partsman01 wrote:
Okay, have always installed my own hitches, now have to transfer hijacker 24sl hitch to this 2003 GMC with the long box, 4X4,.
looks like the frame should be alright to get at to drill, but wondering if there are any issues to look out for, like the back I can see the frame is open, but up further it is hard to see and not sure if I need the fishing wire that came with the install kit.
I had to buy a new kit because my old 96 kit was not compatible, and also the instructions show the bolts going in from inside the frame to the outside and then nut and washer are on the outside, and I see these bolts are knurled, so guess one should not use an impact to install, anybody done one before?
partsman01 wrote:
Well been a bit of a nightmare, once I started drilling the holes found out the bolts in the middle bracket would be too close to a raised part of the frame, so bolts would not sit flat, had to drill further over towards the back of the frame, front ones on left side are by the fuel tank, so turns out there is a bracket in there and can not even get the bolts supplied to fit in the space, cut them to 1 1/2 still too long to go in, so will have to try put one in from outside in, but even though I set hitch like they said to at 24 1/2 inches from back of box it did not turn out well, and then tonight while torquing the only bolts I can get a torque wrench on after cutting three holes in the heat shield on the left side, turns out the bracket as it got tightened crushed the box floor up to the rail above, no where in the kit was there any spacers, and supposedly not needed, but it appears they were needed, but done now.
Not too happy with they way it turned out.
Well seeing how it came with instructions, did your read and follow them?? They specific areas by year and model.
I would NEVER use an impact wrench to install a hitch, all of the fasteners have torque specs, that is what you tighten to. With a impact wrench you can easily over torque a nut and bolt combination, and compromise the strength of the bolt. My impact wrench can remove a bolt tightened to over 220#!
All kits I have ever gotten, had spacers for the ribs in the bed so you don't crush the bed.
It looks like you have already done the install your way, if you did use a impact wrench for the install, I would get all new fasteners and use a torque wrench as you have likely compromised the existing fasteners.
