General QuestionsGeneral questions related to 1999-2007 Super Duty trucks. If it doesn't fit the other categories, post it here. Gas engine discussion that pertains to all models is allowed. Specific gas engine questions should use the Gas Engines forum.
Does anyone know what the torque specs are for the attachment bolts that mount the receiver hitch to the frame?
My girlfriend's 2003 F350 Superduty crewcab didn't come with a receiver hitch. I bought one from the local salvage yard off of a 2000 F350 crewcab duelly. I want to make sure I bolt this thing on right with the correct torque. Thanks.
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Does anyone know what the torque specs are for the attachment bolts that mount the receiver hitch to the frame?
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I can't find it for a SuperDuty pickup - probably because the receiver is optional and not really part of the truck.
But on the Excursion, the receiver hitch is standard and is an integral part of the truck, so it's in the workshop manual. The torque specs for the receiver hitch on a 2003 Excursion is 85 lb/ft. I suspect that would also be a good spec for a pickup. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]
BTW, the workshop manual emphasizes that when you remove and reinstall the receiver hitch, you must use new bolts. And of the 8 bolts involved, two are shear bolts. So you should probably crawl up under another SuperDuty that has the optional receiver hitch installed and note which bolts go where.
The following is quoted from the workshop manual:
To remove receiver hitch:
With the help of an assistant, remove the trailer hitch.
1. Note the location of the shear bolts prior to removal. Remove the two shear bolts in three stages. [*]Stage 1: Using a 1/8 in. drill bit, start a pilot hole. [*]Stage 2: Using a 1/2 in. drill bit, drill out the center of the shear bolt. [*]Stage 3: Using a suitable air chisel, remove the head from the shear bolt. [*]During installation, tighten the shear bolts until the bolt heads shear off.
2.Remove and discard the six bolts. [*]During installation, install new bolts. Torque 85 lb/ft.
3. Remove the trailer hitch.
4. Remove the four nut and retainer assemblies. Remove the remainder of the two shear bolts from the nut and retainer assemblies. [*]If the nut and retainer assembly is damaged during shear bolt removal, install a new nut and retainer.
Guys,
Thanks for the reply. All eight bolts that we took off look the same so I'm not sure which two would be the shear bolts. I'm not sure why you have to go through all of that trouble to remove the shear bolts as described up above. All eight bolts we took out came out intact and without damage. The nuts that the bolts go into are attached to a metal plate that sits on top of the truck frame and is removable. Do you really think its necessary to to buy new bolts? Would the dealer be the only place to get these bolts? Thanks for the info.
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2004 F350 Lariat, CC, LWB, 4x4, Dually, 6.0L w/ TorqShift, 4.10 LS, Dark Charcoal Gray, Permatech sprayed liner, A-pillar pod with 3 Isspro gauges, windshield-mount gauge pod with 3 more Isspro gauges, AIC, Jason cap, and PIAA fog lamps, mounted as aux. back-up lights. Billet badges. Alpine radio, a bunch of JL Audio and Sirius stuff.
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Guys,
Thanks for the reply. All eight bolts that we took off look the same so I'm not sure which two would be the shear bolts. I'm not sure why you have to go through all of that trouble to remove the shear bolts as described up above. All eight bolts we took out came out intact and without damage. The nuts that the bolts go into are attached to a metal plate that sits on top of the truck frame and is removable. Do you really think its necessary to to buy new bolts? Would the dealer be the only place to get these bolts? Thanks for the info.
Wayne
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I noted the same when I removed my receiver hitch to mount my aftermarket rear bumper. I reused the factory bolts as I only towed a couple of times and even that was less than 6k pounds. They are metric equivalent grade 8 bolts; good stuff.
The bolts were a $!)*# to get off of mine - they had some blue goop on them (looked like loctite) that fought me every thread. As for putting them back on, I just torqued them up as tight as I could.
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2003 F250 XLT CC Long Bed 4x4, 6.0 w/Auto
Breaker bar = Redneck Torque wrench!
The hitch shop that installed mine used an impact. Torque shmork! I guess they tightened them as tight as they would go, Huh?
Gerald
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