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Roberto
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Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
What kind of bolts will you replace them with? I have the same problem with them constantly popping out!
Bob H |
Why are they popping out? If the nut is coming loose due to vibrations or other reasons a graded bolt may not help much. On the other hand, if the
bolts themselves are failing (e.g. snapping, bending) the graded bolts (get a grade 8) will solve the problem.
I had a problem with a couple of bolts on my hitch coming loose. I found out one morning in Baja just before taking off for the day! Had my travel
trailer in tow, too! Would not have been a pretty picture if the remaining ones had come off, as it was, the hitch was hanging 1" lower than it should
on the passenger side. 
I replaced all the bolts, but I also tack-welded the nuts so that it would never happen again.
P.S. Yes David, those look like cheap carriage bolts from the pictures.
[Edited on 9-25-2007 by Roberto]
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David K
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I did notice the shinny look to the bolts... I am surprised that they would use them if they are less than Grade 5... It was part of the kit from
Ride-Rite/ Firestone.
I have used Grade 8 bolts when building a buggy trailer for Baja!
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bajalou
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A fine thread will also be stronger than a coarse thread.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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bajataco
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Very cool David. This will give you a wide range of adjustment. The gamble you take with these is the longevity/durability of the bags in
remote/off-road conditions. If you ever do a remote trip with a permanent heavy load (like a camper) where you are really relying on the bags to
support the weight, I would suggest investing in a spare bag to throw in your spares kit. Every modification we make to our trucks is a compromise one
way or another. This is one that makes sense for the way you use the truck (dynamic loads). Viva Baja!
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Bob H
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Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
What kind of bolts will you replace them with? I have the same problem with them constantly popping out!
Bob H |
Why are they popping out? If the nut is coming loose due to vibrations or other reasons a graded bolt may not help much. On the other hand, if the
bolts themselves are failing (e.g. snapping, bending) the graded bolts (get a grade 8) will solve the problem.
I replaced all the bolts, but I also tack-welded the nuts so that it would never happen again.
[Edited on 9-25-2007 by Roberto] |
On two occasions, one of the bolts popped out (not loose, just snapped) once when going over a bump and a second time going over a bridge that was
bumpy. We always cary spares now. I will double check the markings on the bolts from now on.
This is fantastic information here!
Bob H
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David K
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Looking at one of the bolts used to install the air bags, it is a Grade 5... other two just below look like Grade 8... That's good!
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DianaT
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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With the standard installation, our air-bags did not survive Baja. Took them off and went with super springs. We were tired of trying to replace
broken bolts.
Good luck, and hope the bolts are super bolts. Oh, we kept the onboard compressor we had installed and really like it.
John and diane
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comitan
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David
I see no problem with the upper bolts, its the lower stove bolts that I'm going to replace with 8s and have them tacked at the top so they be re
tightened on second thought I will double nut them. ( Shiny ones on the bottom are stove bolts I know I installed mine)
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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John M
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Location: California High Desert
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Carriage Bolts
From one of the installation pages is this photo and picture of the bolts in question
Contacting a bolt store, he said that carriage bolts are either grade 2 or grade 5. The grade 5 have 3 slash marks on the head of the bolt. I beleive
I'd use blue lock-tite on the nuts along with a grade 8 hex bolt. I would hesitate to spot weld a bolt in place in this application.
John
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Bajaddict
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Registered: 12-6-2002
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My rear leafs on my 99 Tacoma (with shell and full lumber rack) were worn... it would bottom out going slowly over speed bumps, even when empty.
Deaver Springs ( deaverspring.com ) added a leaf and re-built the packs for $430 or $480.... I forget which.
It leveled out the ride without making them overly stiff (the "empty dump truck effect") .... and bottoming out is no longer a problem.
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Roberto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by John M
From one of the installation pages is this photo and picture of the bolts in question
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Yes, exactly. That's what I was referring to when I mentioned carriage bolts. They have the characteristic head clearly visible in the picture.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64844
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Location: San Diego County
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The carriage bolts are marked : HKT (and) 307A on the head... What does that signify?
Off Road Warehouse did the installation and guaranteed it... Lock tite was used and I told them the concerns I heard before (bolts breaking, coming
loose) and Elex said they were 'professionals at this', not to worry! I told them I want it to be as strong as if it was a Baja racer!
In any case, even if one fails on a trip, it is no worse than before without them... the stock springs are there and I now have bigger shocks... I am
not adding an oversize camper or hauling out 'lost mission gold'! 
Thanks for the comments and contributions... thats what a discussion board is about! Also, it's nice to see you here Chris!
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Sharksbaja
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Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Something strange
in the 2nd photo. It looks as if the lower bracket is bowed from overtightening. I am sure those are not torqued properly. If you look at the bow then
you come to realize that with more fatigue and flexing an overtightened bolt like those may pull apart as the thread weakens the bolt at the shoulder.
I would take those cheap channel brackets and throw them away and have someone fashion you some out of 3/4"X 2" solid bar stock. On the top end I
would make a bracket to place under the two bolts on the top. I would use 3/16 or 1/4" X1" bar stock. Drill the two 9/16" holes as required for new
1/2" bolts. Replace with hardened machine bolts. All you need is a saw and a drill press. To insure they stay put I would just run a second nut up
and cinch it against the primary nut(s). Like so:
[Edited on 9-28-2007 by Sharksbaja]
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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["hauling out 'lost mission gold'!"]
So you found it, I thought you were holding something back. That's really why you needed a stiffer rearend under load.
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DanO
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Location: Not far from the Pacific
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Yeah, that is way cool.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
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David
What these markings ( The carriage bolts are marked : HKT (and) 307A on the head)mean I don't know but I do know they are not strong, because when
installing I made a little mistake and have one that is bent(very easy)
[Edited on 9-28-2007 by comitan]
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by whistler
Shark,is that a design program?If it is,which one? |
Actually, it's a vector program. It has various tools similar to Photoshop. I like it because with vector drawings you can manipulate every aspect
w/o loss of resolution. Plus you can save as other files for different programs. It's called Drawplus.
I think those brackets are "Takahashi" brand and should be beefed up.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8946
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Now, time will tell how it does in the long haul... I will keep you informed!
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David,
Baja Grande is in November. We could use a capable Toyota on the run, and yours looks ready. Think about it. Pavo inside Mision Sta. Maria??? 
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Bajaddict
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 12-6-2002
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Do you stilll have your "old" shocks? Wanna let them go for some $ ?
Mine are blowin' mud.... 
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4baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1339
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: morro bay ca
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ill have too agree with JD trotter, i had too sets of these air bags and both developed leeks in the baja. i replaced them with add a leafe leafe
springs and never had a problem. they just never seemed too hold up too the speeds i was driveing the dirt roads. allso the original bilstein shocks
supplied by toyota are junk as i told dave along time ago on our tacomas, i allso replaced them with upgrades. just installed the super leafs on my
tundra and they seem too work great, will see on my 7 sister trip in december.
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