out. My front mount is there with two half inch grade 8 bolts, and 4 other bolts that bolt into the pre existing moles for the sway bar (that isnt there) I have a winch mounted to mine, and have pulled f 250s up hills. I have also hooked onto (with a strap) and jerked a dodge 3500 around in the snow. Those bolts are a lot stronger than you think. No need to drill them out.

 

[strvger]

as long as all the bolts are grade 8, you shouldn't have any issues with them really. just my $.02.

 

[--weezl--]

do you have pics?

 

[99_3.0]

Thanks for the responses guys. Yes I am using the two sway bar bolts and two grade 8 5/16ths bolts on each side as well. Ill also have another grade 8 1/2 inch bolt on each side (I'm welding a plate to the side of the angle iron to run up the side of the frame and running that bolt through the frame and angle iron). It should be plenty beefy id think. Thanks for the input guys! Ill try to take pictues of it too.

 

[99_3.0]

Got the angle iron bolted up and squared away. Just gotta weld the plate on the angle iron and weld the tube between the angle. Then gusset it and put the receiver tube and drings on it. Should have it finished soon! Ready for winch duty...

 

[--weezl--]

nice! what winch did you end up going with?

 

[Nathan123]

I made mine out of square tube and flat stock. I had two holes in the front end of the frame already, they were 1/2 and the sway bar mounting bracket holes were 1/2. So I have 8 1/2 grade 8 bolts to pull with. All the bolts have tabs of 1/8 x 3/4 steel welded right under the heads so they will lock themselves on the frame when you tighten the nut.