Torque specs on YJ body lift?

[wrendog]

Fellow YJ owners (or TJ owners, or anyone for that matter),
If anybody could help me out with a couple Q's I'd appreciate it.
Question #1
I installed a JKS 1 1/4" BL the other day and was just curious as to the torque specs of the body/frame bolts from the factory w/o BL and the specs with the BL. The install instructions that came with the lift were quite non-specific and ambiguous-- it stated to tighten until "tight without crushing the rubber washers that fit under the frame bolt mounts." I didn't use locktite( I'm going to buy some and reinstall the bolts later) and would like to know the proper torque specs with which to tighten them. I've read posts about the danger of body bolts ripping out, etc. (although hopefully not with such a minor BL) so I'm a bit concerned.

Question #2
Does anyone have any experience installing those generic Autozone/Pep Boys/etc. towhooks? I bought a pair and they of course do not have the proper bolt patterns for the factory drilled holes on my YJ. I'd like to not waste the money (20 bucks) but I'm hesitant to drill new holes into the front frame (extending into the round tube that is welded into the ladder frame and front frame crosspiece. I'm also afraid that the closeness (~3 cm) of the bolts on the hooks could encourage the hooks just to rip out of the frame vertically rather than pull horizontally. These hooks are rated to 10K lbs. BTW.
So to make a long,rambling question more concise: should I just buy a new set of hooks with factory spec'ed bolt positions or can I drill into the frame to install these hooks?

Thanks for the input,
Warren

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1994 4.0L YJ
2" Rusty's AALs,1 1/4" JKS BL , AR-63s, 32-11.50 BFG MTs, 2" Drawtite Receiver Hitch, Trail Rack, Receiver Rack, Clarion CD, 2 Boston Acoustic 5x7 in custom boxes
* custom mods include various dents, scratches, and sheet metal alterations courtesy of BAD DRIVING INC.
Motto: "We serve members worldwide in helping them modify their vehicles free of charge."

[ksdaoski]

cant help u with either one really...i did though just buy a set of the factory style tow hooks, the ones that reach both and front frame holes. bad news theyre steel horse http://jeepsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif but i got them at carparts.com with the 33% off...they were bout 10 each, so are 14 for the pair, plus shipping. they worked great really. use lots of wd40 to clean out the frame holes, and also a wire brush if possible, really cleans out the rust and muck!

ps...how does the bl look?

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88 YJ 4cyl, 30' tires, 112k miles, Tj rear bumper, top off all the time...screw the oregon rain!

[wrendog]

ks,
Thanks for the heads up on the Carparts deal. 14 bones for hooks seems like a great deal. Even if they are Steel Horse, if they're rated to 10K lb. they should be just as good as any other hook shouldn't they?
The body lift looks fine. It is only 1 1/4" so the gaps in the wheelwells are unnoticable. The gap between the body and frame in the back look fine as well. The durathane pucks that JKS provides actually look pretty good. They are thick and wide-- not thin like I've seen with some body lifted YJs. The install also went relatively smoothly despite my inexperience.

Warren

[This message has been edited by wrendog (edited 06-19-2000).]

[YJeeper]

When I put the tow hooks on the front of '88 YJ I bolted the tow hook using the first hole, drilled and tapped the second hole, used grade 8 bolts and lock washers and have had no problems. My yjeep still being stock, the tow hooks have been used numerous times without any sign of wear or fatigue on the hole that was drilled and tapped. Good Luck!

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YJeeper,
Take care,
Have fun,
Keep Wheelin'

[isleyJ]

I ran into the same problem/concern with the front tow hooks. I stumbled across this page by Terry Howe. <a href="http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/body/yjtow.html">Tow Hook Bracket</a> I didn't want to drill into the crossmember so I did this instead. Hope this helps.

Do you have any pics of your Jeep so I could check out the BL?



[This message has been edited by isleyJ (edited 06-19-2000).]

[BrackneyC]

Originally posted by wrendog:
Fellow YJ owners (or TJ owners, or anyone for that matter),
If anybody could help me out with a couple Q's I'd appreciate it.
Question #1
I installed a JKS 1 1/4" BL the other day and was just curious as to the torque specs of the body/frame bolts from the factory w/o BL and the specs with the BL. The install instructions that came with the lift were quite non-specific and ambiguous-- it stated to tighten until "tight without crushing the rubber washers that fit under the frame bolt mounts." I didn't use locktite( I'm going to buy some and reinstall the bolts later) and would like to know the proper torque specs with which to tighten them. I've read posts about the danger of body bolts ripping out, etc. (although hopefully not with such a minor BL) so I'm a bit concerned.

Question #2
Does anyone have any experience installing those generic Autozone/Pep Boys/etc. towhooks? I bought a pair and they of course do not have the proper bolt patterns for the factory drilled holes on my YJ. I'd like to not waste the money (20 bucks) but I'm hesitant to drill new holes into the front frame (extending into the round tube that is welded into the ladder frame and front frame crosspiece. I'm also afraid that the closeness (~3 cm) of the bolts on the hooks could encourage the hooks just to rip out of the frame vertically rather than pull horizontally. These hooks are rated to 10K lbs. BTW.
So to make a long,rambling question more concise: should I just buy a new set of hooks with factory spec'ed bolt positions or can I drill into the frame to install these hooks?

Thanks for the input,
Warren




I used the first bolt hole, drilled the second right into the front tube that the bumper is bolted to. Have been pulled a few times, no problems. I did however do away with the torx bolts in favor of some grade 8 hardware.


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http://www.geocities.com/brackneyc_2000/

[wrendog]

Thanks for the help everybody,
IsleyJ:
Unfortunately I have neither access to a digital camera nor a scanner. Perhaps when we go to Randolph in two weeks somebody there will have a dig. camera. I'll try to get some then or get access to a scanner to upload some regualr photos.

Warren

Man...you don't need grade 8 for the body! I used 5 w/ my 1" and I just boxed square tubing all the way around. The body is soooo light w/ minimal force. Grade 8 is a waste of $$$ for non-drive train non-hard parts. Just bottom them out w/ an impact gun and let them be.

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Massey engineering lift system. Does being a jeep pimp mean that you think jeeps are hoes? What kind of 302 do you have?Http://www.Jeepsides.homestead.com/JEEPSIDESHOME.html Car crushing excitement.