I have stripped the middle bolt threads and hole on an Xterra specific ARB install.

I was installing a winch today
But when we put the bar back on I stripped the threads

I was thinking about just drilling the hole thru the frame and bolt it with a 1/2 inch bolt and nut.

Is this insane?
It looks like it should be ok.
I was worried that I might weaken the portion of the frame that the ARB is mounted too?

Comments?


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rhombus -- SOXC Member
www.soxc.org

It won't weaken the frame, drill away.

Go ahead and tack weld the bumper in place once it's on too.

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Regards,
Ian

I also two other possibly dumb questions:

1:
I did not use the long side fairlead bolts
that came from ARB.

Was I supposed too?

2:
What did you guys use for that little
ground wire? I used the horn bolt just
thru the grill.

I will weld once I have all my stuff on the bar and I sure that I don't have to take it off.
Getting IPF lights in Canada is not easy (2-4 weeks wait).

Thanks for your help!


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rhombus -- SOXC Member
www.soxc.org

make sure that you mount the lights on the bar before you weld it. there is no room with the winch in there to screw in the lights to the light holes on the bar. I stuck my hand inside Mr Ts ARB to see how much room there was at that mount point when he first got his winch and the room is non-existent.

be very careful about drilling that hole out. this is the same one the gothamist had problems with and his bar doesn't sit flush anymore and if it had a winch it could possibly move around. make sure you the bolt you put in there exactly matches the hole's width. I am just hoping you don't have the same problems as the one guy who's ARB had the holes elongated forcably after winching. i cannot remember his name.

another idea, is to just look into getting a tap and die to simply redo the threads. this may be the simplest route and provide the least problems in the future. i have to do this to get my rock sliders on. 2 of my bolt holes threads are all screwed up.

Well I have just finished drilling the frame and bolting the hole.

I just feel better knowing that the thing is fully attached and not just threaded in.

I set it to 100lbs does that seem about right?

I remember reading that it should be 100lbs (think it was Ian who mentioned it).



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rhombus -- SOXC Member
www.soxc.org

I recommend tightening it until you can't tighten it any more

I'm not liable for overtightened bolts however. ARB mentioned something like 57 lb. ft. which really isn't enough to hold the bull bar in place.

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Regards,
Ian

I would advise against welding the bar. Here is why, If you are running a winch, the Warn especially, they have a thermal switch that turns off the motor in the event of the motor overheating from excessive winching. This switch goes bad. When it does, you will be required to remove the bumper and replace it. If you weld the bumper in place and that switch goes bad, you will have a WONDERFUL time getting that bumper back off.

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Gordon "The Warmonger" White

I personally wouldn't weld the bumper on either, that's just a bad idea. Not just for the light bolts and winch switch, but what happens if you need to replace the bumper or fix something later on that requires it's removal?

As for the stripped threads, why not just re-tap the hole?

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2001 Solar Yellow SE 4x4 V6 5spd

The weld is more for some metal glue (thanks Schlud for the technical term )

I have a bunch of cash sitting on the bumper and only six bolts stopping someone from taking it. Two small spot-welds and it might prevent someone from taking the stuff.

You can get at the winch with the bumper in place. Sure it's a pain in the ass but not unworkable.


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rhombus -- SOXC Member
www.soxc.org

True, that's a good point... A spot weld or two on either side would remedy that possibility. I was thinking along the lines of full welds and such. That'd be a nightmare to remove later.

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2001 Solar Yellow SE 4x4 V6 5spd