Bolts for our trucks.. - bulk place to buy?

[msgross]

I am working on my fleetside bed and have noticed that most of the bolts are the 5/16 and 3/4" or 1". Where is the best place to buy a bulk order 50-100 ea. of the SS bolts? I know that everyone sells kits (inner fenders, bed front, cross sill etc..) but I would rather save money than what those kits run.... I already have a bolt kit for the wood bed.

[jugernot]

I was just thinking about bolt kits aswell and remember other member talking about www.totallystainless.com The have complete bolt kits. I was going to call on Monday and put in an order.

http://totallystainless.com/totally.html

[WyoRoadDog]

You could try Fastenal (.com), and see what they price out at. They have stores all over, so you could probably save on shipping as well. I've gone to them for oddball fasteners for my Ducati, and they've always had them, or gotten them in.

[roj2323]

i agree totaly stainless is your best bet. either way stainless is going to be expencive. i've done research on there kits and for what they include the price is right where it should be. besides it's a family buisness with a great reputaion and a willingness to do anything to help there customers. that's why i'm spending allmost $700 on there fastners.
ondrew

edit: as for low grade stainless for interior trim and anything that you can get away with low grade bolts, go to ace hardware, they're prices are ok but still far cheaper than buying them online.

[msgross]

i'm just trying to avoid buying 10 overpriced kits when I could by two types of bulk bolts...

totally stainless isn't far from me so I am going to look them up...thanks.

[nandress]

Totally Stainless is a great place for kits of fasteners. They definately are not over priced. My only gripe is that some of the kits are not complete, oddball fasteners are usually not available, and some of the fasteners you get in their kits are not the same size or length (but that is really GM's fault).

If you want bulk of one or two common sizes, look behind the bulk bins at your local Ace. They will sometimes have boxes with 100 or so nuts or bolts that you can buy, but they may be at the per fastener rate, which isn't cheap.

Another option is McMaster-Carr, MSC or Grainger. They sell by bulk (or sometimes individually) and their prices are very competitive. Finally, if you look in your Yellow Pages, your town may have a fastener supplier that is local and will do counter sales. Sometimes they have a minimum, but if you are friendly and make way for the regulars, they will generally help you out with no complaints.

And a word about Stainless. Probably the most comprehensive explanation I have ever read on the topic can be found at Totally Stainless. The vast majority of the stainless out there is run of the mill, and not very strong. Most applications do not require high strength fasteners, so the corrosion resistance and better looks of stainless are not a bad idea. If you need a high strength SS fastener, ARP is the only way to go. Their stainless are stronger than Grade 8, and they look good. But they do cost an arm and a leg!!

[ghackett1]

I agree, Totally Stainless is one great way to go. I personally bought a complete Stainless Kit for a 68 Camaro I restored not long ago and I was very impressed. Came complete with every nut and bolt on the exterior you could imagine. Even had Black Chrome where some of the bolts were supposed to have the dark look. Good Luck@@

[Erl]

Try mcmaster.com

[shifty]

www.fastenal.com

When I bought my radiator support mounts from Brothers a few weeks back, one came with a goofy ass thread and the nut wouldn't go on. I tried cleaning it up, but it was no use. I finally went ahead and tried to crank it down, and it basically ate the threads.

After exhaustive searching, Fastenal was the only place that carried a 7/16 carriage bolt in 2.5" length. It was nearly identical to the bolt Brothers used and it only cost me 60¢ each or something similar.

I highly recommend going to your local Fastenal with each bolt you need and buying in bulk. They carry all grades and all materials (including Stainless).

[LUV2XCLR8]

All of the Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Etc..... on my entire rig, EXCEPT suspension,
is from Totally Stainless, everything was BAGGED & LABELED seperately

[John Fabris]

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

All of the Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Etc..... on my entire rig, EXCEPT suspension,
is from Totally Stainless, everything was BAGGED & LABELED seperately

Ditto on my truck!!!

[jacobs]

Look in the yellow pages of your local phone book for "Bolts". Large cities usually have numerous dealers that sell stainless steel bolts and nuts in quanties of 100+ for very reasonable prices.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by jacobs

Look in the yellow pages of your local phone book for "Bolts". Large cities usually have numerous dealers that sell stainless steel bolts and nuts in quanties of 100+ for very reasonable prices.

You've never been to Harrisburg, PA have you?

[jacobs]

Originally Posted by msgross

You've never been to Harrisburg, PA have you?

No I haven't. Is there anything east of the Mississippi River?

[jacobs]

BTW stainless steel bolts have a bad habit of galling after a few years and making disassembly very difficult. I haven’t tried it but anti-seize might help.

[msgross]

Did u know...

The highest point in Pennsylvania is Mt. Davis at 3,213 feet
The lowest point in Colorado is the Arkansas River at 3,315 feet above sea level.

There is stuff East of the river, it's just a little flatter!