I am removing the rust from the back half of my frame and painting it with POR15. I'm also removing the stock blocks and replacing the stock shackles with BEL-6400. I also cut out the spare tire winch/rear crossmember and am reinstalling my hitch to the top of the frame rail. The gas filler hose might need to be replaced as well. I think I might attempt to rebuild my rear drums as well. Here is my progress so far. I forgot to take before pictures. This is after dissassembly, wire wheel, and marine clean. I need to go back and wire wheel a few more places that I missed.

 

I did that with some Rustoleum during my body lift, still looks good.

 

why in heck would you cut out something that is a rear crossmember.. the bumper does not serve that purpose ... dumbest thing i have seen on here in years.. good luck with that..

 

Is this dumb also?



Lighten up or at least read before you post.

 

it looking good

 

no that is extremely good...

i read your post it just said installing a hitch.. really didnt make sense, being if it was just installed on the top or bottom of the frame the other side of it can still flex... but in that pic being boxed wont allow that.. now if that was posted would have made perfect sense..

 

Mine won't be welded. It will be bolted to the top and bottom of the frame.

 

ok now its top and bottom.. first post said top... go with your second one here. will alot less frame flexing.. also should have put a temp support beam on before removal so the fame rails dont get spread apart...

 

Not to sound stupid or anything, but how do you get those bedliners out?

 

Lift up the bedliner in the middle at the rear of the bed.

 

I got all the painting done and installed the new shackles. What am I supposed to torque the shackle bolts to?









I bolted the hitch to the top of the frame.



I was thinking about having this 1/8" angle steel gusseted and welded to the bottom of my frame and then drilling two holes through it into the hitch. Do you think that would support the bottom of my frame enough?

 

It cant hurt it and if anything it will help.

 

I like what you've done.

The angle iron would probably be ok. Or you could weld a wider piece of angle onto the hitch that bolts on to the bottom of the frame where the hitch originally bolted. Much like you are already thinking just switch which side is welded and which is bolted.

 

Lookin good so far. Yuo know I never really paid attention to your sig and never realized your truck is a Mazda. I always thought it was a Ford, still looks good though.

 

meh...possibly but I dunno. It's kinda iffy about the gusset. Yes it will help but will it be a "be all end all fix" no.

 

Anyone know what I should torque the shackle bolts to?

 

stock torque duh.



seriously I have no idea. Just torque it till it's tight.

 

Rear shackle to spring nut 72-97 lb-ft
Rear spring shackle to rear bracket bolt 85 lb-ft

 

Sweet I just finished replacing my hangers and shackles on my 94 Ranger and was looking for this info. Thanks.

 

looking good! nice progress