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c/4x4-buildsamy975amy9752mo ago

Finally got my winch mounted without stripping anything

Spent 3 hours last Saturday fighting with a Harbor Freight winch plate on my '94 YJ. The bolts just would not catch right until I remembered a tip about using a ratchet strap to pull the crossmember into alignment. Took maybe 20 minutes after that and everything lined up perfectly. Has anyone else had luck with this trick on older frames?
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3 Comments
vera_lewis
vera_lewis2mo ago
Yeah, that ratchet strap trick is pure gold on older frames. Kept me from losing my mind when my bolts wouldn't bite on my '95 YJ. Just gotta make sure the strap is pulling dead straight or it'll fight you the whole time.
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jenniferb53
That ratchet strap trick is a lifesaver on older frames.
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noah_webb
noah_webb28d ago
Putting a ratchet strap on a frame that old is just asking for a cracked rail or a bent bracket if you get carried away. A lot of those YJs and older XJs have enough rust that the metal can give way before the bolt bites down. Why risk the damage instead of just using a magnetic pickup tool or a coat hanger to get the bolts started clean?
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