Bought a new hitch that has the 6" back plate to mount the pinto hitch to at different heights, is there a specific grade of bolt to use and at what torque should it be tightened to?

 

Not sure of the torque, but I would use grade 8 bolts.

 

You won't go wrong with a grade 8 any time you need a bolt and don't want it to break.

You might get by with a lesser bolt, but once you step up from junk (grade 2) to anything better, the grade 8 doesn't cost much more than a grade 5 or 6 and is ofter easier to find.

It sounds like you plan to use a bolt in place of one or more of the pins that came with the adjustable hitch. In that case I would certainly use grade 8, because a bolt is inherently a little weaker than a solid pin that fits in the same hole.

As for torque, if I'm right that you are using the bolt in place of a pin, I would use it with an ordinary lock washer and tighten it just until the lock washer is flat. There is no need to put any strain on the threads and with the lock washer you can be reasonably sure the bolt won't loosen and jiggle around.

 

Thanks for the replies. The pinto hitch has 4 bolt holes to connect to the part that goes into the receiver.

 

There are torque tables that match recommended torque to bolt size and whether you are torquing dry or lubed. Here is a link of an example. The recommendations for grade 8 bolts are on target.

BOLTS AND TORQUE SPECS

Good luck,

Steve

 

Steve just what I was looking for. That page is bookmarked for future projects. Reps sent

 

I posted this a few years ago and guess I should try to keep it on a regular update.

AWS Automotive Frame Welding Standard

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-standard.html

 

A few years ago I was installing a reciever hitch and needed the bolts because they were not packaged with it. I went to a friend who had a machine shop for some grade 8 bolts and told him what I wanted it for. He advised me not to use grade 8 because they are so hard that they will snap when put under excess stress. He advised to use grade 5, that way when it gets under excess stress they will streach and still be attached instead of snapping off.