Extractor Needed to Replace Cab Mount Bushings?

[Bronco648]

My '85 RCLB is in a pretty good state of dis-assembly so I figured I might as well replace the cab mount bushings while the interior was out. I came across a YT video of a person doing the job (on their 2nd/3rd gen. Ranger). This person built an 'extractor' tool (3" dia. section of exhaust tubing, some big fender washers and a metric bolt) in order to remove the bottom bushings from under the cab.

Is this tool really needed?

And, if yes, why? What happens to the lower cab bushing such that they don't just fall off or can't be pried off?

TIA.

 

[Shran]

I guess you could do it that way but I just use a sawzall to cut the inner sleeve and then you've got two pieces. Both are trash, the bushings and sleeves are basically a one time use item. The sleeves get mushroomed into each other at the factory when the cab bolts are tightened down and after that they are locked together permanently.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’ve never needed to try such a tool. I think I’ve only ever had two bolts come out, the rest of the time they snap off or round off, both then require cutting the thing out. The joys of being in the rust belt…

 

[Bronco648]

The sleeves get mushroomed into each other at the factory when the cab bolts are tightened down...

...both then require cutting…

That explains the extractor tool. I found another video, a Sport Trac this time, where he only replaced the bushings, the inner sleeves were re-used. Sounded like he was from the Southern US though.

 

[Snoranger]

It’s all about fast assembly on the production line. When the chassis is moving down the production line, there’s a guy that installs the body mount bushings. He takes the 2 halves, puts them on the chassis, and they lock together. Then the cab gets installed and the bolt holds it together. After that... rust starts to take over. Rust can be stronger than the locking clip and bolt combined. It can turn what might seem like an hours work replacing mount into 2-3 days.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

It’s all about fast assembly on the production line. When the chassis is moving down the production line, there’s a guy that installs the body mount bushings. He takes the 2 halves, puts them on the chassis, and they lock together. Then the cab gets installed and the bolt holds it together. After that... rust starts to take over. Rust can be stronger than the locking clip and bolt combined. It can turn what might seem like an hours work replacing mount into 2-3 days.

I think I have it about figured for doing replacement efficiently for my junk.

Hit the bolt with the impact to see how lucky I’m going to be today…

If it doesn’t unscrew or break it adds an extra cut. Sawzall the bushing through and if it didn’t break or come loose then, sawzall between the bushing and cab.

Check condition of the mount, if the hole is rusted out, throw a large, thick steel washer on and weld it up.

Goop with marine grease where the poly bushings will sit. Install bushing.

Goop long regular bolt (want to say grade 5 is what body lifts usually come with if I remember right), drop through, fender washer and lock nut on the bottom.

 

[holyford86]

I’ve never needed to try such a tool. I think I’ve only ever had two bolts come out, the rest of the time they snap off or round off, both then require cutting the thing out. The joys of being in the rust belt…

I'd prefer that to what I usually deal with, I usually have the mounts rot out then the cab just sits on the frame until you weld a big washer to the top of it and replace the rubber

 

[Bronco648]

I must be pretty lucky. The truck is originally from Louisville, KY (and/or very southern Indiana). All of the mounting hardware looks to be in great shape. That said, I haven't tried to loosen any of the bolts. I may hold off on ordering the bushing kit until I determine the condition of the inner sleeves.

 

[rumblecloud]

Been crawling around underneath mine a bit lately. Seen a couple of body mounts - not paying too much attention --
So where exactly are they located and how many are there on a SC?

 

[Shran]

There are six cab mounts regardless of which cab style you have - two under the core support, two under the front of the cab, and two under the back.

I don't replace them on rusty trucks, I just wait for the cab to collapse onto the frame... then junk the truck.

 

[Bronco648]

I don't replace them on rusty trucks, I just wait for the cab to collapse onto the frame... then junk the truck.

XD

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The washer has been ripped off the nut side but you can see how they lock together.

IIRC James Duff sells a hardware kit with new bushings.

 

[Bronco648]

Yeah, quite a few folks sell the parts or kits; Rock Auto, LMC Truck, etc. Amazon has the urethane bushing kit for the best price I've seen.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah, quite a few folks sell the parts or kits; Rock Auto, LMC Truck, etc. Amazon has the urethane bushing kit for the best price I've seen.

Duff has the bushings and metal hardware though. Bushings themselves are easy to find.

I guess they split them up, it isn't all one kit anymore... Would have been nice when I did mine, I had to make my own hardware since I already had the bushings.

Body Mount Hardware, Ranger | James Duff Inc.

After years of requests from customers, we’ve developed replacement hardware for body mounts. Impossible to get from dealers and nearly impossible to extract intact from a donor junk vehicle…

dufftuff.com

 

[Bronco648]

Duff has the bushings and metal hardware though. Bushings themselves are easy to find.

I guess they split them up, it isn't all one kit anymore... Would have been nice when I did mine, I had to make my own hardware since I already had the bushings.

Body Mount Hardware, Ranger | James Duff Inc.

After years of requests from customers, we’ve developed replacement hardware for body mounts. Impossible to get from dealers and nearly impossible to extract intact from a donor junk vehicle…

dufftuff.com

LMC Truck seems to offer everything, too. What's nice is that you can pick & choose what you need as opposed to buying an entire kit. They even offer 'mini-kits' to do just one mount location, if that's what you want. So, need to replace the entire cab mount at the core but only need the bushings for the other four locations? You can do that @ LMC.