Interesting oil consumption issue

[Gizmo42]

All the 98+ 3.2/3.5 have the same oil issue. Just a matter of time as to who gets it when. Mine used to burn 1 qt every 3k for the longest time. Now its at least 1 qt every 1k miles but even that varies a lot. It can burn 1qt in 100 miles then nothing for the next several hundred. If I'm doing a lot of engine braking, like coming back down a trial, it burns enough that I can smell it.

drilled & tapped 8 holes for 3/8x16 bolts.

Best is to go with 1/2" grade 8 bolts. If you are mounted to the tow hooks like the factory one does then cutting a hole and putting a shackle in there works even better. Thats how mine are mounted and even slamming many rocks really hard it never budged.

Notice the bent/smashed lower cross bar and bent up lower parts of the uprights.


Mike (Protetype) had his mounted with the 3/8" bolts that came with it. He rear ended a RAV4 at low speed. The lower bolts sheared allowing it to pivot and it did $5500 in damage.

[tom4bren]

Best is to go with 1/2" grade 8 bolts. If you are mounted to the tow hooks like the factory one does then cutting a hole and putting a shackle in there works even better. Thats how mine are mounted and even slamming many rocks really hard it never budged.

Right now it's mounted with standard grade bolts (because that's what I had on hand). I cleaned out Home Depot of the grade 8's on my way home from work last night but still need to pick up 4 more.

I was going to use 1/2" but a couple of the holes that I drilled & tapped were too close to the edge. My 'rule of thumb' is that the hole shouldn't be any closer to the edge than the diameter of the bolt that is being used.

The Amigo won't be seeing hard 4 wheeling anyway so I'll take the risk. The secondary reason for me picking this Amigo as a DD is that if I ever have an accident, it'll be a 5 speed donor to the VX. The 3.2L may have been used for the same purpose till I noticed the oil consumption.