"matt borland" <mborland@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
news:kkLne.3654$iu.100@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
>
> "Clap Trap" <nowhere@the.net> wrote in message
> news:766ec$429d8fe4$18d60a3d$21775@KNOLOGY.NET...
> > You can do it without the nut strip and without removing the rear
> > bumper. I did it on my '99 without removing anything and without paying
> > the dealer an outrageous price for that silly nut strip. Don't have
> > time to explain now - gotta go to work. But, if anyone is interested,
> > I'll post the details this afternoon.
>
>
> I'm interested!

My hitch (the cheesy Putnam) came with a spring
steel wire that grabs the bolts... made fishing
them very easy. No bumper to remove, etc.
You could get the same effect from a piece
of baling wire and some electrical tape.
__
Steve
..

 

"matt borland" <mborland@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
news:kkLne.3654$iu.100@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
>
> "Clap Trap" <nowhere@the.net> wrote in message
> news:766ec$429d8fe4$18d60a3d$21775@KNOLOGY.NET...
> > You can do it without the nut strip and without removing the rear
> > bumper. I did it on my '99 without removing anything and without paying
> > the dealer an outrageous price for that silly nut strip. Don't have
> > time to explain now - gotta go to work. But, if anyone is interested,
> > I'll post the details this afternoon.
>
>
> I'm interested!

My hitch (the cheesy Putnam) came with a spring
steel wire that grabs the bolts... made fishing
them very easy. No bumper to remove, etc.
You could get the same effect from a piece
of baling wire and some electrical tape.
__
Steve
..

 

"matt borland" <mborland@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
news:kkLne.3654$iu.100@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
>
> "Clap Trap" <nowhere@the.net> wrote in message
> news:766ec$429d8fe4$18d60a3d$21775@KNOLOGY.NET...
> > You can do it without the nut strip and without removing the rear
> > bumper. I did it on my '99 without removing anything and without paying
> > the dealer an outrageous price for that silly nut strip. Don't have
> > time to explain now - gotta go to work. But, if anyone is interested,
> > I'll post the details this afternoon.
>
>
> I'm interested!

My hitch (the cheesy Putnam) came with a spring
steel wire that grabs the bolts... made fishing
them very easy. No bumper to remove, etc.
You could get the same effect from a piece
of baling wire and some electrical tape.
__
Steve
..

 

DISCLAIMER: This is for informational purposes only. I am describing
what I did with mine, not telling you what to do with yours. You must
judge for yourself if you think this is safe for your situation.

I don't recall what size the bolts are that hold the hitch in place. I
think they are something like 3/8-24. You can take one out from the
side that already has the nut strip in to use it as a guide.

Once you know what size that bolt is, go to your friendly neighborhood
fastener shop - a real bolt shop, not autozone or o'reilly or any such
chain. Ask them to get you some Grade 8 (minimum) set screws that are
the same size as the bolt used on the nut strip side. These will be
something like:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMPXNO=4524167

You need to get them at least a couple inches long. For each set screw,
you also need two nuts, two flat washers, and two lock washers.

Also be sure to get some fresh grade 8 bolts/washers for the nut strip
side while you're there.

Take one of the nuts, apply some loc-tite, and put the nut on the end of
the set screw without the allen head, leaving at least two or three
threads protruding through the nut. Set the assembly aside and let the
loc-tite dry.

Once all your set screw/nut assemblies are dry, put a lockwasher, then a
flat washer on them (lockwasher goes next to the nut). Use a little bit
of scotch tape to hold the washers in place for the next step.

Using a fishwire or some sort of grabber tool, insert a set
screw/nut/washer assembly into the frame rail and fish it into position.
Once in position, just let it hang there while you fish in the rest.
This is not as hard as it seems. If I remember correctly, there is a
slot in the frame rail that will let the assembly fit through. But, you
will have to do them in the right order or subsequent fishes will
dislodge the ones you've already put in place.

Once you have them all fished into place, get a buddy (or use a jack) to
help you lift the hitch into place so that you can position it without
dislodging your set screw assemblies. Install and hand tighten a bolt
or two on the side with the nut strip to hold the hitch in place while
you work on the set screw side. (Actually, only screw them in a few
turns, it will help to leave the hitch very loose while you are working
with the set screw side).

Now, position the hitch in place (without dislodging your set screws)
and for each of the set screw assemblies, simply put on a flat washer,
lock washer, and nut, and hand tighten. Put any remaining bolts in on
the other side and hand tighten.

Once everything is hand tight, just go back around and tool tighten
everything. By using the set screw assemblies, you can hold the 'bolt'
and tighten it from the same side - thus eliminating the need for a nut
strip.

Mine has been on this way for 4 years or so with no trouble.

If I seem to have left something out, let me know - it's been years
since I did this - my memory may be dull.

matt borland wrote:
> "Clap Trap" <nowhere@the.net> wrote in message
> news:766ec$429d8fe4$18d60a3d$21775@KNOLOGY.NET...
>
>>You can do it without the nut strip and without removing the rear
>>bumper. I did it on my '99 without removing anything and without paying
>>the dealer an outrageous price for that silly nut strip. Don't have
>>time to explain now - gotta go to work. But, if anyone is interested,
>>I'll post the details this afternoon.
>
>
>
> I'm interested!
>
>
> Thanks to everyone who replied so far!
>
>
>
> -Matt- "..."
>
>

 

DISCLAIMER: This is for informational purposes only. I am describing
what I did with mine, not telling you what to do with yours. You must
judge for yourself if you think this is safe for your situation.

I don't recall what size the bolts are that hold the hitch in place. I
think they are something like 3/8-24. You can take one out from the
side that already has the nut strip in to use it as a guide.

Once you know what size that bolt is, go to your friendly neighborhood
fastener shop - a real bolt shop, not autozone or o'reilly or any such
chain. Ask them to get you some Grade 8 (minimum) set screws that are
the same size as the bolt used on the nut strip side. These will be
something like:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMPXNO=4524167

You need to get them at least a couple inches long. For each set screw,
you also need two nuts, two flat washers, and two lock washers.

Also be sure to get some fresh grade 8 bolts/washers for the nut strip
side while you're there.

Take one of the nuts, apply some loc-tite, and put the nut on the end of
the set screw without the allen head, leaving at least two or three
threads protruding through the nut. Set the assembly aside and let the
loc-tite dry.

Once all your set screw/nut assemblies are dry, put a lockwasher, then a
flat washer on them (lockwasher goes next to the nut). Use a little bit
of scotch tape to hold the washers in place for the next step.

Using a fishwire or some sort of grabber tool, insert a set
screw/nut/washer assembly into the frame rail and fish it into position.
Once in position, just let it hang there while you fish in the rest.
This is not as hard as it seems. If I remember correctly, there is a
slot in the frame rail that will let the assembly fit through. But, you
will have to do them in the right order or subsequent fishes will
dislodge the ones you've already put in place.

Once you have them all fished into place, get a buddy (or use a jack) to
help you lift the hitch into place so that you can position it without
dislodging your set screw assemblies. Install and hand tighten a bolt
or two on the side with the nut strip to hold the hitch in place while
you work on the set screw side. (Actually, only screw them in a few
turns, it will help to leave the hitch very loose while you are working
with the set screw side).

Now, position the hitch in place (without dislodging your set screws)
and for each of the set screw assemblies, simply put on a flat washer,
lock washer, and nut, and hand tighten. Put any remaining bolts in on
the other side and hand tighten.

Once everything is hand tight, just go back around and tool tighten
everything. By using the set screw assemblies, you can hold the 'bolt'
and tighten it from the same side - thus eliminating the need for a nut
strip.

Mine has been on this way for 4 years or so with no trouble.

If I seem to have left something out, let me know - it's been years
since I did this - my memory may be dull.

matt borland wrote:
> "Clap Trap" <nowhere@the.net> wrote in message
> news:766ec$429d8fe4$18d60a3d$21775@KNOLOGY.NET...
>
>>You can do it without the nut strip and without removing the rear
>>bumper. I did it on my '99 without removing anything and without paying
>>the dealer an outrageous price for that silly nut strip. Don't have
>>time to explain now - gotta go to work. But, if anyone is interested,
>>I'll post the details this afternoon.
>
>
>
> I'm interested!
>
>
> Thanks to everyone who replied so far!
>
>
>
> -Matt- "..."
>
>

 

DISCLAIMER: This is for informational purposes only. I am describing
what I did with mine, not telling you what to do with yours. You must
judge for yourself if you think this is safe for your situation.

I don't recall what size the bolts are that hold the hitch in place. I
think they are something like 3/8-24. You can take one out from the
side that already has the nut strip in to use it as a guide.

Once you know what size that bolt is, go to your friendly neighborhood
fastener shop - a real bolt shop, not autozone or o'reilly or any such
chain. Ask them to get you some Grade 8 (minimum) set screws that are
the same size as the bolt used on the nut strip side. These will be
something like:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMPXNO=4524167

You need to get them at least a couple inches long. For each set screw,
you also need two nuts, two flat washers, and two lock washers.

Also be sure to get some fresh grade 8 bolts/washers for the nut strip
side while you're there.

Take one of the nuts, apply some loc-tite, and put the nut on the end of
the set screw without the allen head, leaving at least two or three
threads protruding through the nut. Set the assembly aside and let the
loc-tite dry.

Once all your set screw/nut assemblies are dry, put a lockwasher, then a
flat washer on them (lockwasher goes next to the nut). Use a little bit
of scotch tape to hold the washers in place for the next step.

Using a fishwire or some sort of grabber tool, insert a set
screw/nut/washer assembly into the frame rail and fish it into position.
Once in position, just let it hang there while you fish in the rest.
This is not as hard as it seems. If I remember correctly, there is a
slot in the frame rail that will let the assembly fit through. But, you
will have to do them in the right order or subsequent fishes will
dislodge the ones you've already put in place.

Once you have them all fished into place, get a buddy (or use a jack) to
help you lift the hitch into place so that you can position it without
dislodging your set screw assemblies. Install and hand tighten a bolt
or two on the side with the nut strip to hold the hitch in place while
you work on the set screw side. (Actually, only screw them in a few
turns, it will help to leave the hitch very loose while you are working
with the set screw side).

Now, position the hitch in place (without dislodging your set screws)
and for each of the set screw assemblies, simply put on a flat washer,
lock washer, and nut, and hand tighten. Put any remaining bolts in on
the other side and hand tighten.

Once everything is hand tight, just go back around and tool tighten
everything. By using the set screw assemblies, you can hold the 'bolt'
and tighten it from the same side - thus eliminating the need for a nut
strip.

Mine has been on this way for 4 years or so with no trouble.

If I seem to have left something out, let me know - it's been years
since I did this - my memory may be dull.

matt borland wrote:
> "Clap Trap" <nowhere@the.net> wrote in message
> news:766ec$429d8fe4$18d60a3d$21775@KNOLOGY.NET...
>
>>You can do it without the nut strip and without removing the rear
>>bumper. I did it on my '99 without removing anything and without paying
>>the dealer an outrageous price for that silly nut strip. Don't have
>>time to explain now - gotta go to work. But, if anyone is interested,
>>I'll post the details this afternoon.
>
>
>
> I'm interested!
>
>
> Thanks to everyone who replied so far!
>
>
>
> -Matt- "..."
>
>

 

DISCLAIMER: This is for informational purposes only. I am describing
what I did with mine, not telling you what to do with yours. You must
judge for yourself if you think this is safe for your situation.

I don't recall what size the bolts are that hold the hitch in place. I
think they are something like 3/8-24. You can take one out from the
side that already has the nut strip in to use it as a guide.

Once you know what size that bolt is, go to your friendly neighborhood
fastener shop - a real bolt shop, not autozone or o'reilly or any such
chain. Ask them to get you some Grade 8 (minimum) set screws that are
the same size as the bolt used on the nut strip side. These will be
something like:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMPXNO=4524167

You need to get them at least a couple inches long. For each set screw,
you also need two nuts, two flat washers, and two lock washers.

Also be sure to get some fresh grade 8 bolts/washers for the nut strip
side while you're there.

Take one of the nuts, apply some loc-tite, and put the nut on the end of
the set screw without the allen head, leaving at least two or three
threads protruding through the nut. Set the assembly aside and let the
loc-tite dry.

Once all your set screw/nut assemblies are dry, put a lockwasher, then a
flat washer on them (lockwasher goes next to the nut). Use a little bit
of scotch tape to hold the washers in place for the next step.

Using a fishwire or some sort of grabber tool, insert a set
screw/nut/washer assembly into the frame rail and fish it into position.
Once in position, just let it hang there while you fish in the rest.
This is not as hard as it seems. If I remember correctly, there is a
slot in the frame rail that will let the assembly fit through. But, you
will have to do them in the right order or subsequent fishes will
dislodge the ones you've already put in place.

Once you have them all fished into place, get a buddy (or use a jack) to
help you lift the hitch into place so that you can position it without
dislodging your set screw assemblies. Install and hand tighten a bolt
or two on the side with the nut strip to hold the hitch in place while
you work on the set screw side. (Actually, only screw them in a few
turns, it will help to leave the hitch very loose while you are working
with the set screw side).

Now, position the hitch in place (without dislodging your set screws)
and for each of the set screw assemblies, simply put on a flat washer,
lock washer, and nut, and hand tighten. Put any remaining bolts in on
the other side and hand tighten.

Once everything is hand tight, just go back around and tool tighten
everything. By using the set screw assemblies, you can hold the 'bolt'
and tighten it from the same side - thus eliminating the need for a nut
strip.

Mine has been on this way for 4 years or so with no trouble.

If I seem to have left something out, let me know - it's been years
since I did this - my memory may be dull.

matt borland wrote:
> "Clap Trap" <nowhere@the.net> wrote in message
> news:766ec$429d8fe4$18d60a3d$21775@KNOLOGY.NET...
>
>>You can do it without the nut strip and without removing the rear
>>bumper. I did it on my '99 without removing anything and without paying
>>the dealer an outrageous price for that silly nut strip. Don't have
>>time to explain now - gotta go to work. But, if anyone is interested,
>>I'll post the details this afternoon.
>
>
>
> I'm interested!
>
>
> Thanks to everyone who replied so far!
>
>
>
> -Matt- "..."
>
>