Well I have been searching for sleeves for my new body bushings for a long time. I did not have the extra $200 to purchase new ones. So after asking many questions and not getting much help, my quest is finally over. All I can say is why didn't I think of this sooner. If you think about it the sleeves in the bushings don't support any weight, they mainly hold the bushing in place. Now the washers on the bottom hold the majority of the weight. SO, I am purchasing new grade 8 bolts and washers (big enough to cover the bottom of the bushing). I went to Home Depot and bought a 3/4" x 18: piece of bloack pipe and had it cut down to the size of the bushings: radiator support is 1 5/8", front cab mount is 2 1/8" and rear cab mount is 2 1/2". I then grinded the edges smooth and greased them up really good. The radiator support bushings seemed to have a smaller inside dia. but with a little persuasion they went in. I have to cut out the rest of my old bushing so I will get more pics once I get it finished! Hopefully this will work out just as I think it will.

 

With your setup is there a solid metal to metal to metal connection?
...or is it just my imagination. ;)

Alvin in AZ

 

What do you mean?

 

I think what he is saying is that fron the picture, it looks like the sleeve sticks out further than the bushing which would stop you from actually tightening the bushing because it would stop on the sleeve. I'm sure you took this into account and it only looks like this because we can only see it from the bottom. As long as the sleeve is the correct length and it allows for some compression of the bushing before the washer seats against the sleeve, it should work great.

I thinks it's a great idea, good job dreaming it up and putting it to use!!!!

 

I got it now!!! They should slightly compress a little bit, if not I can always remove them and do some trimming. How short would you think to cut them? Maybe 1/8" for compression? I am not sure how much the stock ones compress. I am going today to finally get the hardware to bolt it all up, should have more pics later!

 

Actually the sleeve keeps you from compressing the bushing to far. I would make the sleeve about a 1/4" shorter than the bushing to allow a little compression and use lock nuts. It will still allow for a little cushion between the frame and cab.

 

I was thinking more along the line of 1/4" shorter. I will cut them down tomorrow. I didn't get lock nuts but I did but a tube of blue lock-tight to put on them. I figured that should be just as good if not better than the lock nuts.

 

UPDATE:
Alright, I cut 1/4" off the sleeves for bushing compression. I started bolting it together and it turned out that 1/4" was too much. The polyurithane didn't like that much compression. So I had to do some remeasuring and ended up taking 1/8" off and it seems to be just right. I have to get more tubing since I am now 1 sleeve short. I am still working on getting the right size bolts and washers. The rear bolts are 4", front cab are 3 1/3" and I am going to try 2 1/2" for the front. I am having a really hard time finding washers that are 1/3 inside and 2" across.

 

For the washers, you may want to look into a company that sells large stud bolts for valve and pipeline work. Try and google Ferguson Enterprises, Inc and also type in your city and state. Also look for dorman products. We use Ferguson all the time at work. They may be listed as Structural Washers also.

 

What was the final verdict? I am doing this on my 82 and it sounds like a good idea. I am having problems as well with saving the orignal insides of the bushings.

 

It works great, haven't had any problems and no squeeks. Just make sure you put some greese on the sleeves when you slide them in.

 

So i know this is an old thread but i came across it trying to find sleeves for my 77 f250 and i am having the same issues as you did. Just hoping you see this post so i can ask you what you actually ended up with for lengths on the pipe, bolts and washers? I measured my cab bolts and they are all 4" but i seem to have lost my radiator support bolts. Hopefully you still have the info and you see this. Thanks in advance.

 

As for the sleeves being cut I used: radiator support is 1 1/2", front cab mount is 2" and rear cab mount is 2 3/8". As for bolts, just find something about 3/4-1" longer than each and I used 1/2" thick. Finding washers is a pain, I stacked 3 fender washers to make one about 1/8" thick. I used all grade 8 bolts and used lock tight on them. You want the sleeve just smaller, about 1/8" smaller than the bushings for slich compression. All the sleeve does is hold the bushing in place. I have not had any problems with this set-up since I did it.

 

Great thread but FYI, the OEM style hardware is available, I got mine from LMC.

 

Yes it is available, but it comes with a cost! Lol