Longer bolts for factory hitch?

daveg · 06-30-08, 06:52 PM

Just went though another frustrating afternoon trying to put my hitch back on. Took it off over a year ago to get all rust off and repaint, in the process snapped nut in frame off at foward most point. Never got around to repainting.

Moving in two weeks and may need to tow, so on goes the hitch with 5 of 6 bolts.

(Just a light duty trailer or gear rack) While putting it on snapped the head off one bolt and snapped another nut in framerail.

Hitch now held on with two rear bolts on driver side and one rear bolt on passenger side.(BTW my last rust belt cruiser)

I was thinking of maybe drilling out remaining bolts then drilling through the top of the frame. That way I coud use new longer bolts with the nut on the topside of the frame. Seems to be the easiest option. So any thoughts on this pro or con?

Thanks, Dave

Cruiser804 · 06-30-08, 09:10 PM

Same thing happened to me. I never did put it back on but I had a couple ideas. Did you think about removing the rear bumper? I think you could access the inside of the frame if you did that.

Also, living a semi-rust belt area I have become a huge fan of PB Blaster and my Craftsman Tap and Die kit.

sseaman · 07-01-08, 08:05 AM

shouldnt be a problem using longer bolts, i would try to drill out first. Mine only have 5 of 6.

Wait wait, time for a new bumper with hitch built in.

latinoguy · 07-01-08, 10:14 AM

Remove the corner plastic piece and you will have easy access to the nut welded to the frame. You may be able to torch it off and weld another one? Or the tap and die process may work too...Heliocoil it?

Let us know what you end up doing...

06-30-08, 06:52 PM	#1
daveg IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Keyport, NJ TLCA# 17411 Posts: 57	Longer bolts for factory hitch? Just went though another frustrating afternoon trying to put my hitch back on. Took it off over a year ago to get all rust off and repaint, in the process snapped nut in frame off at foward most point. Never got around to repainting. Moving in two weeks and may need to tow, so on goes the hitch with 5 of 6 bolts. (Just a light duty trailer or gear rack) While putting it on snapped the head off one bolt and snapped another nut in framerail. Hitch now held on with two rear bolts on driver side and one rear bolt on passenger side.(BTW my last rust belt cruiser) I was thinking of maybe drilling out remaining bolts then drilling through the top of the frame. That way I coud use new longer bolts with the nut on the topside of the frame. Seems to be the easiest option. So any thoughts on this pro or con? Thanks, Dave __________________ Dave G 97' FZJ80 F&R Lockers Stock for now.

06-30-08, 09:10 PM	#2
Cruiser804 IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 TLCA# 9842 Posts: 716	Same thing happened to me. I never did put it back on but I had a couple ideas. Did you think about removing the rear bumper? I think you could access the inside of the frame if you did that. Also, living a semi-rust belt area I have become a huge fan of PB Blaster and my Craftsman Tap and Die kit. __________________ '79 FJ40 33" MTRs, 2" OME;' 96 FZJ80 Retro 100% OEM Lockers, CDL, OEM Hand Trottle, OEM Grab Bar, JDM Cooling Fan, OME 851/860, OEM SubTank in process "The monstrous evils of the twentieth century have shown us that the greediest money grubbers are gentle doves compared with money-hating wolves like Lenin, Stalin and Hitler, who in less than three decades killed or maimed nearly a hundred million men, women, and children and brought untold suffering to a large portion of mankind.” Eric Hoffer

07-01-08, 08:05 AM	#3
sseaman IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,382	shouldnt be a problem using longer bolts, i would try to drill out first. Mine only have 5 of 6. Wait wait, time for a new bumper with hitch built in. __________________ 91 FJ80 318k, spare tire mod, custom roof rack----SOLD 98 4runner 141k---SOLD 98 Avalon 149k 04 Sequoia 74k

07-01-08, 10:14 AM	#4
latinoguy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coachella Valley, CA Posts: 476	Remove the corner plastic piece and you will have easy access to the nut welded to the frame. You may be able to torch it off and weld another one? Or the tap and die process may work too...Heliocoil it? Let us know what you end up doing... __________________ James 97 FZJ80, "La Mula" DD, ARB, Tire Carrier, Sliders, OME 850J/863 springs, L shocks, 295/75/R16, Slee TC Skid Plate, Rear Storage, CB, LEDs, SS Brake Lines, Rear work lights, GPS, HIRs Highs&Lows "Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

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