door hinge backing plates

[leonphelps]

I should have posted back here. A friend was over my place helping with some body work. He went in my tool box when I was not looking and took a 3/8-16 tap. He grabbed my cordless makita drill. I was occupied, so I had no idea what he was doing. Next he sprayed wd40 on the holes and screwed the tap in the hole. It cut perfectly clean threads on the plate. After I heard the third, I stopped what I was doing and walked around to see what he was up to. He said he knew I was going to worry about those keepers behind the plate and I just needed to try this. It worked great and the threads are strong. Only problem now is getting the 1 1/2" 3/8 fender bolts since they are 1.50 each.

Wish I would have tried this before welding nuts on the back of the first plate.