AZ BS Thread 4²0

Gees! Glad you're okay. That must have been a scary experience.

 

Damn man hope you're OK

 

Damn, here's one to hoping it all goes well. The fact that your posting here is a good sign.

 

The world can't escape my shitposting that easily.

Honestly I feel mostly normal and the PT/OT gave me approval to come home (which I am now) and they pretty much point blank said this was an extremely lucky break.

 

Twas a good night. Good thing it was warm forgot my new down quilt thankfully the Dixxon sherpa blanket I had in the truck was enough

 

damn man. Glad you were able to make it to your phone and youre alright!

 

Damn! Glad to hear you are back home and up and moving.

 

It was good to get out of this brutal heat for a while!

 

Dang! Glad to hear you are doing better!

 

anyone have suggestions on removing uca’s on a 3rd gen? Cut the bolt/bend the metal? Thoughts?

 

bend the metal then push and yell.

 

Grab some channel locks and bend the sheet metal outwards a bit to clear. Just be careful because there is some wiring/brake lines behind it on the drivers side if I remember correctly. Some just cut the bolt and install it backwards with loctite. I re-installed it in the same direction.
total chaos posted this years ago and he shows where to bend:
https://youtu.be/bbsTJgb6S_c?si=idAUfi_DXf-TZD9H

 

Just bend it outta the way. Keep in mind the little plastic clips that hold a few wire looms and you can manage without too much damage. DON'T use vise grips, it can be done very carefully with an adjustable wrench in small bits and bent back afterwards. The mud flaps will hide some sin if you get carried away. Easily a one man show, just take your time. Replacing can be tough when lining up the washers, but very doable. Get yourself a long rod to help push the bolt in on both sides. Slip it in through the from grill and lightly tap it into place. You can access both bolts from the grill. Check the washer locations after a few taps and send it. Best of Luck
Please don't install the bolt backwards.. Not a good idea IMO

 

The bolt is a pain in the balls to get in backwards anyways.
You run into just as many clearance issues hitting it from the back with the same sized rod.

Honestly I feel like a very precise little notch would make the replacement sunshine and rainbows, but actually cutting it properly would be a bear.

 

That’s a resounding answer from all of you: bend metal > cut bolt.

Thanks. Dont know when the front shocks are coming in the mail, but I found out my future BIL has a shop/lift I can use in Flagstaff. It was a drive to install the rear suspension this weekend but a happy one as the temps dropped.

no more saggy taco butt on my ride.

 

I saw that video but it’s a second gen and I read that the 3rd gen was tighter clearance. Hopefully I’ll be able to take my dad with me as a second set of hands.

 

I just cut my OEM bolt and reinstalled a new OEM bolt backwards when I did mine. No bending required (only temporary repositioning of brake lines) and no tapping it in with a long rod from the end. Keep everything aligned and you can push it in with your hand, (maybe only if your truck is an AZ truck (rustfree), though we did clean/scrub everything, including inside of the tubing, during the disassembly process).

The only story I have ever heard of a UCA bolt/nut coming undone was by a guy here in the AZBS thread, and his bolt wasn't reoriented to be backwards, it was OEM.

The horrors associated with putting it in backwards are unfounded in my professional experience. Stick some Vibra-tite on your crucial bolt/nut interactions and periodically check them when you get gas or have a minute or two to spare waiting for someone to come out of the house/restaurant/store.

 

Huak tuah and spit on that thing

 

^^^^This^^^^

Torque strip bright colors works awesome as well.