Help with a bedside issue....

[UGAK5]

I am doing a full restoration on my 1972 Blazer CST. I replaced the rear bedsides with aftermarket, but they are not drilled for the hardtop/softtop nor do they have the captured nuts under the bedrail for the single wall hardtop (which is what I have).

So, heres the obscure part question - - does anyone know of a good replacement captured nut to weld under the bed rail?

The factory one is a rectangular piece that allows the nut to slide around a bit inside a track to insure you can align everything.

I know I could just use a regular nut/washer, but since this is a CST truck, I do plan on replacing the inner upholstered panels that go inside the bed, so I wont have access to the underside of the bed rails easily.

Appreciate any help or alternative ideas that others may have done - Thanks!

[69-72]

You need to find some of the original nut and cage setups to put on. It's going to be the best way to go, I have seen them for sale on here in the past.

[cleszkie]

I looked for years to find new cage nuts for the underside of my bed rails. Not even my trusty McMaster Carr catalogue had anything.

Then I found a guy on e-bay that was selling new cage nuts that matched the originals pretty well. I ended up buying a complete set. The cage is just like the originals with two 'feet' to weld to the underside of the bed rail. Do a search for 'capture nuts' or 'cage nuts' on e-bay and hopefully the guy is still making them.

[71swb4x4]

Just take the capture nuts off your old bed sides and weld them on to the new ones.

[extd56]

anybody have any pictures of the original ones and the size you would need

[UGAK5]

71swb4x4 - great idea, which I had as well. Unfortunately, the PO did some bedside mods and patched in some shortened pickup bedsides. Therefore, no captured nuts to salvage. Story of my life on this Blazer.

extd56 - Heres a pic of a friends, and a pic of one I found online that could work.....problem I found with the one online is its a locking thread....again, story of my life.

cleszkie - thanks for the lead on eBay - I'll see what I can find!

[71swb4x4]

What makes it a locking thread? A tapered hole, or crushed hole? Either way a couple passes with a tap and you will probably have it working fine.

[UGAK5]

I'm guessing a tapered hole. I found it on an aircraft parts website (which makes me think $$$ as well), just haven't had time to call them when they are open. That and i need to see what thread I'd need too.

I feel sure I will find something I can rig, just had hoped to find something that fit like OEM.

[60case]

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[1971 GMC Jimmy 2wd]

Folllow the rules

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[UGAK5]

Follow the rules please

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