Has anyone ever replaced these?

[72tutone]

My apologies I cant seem to find the proper name for this. But as you can see there is a considerable gap in between and I was thinking of cutting the rivets out and bolting them back with some grade 8 hardware.
Has anyone ever done so? Is it ok to do this?

[steelhorse]

The are reinforcing plates to strengthen the frame.

[72tutone]

Originally Posted by steelhorse

The are reinforcing plates to strengthen the frame.

Thanks! Now I know what to call them. I'm assuming I can cut the rivets out clean up the underside get the rust out and grade 8 some hardware in there? At least that was my plan.

[GASoline71]

That might be like that from the factory. I'd try to confirm that and leave it alone if it were me.

Gary

[72tutone]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

That might be like that from the factory. I'd try to confirm that and leave it alone if it were me.

Gary

Gary, what might be there from the factory? The rivets or the plates? I'm just inquiring whether or not they can be removed, cleaned up, and bolted back together in the same locations just using grade 8 hardware

[72tutone]

Originally Posted by 72tutone

Gary, what might be there from the factory? The rivets or the plates? I'm just inquiring whether or not they can be removed, cleaned up, and bolted back together in the same locations just using grade 8 hardware

Are you referring the the gap? Looking at the truck from the rear this pic is on the right side of the frame. The gap on the left side plate is considerably smaller. That is why the question if they can be removed or not.

[Scott>72-GMC]

I would assume since others have taken other supporting members out and re bolted with grade 8 bolts. That this shouldn't be an issue
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[72tutone]

The rivets? Or these particular reinforcement plates?

[Scott>72-GMC]

I've seen people completely dismantle their frame to sand blast ( thus removing rivets) then re assemble them ( using grade 8 bolts ) so I would assume if u want to remove these plates clean them and bolt them back in u could
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[SS Tim]

While bolts replacing rivets are an approved repair. It is not intended that they be replaced at will. A bolt is not a direct replacement for a rivet. The holes need to be reamed to a very close fit. We are not talking the closest Harbor Freight drill bit size. Another issue is going to be bolt shank length you will need to fit the bolts so the shank is bearing the length of the holes. If its riding on the threads you are loosing strength. Review the factory service manual proceedures for the chevy version. We had a thread on this a while back if you want to search for it. But in the end I still have not found a shop level frame rivet replacement that looks and works as stock. Huck bolts are the closest to rivets for frame repairs but they are not stock appearing.

[Scott>72-GMC]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

While bolts replacing rivets are an approved repair. It is not intended that they be replaced at will. A bolt is not a direct replacement for a rivet. The holes need to be reamed to a very close fit. We are not talking the closest Harbor Freight drill bit size. Another issue is going to be bolt shank length you will need to fit the bolts so the shank is bearing the length of the holes. If its riding on the threads you are loosing strength. Review the factory service manual proceedures for the chevy version. We had a thread on this a while back if you want to search for it. But in the end I still have not found a shop level frame rivet replacement that looks and works as stock. Huck bolts are the closest to rivets for frame repairs but they are not stock appearing.

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[elf w/capital T]

Originally Posted by Scott>72-GMC

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HAhaha

[special-K]

You can remove anything and "properly" bolt it back. But why,appearance? I'd move on to important things if it was my truck. Many trucks never find their way back together and worrying about things that don't matter and will never be seen,once back together,is a good way to see that happen. Don't take this personally,some go far and above what matters and still get them done and that could be you. And,often it's for other reasons that they don't get completed.

[jjzepplin]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

While bolts replacing rivets are an approved repair. It is not intended that they be replaced at will. A bolt is not a direct replacement for a rivet. The holes need to be reamed to a very close fit. We are not talking the closest Harbor Freight drill bit size. Another issue is going to be bolt shank length you will need to fit the bolts so the shank is bearing the length of the holes. If its riding on the threads you are loosing strength. Review the factory service manual proceedures for the chevy version. We had a thread on this a while back if you want to search for it. But in the end I still have not found a shop level frame rivet replacement that looks and works as stock. Huck bolts are the closest to rivets for frame repairs but they are not stock appearing.

Do you have a pic of those "Huck Bolts"? It makes good sense what you say. Rivets fatten as they are compressed, While bolts will stretch and get ever so slightly thinner.

[midniteblues]

if its rust build up between the two plates pushing them apart for sure knock the rivits out blast the peices an bolt'm back in.

if theres no rust between them squeeze them back together with a clamp an be done with them

for these two peices that the op is asking about i dont think there is the stresses put on them that a bolt of the right size of course couldnt handle