Body Lift Issues

[HallzyBallzy]

I just bought a 2000 Ranger. I have 33x12.50 Cooper STT's installed with a leveling kit (Torsion Bars). I ordered the 3" body lift.

When I started on it last weekend, I got all the way to where I had to loosen the body mounts. I can't. I had three guys try and do it. And I think that they vulcanized, or maybe they have loctite or something on them? Either way, when you turn it, the whole thing spins.

How do I get them off? I did some research and saw that you can just sawzall right through the body mounts and then pop it out and replace it all. And I heard about drilling through the bolt all the way.

I wanna reuse my body mounts, but if I have to, I can cut them and replace them.

So, any suggestions? If I start cutting them, I must do it all basically. I can't just start, and then leave it for a few days. I need to just do it in one hit and then go get it aligned. I need some answers, and fast!

Also, where do I get body mounts for a 2000 XLT Ranger 3.0? I searched, but could not come up with any.

I'm 17, so any help, much appreciated.

Thanks~

-Cody

 

[Chris.S.]

Just to address one point in your post, you shouldn't need an alignment after just a bl, but if you didn't get one after your torsion crank you may need it but the bl shouldn't throw anything out of whack.

Have you tired applying heat to the bolts? Some type of locktite release when heated, and the expansion/contraction of the bolt may free it up as well.


But someone with more specific info will likely post on here for ya...

 

[HallzyBallzy]

Also.

My TBars are cranked so that my truck is completely level. Should I only keep it like that until I get the 3" BL back on? Because I don't want my TBars to get worn out to fast and everything. I will probably keep them cranked a little, but probably 2" maximum?

Also, the truck has 157K on the chassis, 25K on the 'new' engine. Should I replace my body mounts just because they have so many miles?? They look fine still.

Thanks!

 

[HallzyBallzy]

Just to address one point in your post, you shouldn't need an alignment after just a bl, but if you didn't get one after your torsion crank you may need it but the bl shouldn't throw anything out of whack.

Have you tired applying heat to the bolts? Some type of locktite release when heated, and the expansion/contraction of the bolt may free it up as well.


But someone with more specific info will likely post on here for ya...

Yeah, I'm just getting the alignment after the BL because I cranked the torsion bars. When I bought the truck the alignment was so screwed up, that the outside tread was perfect (at about 85%), but on the inside of the tires steel belts were literally poking out on the front tires. So I need an alignment asap, but I'm going to wait until the BL is done. Just in case.

I haven't tried heating my bolts, maybe that will work?

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

a torch and impact wrench are your friends....



stock bolts are fully threaded and the fulllength of the threads are COVERED in lock tite. heat the bottom of the bolt at the mount til the bushing just starts to smoke, then hit it with the impact.

 

[Smurf Mobile]

If you have access to a welder you can tach weld a bar on the bottom of the bushing to give you something to hold onto. That's what I did on one of my trucks and it worked like a breaze. Although it still required a good soaking of PB blaster and a 3' cheater bar on top. Once you get the new bolts in just grind off the welds and you're good to go.

Andrew

 

[HallzyBallzy]

Will just a little propane torch work alright? Or do I need some badass thing?

 

[HallzyBallzy]

Also, I heard about people drilling them out. How do you do that? Drill from the head of the bolt down? Or what. Cuz that seems like it would take a hellova long time to do

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

yup...little propane one. I use MAPP gas since it burns hotter than propane though.

Don't drill anything out, only the front mounts threads like the instructions tell you to.

 

[HallzyBallzy]

Okay Thanks.

So just heat it from the bottom, then once the bushing starts to smoke, I start to loosen it from the top? And once that sides loosened, go to the passengers side. Repeat that on all the mounts. And then jack up one side and take the bolts completely off right? Then repeat it again..?

Also, the little bed spacer things. Do those have to be welded on?