Damage while using winch on improperly installed Rough Country High Mount

[Tricky Dick]

I think the latest Ford to still have some SAE fasteners would be the 2001 5.0L Explorer. I'm unsure if the entire engine was SAE but I know the exhaust manifold studs were 3/8".

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[zuke]

The earliest American car I had that was all metric was an 86 Corvette.

I don't even have to imagine to get to '86

I have International Scouts right now that have NO metric fasteners. (well, they probably do now, but they didn't when they left the factory)

I really didn't pay much attention to when US cars switched over to metric other than knowing it was gradual, through most of my life I've had a variety of both US and Import vehicles so always had both types of tools.

 

[swooshdave]

I don't even have to imagine to get to '86

I have International Scouts right now that have NO metric fasteners. (well, they probably do now, but they didn't when they left the factory)

I really didn't pay much attention to when US cars switched over to metric other than knowing it was gradual, through most of my life I've had a variety of both US and Import vehicles so always had both types of tools.

I assumed you were an old fart. It was @cynicalrider who was asking.

 

[cynicalrider]

American cars have been metric for longer than you can even imagine.

Funny part is the only American car I ever owned was an '89 Bronco when I was 17 and had 0 knowledge on how to turn a wrench. I remember working on it to try to do rust repair but was awful at it and can't remember what the fasteners were.

 

[Rick Astley]

It is America so I have the right to be offended... by anything!

Words to live by!

 

[swooshdave]

Words to live by!

I only have one mantra and this is it!

 

[Hashlak]

Wow, so I just read through this whole thread.

What a roller coaster ride of differing conclusions and emotions

I think I may be one to join OP as a tester lol.

So yesterday morning I was out with a few friends on the dunes. Got caught in a sticky situation where my right wheel was totally submerged into the sand, belly of the car beached and left wheel lodged up against a mound/bush with steering facing to the right.

No chance to move the steering or wiggle out or back up as I was on a down hill incline.

Anyway, to cut it short.. big black GMC to the rescue with a kinetic tow rope and a heavy foot. We tied the rope to my front left factory towing point (MOD bumper) and it was at an angle so not pulling straight.

Not sure what he was thinking, but the guy floored it .

Yanked out the bronco pretty hard.

Looking at the aftermath, my front left frame horn does seem to have moved ever so slightly due to the force. I can visibly see the part of the frame horn when the bolt goes in. Whereas on the other side, it is hidden behind that plastic cover. So there has been some movement for sure. My bumper also seems a bit wonky.

Been very paranoid since then, hoping that the chassis is not bent. This thread has been extremely interesting and does give some peace of mind.

Anyway, I just thought I would add to this thread. My car has been dropped off this evening to my friends garage. He will be taking it apart in the morning and will post some pics and feedback.

 

[Tricky Dick]

What a roller coaster ride of differing conclusions and emotions

Yeah could have gone better.

I'd love to see your findings, hopefully it was just the faceplates that bent.

 

[kevin.gt]

this buried bronco is exactly what I was talking about when questioning whether the bumper mounting plates will hold up to recovery. we should probably wait before jumping to conclusions, but what’s the fun in that. I assume they’re only intended to be used when your frame is straight with the recovery line?

 

[huey]

American cars have been metric for longer than you can even imagine.

every frame / cradle we build is metric. Does not matter if it is BMW, GM, Ford, Jeep Nissan etc. Automotive is very metric

 

[huey]

Yeah could have gone better.

I'd love to see your findings, hopefully it was just the faceplates that bent.

looking forward to watching the follow up and see how all this turns out!

 

[MillerAndCheeto]

Wow, so I just read through this whole thread.

What a roller coaster ride of differing conclusions and emotions

I think I may be one to join OP as a tester lol.

So yesterday morning I was out with a few friends on the dunes. Got caught in a sticky situation where my right wheel was totally submerged into the sand, belly of the car beached and left wheel lodged up against a mound/bush with steering facing to the right.

No chance to move the steering or wiggle out or back up as I was on a down hill incline.

Anyway, to cut it short.. big black GMC to the rescue with a kinetic tow rope and a heavy foot. We tied the rope to my front left factory towing point (MOD bumper) and it was at an angle so not pulling straight.

Not sure what he was thinking, but the guy floored it .

Yanked out the bronco pretty hard.

Looking at the aftermath, my front left frame horn does seem to have moved ever so slightly due to the force. I can visibly see the part of the frame horn when the bolt goes in. Whereas on the other side, it is hidden behind that plastic cover. So there has been some movement for sure. My bumper also seems a bit wonky.

Been very paranoid since then, hoping that the chassis is not bent. This thread has been extremely interesting and does give some peace of mind.

Anyway, I just thought I would add to this thread. My car has been dropped off this evening to my friends garage. He will be taking it apart in the morning and will post some pics and feedback.

Very much looking forward to seeing what your friend finds after pulling the bumper off. And that is definitely one STUCK Bronco.

My LoD brackets should be shipping this week (hopefully). I also got myself an angle finder, and will be getting some stock measurements before and after I do a ~1,000 lb pull on the winch to pretension the winch line onto the spool. I doubt at such a low amount of stress it will do anything, but I figured I would try to add at least another data point to this discussion before adding my brackets.

 

[RockyBalboa]

I started installing my LOD brackets today. I ran out of time and I'll finish up over the next evening or two.

 

[Tex]

Ah, razorbacks and witch's eyes...what would we ever do without them...

 

[RockyBalboa]

Does anyone know what this slot is for in the LOD brackets? It sticks down below the bottom of the frame rail, but doesn't match up with anything.

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