hey all,
Well ive been at the body lift install for about 1.5 days and ive gotten all the body mount bolts out except for the two in the front(the core support bolts). They are bolts that run up from the bottom and theres a nut on top. Ive gotten the nuts off with no problems but i cant get the bolts out. They are really hard to turn and when they do the bushings move with it. I was wondering if anyone who has done their own install found an easy way to get these out? Btw i have a 2003 regular cab f-150 and its a 3 inch lift by performance accessories. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Try soaking them with penetrating oil. You can hold the bushing with a large pair of channel locks or a pipe wrench.

 

the penetrating oil should do the job, once you can get the bolt to turn without turning the bushing you can either tap them out from the nut side (with a nut on the bolt so that you don't mess up the threads) or you lock some vice grips on the bolt head and tap em out with a hammer...

Good luck..._motes

 

Alright well i still have not been able to get them loose. Its not really the bushing itself but the metal cap on top of it that is stuck to the bolt. When i turn the bolt it turns too. Ive tried penetrating oil and the cap still wont loosen from the bolt. I thought about just drilling the whole bolt out as the hole needs to enlargened anyways with a 1/2 inch bit but im not so sure thats gonna work. I just dont understand why its stuck.

 

I'm sure it's corroded. You might try to heat it up with a torch. Just be careful.

 

Yea thats what i was thinking of doing. Unfortunately i think im out of propane tanks. Looks like another trip to the store. Well hey thanks a lot for your help ill keep ya informed as to how it goes.

 

i had the same problem with mine. i ended up using a pipe wrench with a 2' peice of pipe on the end, to hold the pushing and a ratchet and socket with another pipe to turn the bolt. they will come out. eventually. good luck.

 

Well i got the core support bolts loosened and ive got all the blocks on the passenger side on. Course now the drivers front cab bolt is giving me trouble and its been raining all day so needless to say it hasnt been much fun. Once i can get it out it should be smooth sailing. Well thanks for everyone's help thus far ill keep you updated and hopefully eventually some pics.

 

okay im finally here to make an update. Ive got all the blocks in and everything is pretty much done except for putting the bumpers back on. In the instructions its states that 2003 f-150s dont need to cut the frame horns but when i was fitting the front bumper it will only go up so far and it leaves a noticeable gap and makes the bumper pitch down. I was wondering if anyone had this issue? Chances are i think im just going to use a sawzall and trim the frame horns, i just hope after its done the bumper still has enough play to move up far enough so the gap was like it was before i started this. Another question i had was about the bed bolts nut assembly that slides onto the frame rails underneath. Well one of them was stripped when i took it off apparently and i was wondering if there was some place to buy a replacement or substitute something else in its place that will be safe?

Tomorrow im going to also have tires installed and ill try to take some pics.

 

Yeah, I'd go ahead and trim the frame. I cut mine directly in front of the holes where the tow hooks mount. As for the rear bed, I'd look at Lowes, they have a lot of weird fastners, nuts and bolts. You may be able to use a normal nut if you can get to it.

 

i wanna see some of them pics man..._motes

 

These damn bumpers are a pita. As soon as i get them on and the new tires put on im gonna take some pics you got my word

 

Hey guys im finally back. Got the body lift all finished and i went to discount tire and got my tires. 285/75/16 Bfgoodrich all terrains baby! I must say they are a really great tire and they look awesome to boot. Im gonna clean my truck up a bit tomorrow morning and ill take some pictures. Some before and afters are definitely in order. Well thanks again everyone for all your help(especially wandell)

 

Alright boys and girls as promised the truck is finally now finished. Im gonna post pictures in a separate post in the suspension forum.