crack in rad support

[minionsram]

i just know it is suppose to stop the crack from getting longer. i don't know if the heat has anything to do with it. i know i am going to have to lay a couple spot welds before i even attempt to drill just to make sure things don't get worse.

Heat does strange things to thin steel. I am only throwing my 2 cents out there from my years of working for a custom fabrication shop as a fabricator and machinist.  It don't always run or crack more but it won't run for sure if you drill it. If the crack is real long drilling the ends and a couple of spot tacks spaced evenly apart is a must. Don't forget to weld both sides if possible.

[crazzywolfie]

with how much rust there is and the way the weather has been i think i may just swap rad supports and grills with my 91. winter is on the way.

[crazzywolfie]

well i decided to try breaking the bolts free but had no luck. i think i might have to get my dad to come over with his snap on ratchet to break them loose or snap them trying. it really seems to be a 2 person job. someone to hold the wrench while someone turns the ratchet.

[rjtx667]

well i decided to try breaking the bolts free but had no luck. i think i might have to get my dad to come over with his snap on ratchet to break them loose or snap them trying. it really seems to be a 2 person job. someone to hold the wrench while someone turns the ratchet.

I know that feeling after dealing with the bolts on the rear leaf springs. I ended up having to cut most of them away 5/8" grade 8 (even 20 years old and rusted) is very hard stuff.

Good luck

[crazzywolfie]

thanks. i don't think i will be cutting the bolts. i know there is not enough room to hit them from the bottom. not sure if there is enough room to hit them with a grinder on top. i think i will either break them free or snap them trying. a nice 1/2" snap on ratchet just makes things easier but a cheater bar might be used.

[rjtx667]

thanks. i don't think i will be cutting the bolts. i know there is not enough room to hit them from the bottom. not sure if there is enough room to hit them with a grinder on top. i think i will either break them free or snap them trying. a nice 1/2" snap on ratchet just makes things easier but a cheater bar might be used.

I had a 1/2 snap on breaker bar with a 2' cheater bar on it. I was bouncing my whole body off the sucker and the spring bolts did not even budge!!!!

The core support on the 91 and 92 were both a lot easier than that, I don't think it will be too bad for you.

[crazzywolfie]

ya. i managed to break them both loose the only thing that sucks is there was a bit more rust than i thought there was and i think i have no choice but to swap with my 91. my rad support is in real bad shape. i took the bolt and a lot of metal/rust came out with it.

[80W150]

Hey, how long are those bolts? I bought a body bushing kit for my 77 and none of the bolts were the same length. I know they're 1/2" but don't really have a clue on what would be close to proper length. Obviously someone has played in there before. I had the front clip off not only to pull engine/trans but the frame had to be plated and welded. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[crazzywolfie]

In my opinion the bolts are too long. I just got my first minor injury while trying to get the rad support bolts out on my 91.  I might be able to measure the bolts when I get home.

[crazzywolfie]

the bolt i removed from the rad support in my 81 is 2 3/4" long.

i had no luck getting the rad support out of my 91. i took out all the bolts but i guess i have to take the hood and fenders off to get the rad support out. hoping to get my dads help since he now has his truck back.

[rjtx667]

I have seen people do it without taking the fenders off, but you do have to unbolt the fenders.

Anytime I have done it I have taken the fenders and hood off.

[crazzywolfie]

well from the sounds of it i will be getting my dads help tomorrow so we will be able to get the hood and fenders off. i just have not been able to see how to slide the rad support out without taking at least 1 fender off.

[crazzywolfie]

with my dads help we had the rad support out in less than 30 minutes. since it took almost no time at all and we were there anyway i decide to pick up another upgrade for my 81 since it was just sitting there in my 91 not being used.

[rjtx667]

with my dads help we had the rad support out in less than 30 minutes. since it took almost no time at all and we were there anyway i decide to pick up another upgrade for my 81 since it was just sitting there in my 91 not being used.

why is the 91 just sitting there?

[crazzywolfie]

because emissions testing and lots of rust. it has all the same rust sixgun's truck has over the windshield. needs a cab mount and and drivers side floor pan. plus i also screwed the engine. the old oil pan had a good hole in it and i didn't realize till it was too late and it had already started to develop what sound like a rod knock. any vehicle 88 and newer will require emission test. i could not get the original v6 engine to run right so i swapped to the 318 and never really got to finishing it. since i got the RC the 91 has pretty much became a parts truck since i can't work on all 3. i am having difficulty just keeping up the maintenance on 1 let alone all 3. lately i have been thinking about just stripping it for parts and scrap what i can't cut up and use.