dealer outrage

[wr250rdr]

so in October of this year i rolled my ranger... then bought a Mazda b2300 roller to do a body swap on.

im just now getting around to doing the swap and have the ranger frame bare with the running gear still in it. but while i was removing the cab i broke 2 of the body bolts due to rust. after thinking about it and looking at the condition of the bushings i decided they should be replaced as the rubber is rotting and cracked, so i looked at kits of poly bushings for 55-60 bucks but they don’t have the body bolts in them.

thinking the dealer would be a little pricy but still affordable for the body bolts i called and asked for a quote. fist he told me that on my 94 ranger single cab there were 4 mounts including the core support... i told him i pulled the body and that he must be looking at the wrong thing. he proceeds to argue with me telling me that back yard mechanics like me are always wrong and that he knew best. so i drove over after work ready to both talk to a manager and order parts if they were reasonable. not only was the guy not there but the diagram he printed out showed ALL 6 mounts! after he insisted there were 4, so i asked the manager for a quote and he told me that the bolts and nuts were 165 out the door! and with the stock replacement rubber bushings i would be looking at 625.

i couldn’t believe it, hopefully i don’t break the bolts from the Mazda body. but in-case i do does anyone know of a poly kit that comes with the body bolts?

 

[mp3deviant721]

Couldn't you just go to Fastenal or some local hardware place to get bolts? Just make sure you get the right diameter, thread, and length and I think you should be fine.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'd just replace the ones I need with some from the hardware store in the nearest size to match. If your stock ones are metric and read 9.8 or a higher number on the end then get grade 8 replacements from a bolt supply warehouse.

Richard

 

[wr250rdr]

the local lowes only carries 5.5 strength rating and i believe i pulled out 8.8, idk if i would have any issue with strength maybe someone will chime in on this

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I think that's something that only you can answer with some research on bolt strength. If I had the option of adding more bolts I wouldn't hesitate to run grade 5. The only instance I can think of where it may make a difference is if you were in an accident that separated the body from the frame, and then if you were belted in I'd say you would still be OK. And if you were in an accident that bad I don't think two out of six bolts being below grade would make any difference, but I'm not an engineer. Maybe going up a size in dia. would be enough.

Richard

 

[wr250rdr]

well i was planing on replacing all 6, so i guess ill have to look up the specs on 5.5 and 8.8

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Post up the results, I'd be interested.

Richard

 

[kcm1582]

5.5 bolts are junk, they are essentially the generic bolts found in any hardware store.

IIRC class 8.8(metric) bolts are equivalent to grade 5(inch) bolts and are proof loaded to 85,000 psi. They should hold no problem but you are much better off with grade 8 or class 10.9 bolts which are proofed at 120,000 psi. They are much stronger and safer.

 

[jhammel85]

That's some terrible customer service... "backyard mechanics are always wrong" what an unprofessional a**hole. I work as a parts specialist for a industrial pump distributor and I'd never talk to a customer like that...

Anyway, Those prices are nuts. I fully agree with KCM1582 on the Grade 8's (or equiv).

 

[feellnfroggy]

definitely grade 8, you can order body mount bushings and grade 8's from Duff or one of the others for half that I'm sure. But I would watch craigslist for a wrecked truck or check the junkyards, I would definitely withouth question buy the poly bushings, with 3 inch lift blocks and find my own grade 8's. SInce you got the truck apart now is the perfect time for a body lift anyways.

 

[rcwc28]

idnk would a hockey puck work for a bushing too??? or should i ask what the difference bee

 

[88_Eddie]

i never go to the dealership for anything, i dont care what i need. if it's a dealer only item, i'll find the closest thing i can and make it work. it's always cheaper not to have to deal with them. and, the ones i have dealt with always seem like dicks. maybe it's just me. they seem like i'm inconveniencing them b/c i'm asking them to do their job

 

[basilfaulty]

Why not put your running gear in the other truck?

 

[adsm08]

idnk would a hockey puck work for a bushing too??? or should i ask what the difference bee

Hockey pucks don't have the metal reinforcement sleeve in the middle.

Also, the parts guy may have been dumb enough to be looking at a regular cab. I think those have fewer mount bolts.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hockey pucks don't have the metal reinforcement sleeve in the middle.

Also, the parts guy may have been dumb enough to be looking at a regular cab. I think those have fewer mount bolts.

My std cab has 2 in the core support, 2 in the floorboard and behind the seat. I got 2 spare spacers with my bodylift, which I assume were intended for an ext cab truck.

If it wasn't such a PITA to look I would, but I am 92% positive that the bolts that came with my bodylift were 8.8's.