Have a question for you mechanics/engineers

[2003TRD]

I am bolting something down in the back of my truck and it has 1/4" diameter holes for mounting. I drilled the 1/4 in holes in the bed for it but a few of the holes are extremely hard to get to underneath, So my question is what can I use to secure it instead of nuts and bolts? I was thinking toggle bolts but you need a 1/2" hole for the smallest toggles (also not sure of there strenght) I thought about rivits but it is expensive to buy a rivet gun that will discharge 1/4" rivets. Any other options?

Thanks
Howard

 

[labman]

I don't think the sheet metal of the bed is going to hold that heavy of a load. If it is much of a load, you are going to have to figure out how to tie into something more solid.

Otherwise, I think you could bolt it to a plate or some strips and then rivet them down to the bed. Any cheap Pop Rivet tool will handle 3/16'' rivets. Just use a bunch of them, at least twice as many as there are bolt holes, and look for steel ones. Sheet metal screws might do. None of the places I shop regularly have much in the way of large plates. You should be able to find 3'' x 1/8'' strips. Use a couple of them or more to catch all the bolt holes. Then use generous amounts of sheet metal screws or Pop Rivets to fasten them down.

 

[Rick in PA]

This is the type of fastener you're looking for:
http://www.pennfast.com/fastening_products/atlas/

This is a supply company that sells them:
http://www.mcmaster.com/
Enter "rivet nut" into the search window.

The setting tool is the $$$ problem. Try the mcmaster site, they appear to offer one type of rivet nut that does not require a tool.

Otherwise, have a body shop or such install a few for you?

Good luck.

 

[cryptokid]

when i helped my father attach a slide in camper to his truck bed we came upon a similar problem. the solusion i figured out was to mig weld a long thin rod onto the side of the nut. then we could push the nut up between the gastank and the frame to the hole for which the bolt needed to go through. then the bolt and nut were tightend down, we just left the rod atached to it so that the nut could be easily removed in the future.

 

[PRRPILL]

Most trucks are held by 6-8 bolts, that are very accessible. Undo the bolts and jack up the bed a few inches. Put the bolts in with a washer on both sides, torque down, let the bed down, and tighten all the bolts and nuts to the required torque. All you need is air tools and a few friends,

 

[2003TRD]

Some good ideas, thanks for the replies guys. What do you recommend as far as hardware goes i.e. grade 8 stainless?

Thanks

 

[eljefino]

What is this "thing"? A portable gas tank, for example, would need over-engineering compared to, say, a spare tire, when it comes to bolting down.

 

[2003TRD]

sorry, I am bolting down a couple of motorcycle wheel chocks to haul sportbikes.

 

[shortyb]

For just chocks, the rivet nuts (sometimes called wellnuts or nutserts) should do just fine. Tie-down eyelets may be another story and need something more substantial. Make sure to drill the hole as large or slightly smaller so the knurling will grip the surrounding metal. You may have to pound them in. Merely tightening the bolt will secure the underneath part of the rivet nut so no special tools should be needed.