80 BODY MOUNTS CRACKING

[80UTE]

I done a bodylift (50mm/2") on the missus TD80 about 6 years (120,000 Km) ago and lately had some noises comming from the back. Checked all the body mounting bolts and found the 2 rear most mounting bolts loose. On further inspection the LH rear mount appeared to have bad cracking and some piece's had fallen off, when i removed the bolt (OXY) and removed the body lift spacer it revealed an approx 50mm by 50mm jaggered gapping hole cracked through 3 thicknesses of metal that hold the body in place. To repair what a awkward and difficult task that required cleaning up to bear metal straighting the layers of bent up metal, rewelding the piece that fell out and fitting a reinforcing plate to the inside of the mount and to the bottom sandwiching the repair nice and tight and then fully welding. This is all done with a 50mm gap between the chassis and the body, sustained heaps of burns from having to lay on my back to grind and weld what was required. This mount wont crack up now but i hope i dont have to do this type of repair again. I checked all other mounts for security and cracking and found the LH mount under the paassengers feet starting to crack from spot weld that was too close to the edge of the mount and gave a good starting point for the crack to start. Welded that up as that was only a 10 minute job. I would suggest that if you have fitted a body lift to your 80 keep a check on the bolts for tightness and mounts for cracks.

Wally

[80diesel4play]

Noticed a similar situation developing in the back of mine too!!!

More from having a towbar on - and smacking the trailing edges of washouts when going over them - or dropping into holes - one bloke said he saw it comepress into the body (the body lift blocks) and the distance between chassis and body reduce by half!!!

I've had issue with the bolts coming loose as well (nylocks?? duh!) and having to get back in there again....

Cars getting a chassis chop there soon to remove overhang... and a towbar removal!!!