Im installing a lift from a 2000 Ford PSD on my 99 Ford PSD. Everything fits perfect exept for the upper track bar. Ford decided to increase the size of the track bar bolt in 2000. From what the parts guy told me the 2000 uses a 20 mm bolt and the 99 uses a 14 mm bolt. So the bracket has a hole that is 6mm too big.

What would be the easiest method of correcting the bolt hole size? (other than buying a new track bar and lower bracket, thats about $200).

We have one local machine shop and they are booked for a week and half. My truck is torn apart and I cant wait that long (DD).

My idea was to find a piece of sleeve , cut it the thickness of the bracket on each side, press it in. I have found a piece that fits the diameter of the bracket but the inside diameter was bigger than the bolt. Nothing else close in town.

Any ideas?

I think you missed the ford forum!:flipoff2:

Weld and drill!

This is more of a general question. Could be done on any type of bolt hole. :flipoff2: The fact that its on a ford is irrelavent. Besides, I can never get a decent response on that board. If its not extreme its never worth anyones .02.

How about taking a piece of 13/16" round stock and drilling it out with a 14mm (reduced shank) bit?

OK, so noone has 13/16" rods. Get a slightly larger one, and drill out the bushing?

OK - Metalmart.com has 13/16" BRASS for $1.12/1", and 1018 steel for $0.32/1".

Bryan

Why not drill out the bushing and re-sleeve it to use the larger bolt?

Originally posted by Old Scout
............Weld and drill!

I wouldnt go the sleeving the bolt route IMO. There is a reason that ford went from a 14m to a 20mm... thats a huge jump, almost 1/4". only right way to do it is to remove the bracket.... weld that hole up.. and re-dril it to the correct size, which should be around 21/32" for a 16mm bolt. then let it cool and re-paint it.

you say that theres nothing in town, but i bet if you really want to do it right you can find some old farmer with a welder and drill press in his shop.

thats how id do it anyway, not that it matters.:flipoff2:

I would suggest you cut some plate to weld over both sides of the track bar bracket - then drill the new smaller holes and use a longer bolt but in the smaller diameter.

Or, sell me the lift so I can install it on my 2000 Ford :p

"I would suggest you cut some plate to weld over both sides of the track bar bracket - then drill the new smaller holes and use a longer bolt but in the smaller diameter."

This was my first plan. I went as far as cutting the pieces out. When I clamped them on I just didnt like the way it looked. Granted, it is a very good solution. I just didnt want someone to look under my truck and ask what that shit was all about. That's the only reason I began looking for a second alternative.



Originally posted by DRM
Or, sell me the lift so I can install it on my 2000 Ford :p

I was almost to that point.

Thanks for the help guys. I went back to NAPA during lunch and asked them to let ME go through their stuff. I was able to find a sleeve that will press into the track bar bracket perfectly. The inside diameter was larger than the 14 mm bolt though.

Then I went back to the instructions. It says that you might have to drill out the track bar sleeve to allow the NEW 17 mm bolt to fit. HMM, didnt get one of those. The press in sleeve has an iside diameter of 5/8". The track bar sleeve is more than thick enough to accomodate being drilled to 5/8's and still retain its strength.

So its off to the band saw to cut the new sleeves and then drill press the track bar sleeve to 5/8's. This should work, at least in my head it does.


If it does, I might have to hit you up DRM

Chop off the end of the trac bar, drill it, tap it put a heim on the end of it and....


install a damned American bolt fawker! :usa: :flipoff2:

Thats exactly what I have on my TJ but opposite ends and not OE bar.

Originally posted by JEEP_TJ_FREAK
install a damned American bolt fawker! :usa: :flipoff2:


Read the post above fawker:flipoff2:

I did. I used the bandsaw and made two small sleeves, pressed them into the bracket. Drilled the trackbar sleeve out to 5/8's. Looks like a pro job if I do say so my self. And yes, It does have an :usa: bolt in it now.