Body Mount Replacement

[Jeremy Desmond]

I just finished replacing Body Mount positions B/C/D on the 2003 Trac. I had planned on replacing all 8 mounts position A/B/C/D but when I removed the Battery Box and Air Box I could see that my radiator mount is rusted an broken where position A attaches so I need to order a new one before doing position A. Red circle shows where the crack in the radiator mount is. The blue arrow is pointing at position A drivers side.
(Think that nut is going to come off? LMAO)

I was able to remove all 6 bolts but had to use a air grinder to cut the hardware away.

So these are the steps I did:

1. Disconnect battery and removed battery box.
2. Removed Air Box.
3. Removed both front seats and the floor molding 4 doors.
4. Used a torch to heat the tip of the bolts from underneath to break lock tight.
5. Removed the bolts with 18 mm Air impact ratchet.
6. Used a Grinder to cut away the bottom part of the hardware for the 6 mounts.
7. Used a 3 ton floor jack with a 6x6x12 block of wood and raised the passenger side of the cab just behind mount position C
8. When the cab is about 4" above the frame I removed the old top hardware and installed the new top hardware and bushing for position B/C/D then gently lowered the cab so the new hardware was snug but not supporting the weight of the cab yet.
9. Installed the lower hardware and bushings then hand tightened the bolts from inside the cab.
10. Next I lowered the passenger side of the cab and moved over to the drivers side.
11. After completing the drivers side and the cab weight was sitting on the 6 new mounts I tightening the 6 mounts moving from passenger rear to drivers front and so on to bring the cab down evenly.

The job took 5 hours to do, the truck rides so much smoother even with position A still needing replacement. Doesn't sound like a sledgehammer when driving over a manhole covers.

PARTS:
Carid.com
Dorman 924-951
Dorman 924-959
Dorman 924-960
Dorman 924-961

Ill add to this THREAD when I tear apart the front of the truck and replace the radiator mount and position A.

1 step forward 2 back lol


Jeremy

 

[Red Man from B'dos]

That's great. I do hope mine goes easy when I have to do it. You provided valuable info. Thanks alot. There is alot I want to do on my truck and for sure in will be sharing all my progress with you guys and attach some pictures as well.

 

[Jeremy Desmond]

Wow what a PITA replacing the radiator mount was.
Steps:
Put front end on jack stands.
Remove battery tray and air box.
Removed both tires.
Removed Bumper Cover
Removed Head lights Head light mounts and grill.
Removed both fenders.
Unbolted the radiator and ac compressor from the radiator Mount.
Had to drill out all the spot welds. It was tacked on the top corners of the mount and underneath both head light holes.
Removed old radiator Mount
removed old radiator frame bushings.
Install the new mount.
Reattach the radiator and compressor the the new radiator Mount.
Put in the new radiator frame bushing that started this project
Tack welded the top corners of the mount to the body frame.
The work is almost done part is installed.
Now tomorrow I'll put the fenders and grill back on with battery and air box.

 

[Red Man from B'dos]

Whoa. That was informative. Thanks Jeremy. I too have some plans for mine but have to move it first. Don't worry, you guys won't miss a thing.

 

[Jeremy Desmond]

The TRAC is back!