Body mount bushing question

[85 Jimmy]

I'm about to drop my body back on my frame with some new body mounts. I'm using energy suspension poly body mounts. My question is, on the rear do I put the cylinder style bushing in the clip deal that the rear bumper arms bolt to?
Also, is it necessary to get grabe 8 bolts for the body mounts? Aren't the stockers just some lag bolts?

 

[76zimmer]

lag bolts...NO, I'm not sure what the grade is, probably at least a grade 5...here is a Energy suspension diagram I found when trying to figure out what went where with mine:

go to bottom of page and click on installation instructions

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=3%2E4105

 

[wheels87k5]

I just did ORD body mount bushings and it says not to reuse that bracket. So I didn't.

willie

 

[85 Jimmy]

NOTE:The factory bracket used at position #5 to hold the lower cushion in​

place must not be reused. Supplied nuts are for rear bumper bolts.

That explains it...

 

[badmix]

Gonna Hi-Jack this thread partially.

Body bushings are on my short list of things to do.

Is there any secret, tips or tricks to doing this??

Any problem areas that require some extra attention?

Any special tools needed?

How did those that have done this jack the body up and how much room do you need?

Thanks

 

[85 Jimmy]

I probably won't be much help, I'm swapping body's, so I stole this frame idea from someone on here . I built the frame and used a chain hoist to pick up the body and roll the frame out.

I kinda think it's a good thing that I took the body off. In the body mount for position 3 there is a cage that holds the nut inside of the body, well one of the cages in the body that I'm using broke free and the nut would just spin, so I have to cut the body mount bolt. Then after I got the body off I had to cut that section out, reweld the cage, then weld it back into the body.

From what I've heard and read, most people just unbolt them, put a jack near a body mount, jack up and remove the old mount, put in the new mount and lower it down, do the same for the rest of the body.

Oh, and if you have a hitch, that has to come off to get to the back 2 body mounts. On both my trucks there were hitches, and on both the hitches the nuts on the inside of the frame would spin, so that made it real fun to get them off...

 

[wheels87k5]

How I did my 87 K5, with some help from Mike (OakKnight) and my son.

This is for new body mounts and a 1" body lift.

Soak positions 1,4 and 5 with WD40, or PBblaster etc. Positions 2 and 3 are in the floor. I'll tell you how I know in a few. Loosen all nuts and bolts on both sides.

On the right side I had the square nut (inside the floor) spin on me. There is a marble sized imprint that marks where to drill. I drilled out a hole big enough to use a skill saw to cut a hole (about 1 1x2" by 2") and put wedges in the gaps (between the square nut and wall) to keep it from spinning in the future. You can also reweld the nut back down.

At position 5 you have to remove the bumper bracket bolts (2 each side) that also holds the bracket for the bottom mount. This includes either lowering the gas tank or removing the tank. I was able to do it with just lowering it.

Also, the metal sleeve that goes into the rubbler mounts were rusted to the bolt. I had to ground the head off the bolt so it would drop down. Then with the body lifted up about 2" off the body mount, I cut it off with the power saw. If they're not rusted to the sleeves, then this would not be a problem.

It's not that big of a deal as long as you have the tools and help is always appreciated.

It can be done with one person but it's time consuming if the nuts and bolts are rusted.

When lifting the body up always check the fan blade and shroud, ground straps, and any lines that could get caught on lips and edges. Lift the body with support under a wide measurement to cover more area. I used a 6 ton hydralic jack with a 3 foot piece of 2x6 and lifted the whole side up. And then put 4x4 blocks between the frame for extra safety.

I had to cut the bottom of the fan shroud to clear the blades.

All in all it wasn't that bad....my son helped me get it finished which made it quicker.

 

[badmix]

Thanks for the insight. Im just going with the poly mounts so I wont have to worry about the 1" lift stuff. I dont have any bumper brackets, my bumpers are custom and go directly to the frame, Id remove the bumpers prior to this lil adventure. lol. I figured Id have to lower the tank.

Good call on the PB Blaster.