Hey all, first post here, I baught a 2005 Dakota last month and decidided to dress her up a bit. I bought a bull bar for the front bumper and started to put it on the other night, how in the heck do you get the bolts on the bottom of frame loose that runs up through the front clip mounts ? My impact wouldnt budge it so I broke out the breaker bar and got them to move but thats about it. Soaked them down with pb blaster a few days ago and left it soak, going to try it again tonight !

 

I got one of those little torches from the hardware store. That has done the trick for me on a few nuts that wouldn't budge.

 

Those are actually body mounts. Open the hood and you will see the tops of the bolts. I broke mine trying to install tow hooks. Dealer only part, expect to pay about $40 each.


More info:


https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...unt-bolts.html

 

And if the bolt just spins and won't come loose, read this thread, post # 16 shows a clamp that stops the spinning.

Welcome aboard.

 

Thanks guys, almost sounds like its going to be easier to fab a new mounting spot ahead of that one and re fab the mount for the bull bar, couple of welds and be done with it.

 

Well I never did get the bolts loose so I did the next best thing. I picked up a piece of round steel, 2 case hardened bolts and nuts from TSC and made my own mounts. I cut the tubes to length, welded the nuts on then moved 2 inches in front of the original mount and welded the new mounts in place. I had to take the cut off wheel and cut about 2 inches off the mounting bracket and drill new holes but it took less than an hour total and its done !!

Thanks guys

Stan

 

Pics!!!

 

I will see if I can get some tomorrow, its been pouring down rain all day so don't see me crawling under it today !!

 

Here ya go jkeaton, kinda hard to see but you should get the point