<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by N2ITNSD:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Right now I have one of the big bumper bolts cross-threading because of the misalignment due to my Cibies and I guess I am going to have to put a cheater bar on it to get it to pull up the rest of the way. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Youch! Be careful not to break the bolt. I wish I had a dollar for everytime I should have taken the piece off and done it right. If you break the bolt off you are screwed. Hope you can "open" the hole up a bit, chase the threads and get it lined up.
Are you happy with it so far? Where do you plug the controller in? The spool free/lock lever looks a little vulnerable, is it? Can you use a roller fairlead?
BTW I love it. It doesn't have the R.A. "Im having a bad day" look, and after you mash it up a little it should match just fine
. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I had already screwed up the threads before I knew it. I was using a 1/2" rachet and just didn't feel it get started. The bolt did not get cross-threaded, it was the mounts. So, I figured I would cinch it up and if it broke I would drill it out and re-thread it. I was going to have to re-thread anyway. It cinched up fine, the bolt cut new threads and once it had made it all the way through, it got easier.
I am happy with it except for the "problems" with it being a first run. I really like the build of it and it is definitely well-engineered. The controller plugs into the top of the bumper just to the right of the lock lever. The winch would have to be a new design for the lever to be on top (where it should be), but it has one retaining screw that holds it in, and should be easy to replace if you break it off running into something. It probably sticks out about 2 inches or so. I think you could easily bolt on a roller fairlead in replace of the hawse but I am going with synthetic rope soon anyway.
Once it gets the same amount of bugs and dirt on it that the rest of the front end has, I think it'll look fine.