Threads rusted out-need help!

[CVANN]

After being off my truck for 4 years we finally were ready to put my front end back on last night. The issue now is when I took the front end off 2 of the bolts brought the threads with them. Now I have 2 holes in my firewall/cab that I cant run bolts into. I need suggestions on what to do now. Can you put some sort of thread repair in the hole? How about a rivnut? Thanks in advance!!

[jayoldschool]

Tap them for new bolts.

[vin63]

Depending on the condition of the steel around the area, I would probably install a nutcert. I had to do that on several of the locations that had a welded nut on the backside of the panel that broke off.

[CVANN]

I was concerned there wasn't enough meat there to just drill and tap it.

[CVANN]

Vin63 do your have local place to find nutcerts or just order online?

[jayoldschool]

I wouldn't drill it. Just tap. I did this for my tailgate bolts, turned out fine. Drilling removes material. Tapping just cuts fresh threads, and that's what you need.

[StepSide1965]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

I wouldn't drill it. Just tap. I did this for my tailgate bolts, turned out fine. Drilling removes material. Tapping just cuts fresh threads, and that's what you need.

Look into Heli-Coils, I love them,work great...

[leonphelps]

if they are the same size as the door bolts and the bed bolts, get a 3/8 tap and put it on a drill. run it in and out and be done, 3/8" bolt will fit fine.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by leonphelps

if they are the same size as the door bolts and the bed bolts, get a 3/8 tap and put it on a drill. run it in and out and be done, 3/8" bolt will fit fine.

well if the nuts are stripped then they have already lost material. if it was the bolt that stripped then you may have the opportunity to clean it up. I would always do the tapping by hand as it give you the feel for what is happejawsning. most taps are 4 sided for mounting and don't really fit well
in a chuck with 3 jaws
ron

[vin63]

Originally Posted by CVANN

Vin63 do your have local place to find nutcerts or just order online?

Do a search for threaded inserts, rivet nuts, or nutserts to see if there are suppliers near you. I use a local to me hardware/fastener supplier that carries them, but there are online suppliers:

https://www.fastenal.com/products/fa...%20Nuts%22%7C~

You'll need to get a nutsert tool like this one. If you have a couple of stripped blind nuts, you'll probably have more, so this will come in handy for this and other projects you have: http://www.tooltopia.com/marson-3930...gmuRoCEY3w_wcB

[vince1]

I would not use a rivnut just because with the environment it is in next time someone has to take the bolts out they will be rusted in and the rivnut will just turn.

Going up one size or maybe even try metric to find one slightly larger than original would be my choice.

[CVANN]

Thanks guys for all the help!

[leonphelps]

just a quick addition, I did all 12 door holes and 4 tailgate hinges. All threaded perfectly with the oversize 3/8 bolts. I did have to go to the junkyard since I only had three of the longer bolts. I know its not perfect, but using a round tap in a drill jaw worked fine in my makita drill. There was plenty of material to cut for the new size.

[padresag]

mind you one can go past the square mounting part to round shank is what you did I take it.. so did you use an oversize 3/8 to go with you oversize 3/8 bolts. I have never seen oversize 3/8 olts
ron

[leonphelps]

3/8 is the next size up. try one on the unmolested holes and it will not fit in there. you also want a coarser thread than the fine thread originally in the metal piece.