Is it worth the money to buy a complete stainless bolt kit for $360 kit includes all interior and exterior or just buy grade 8 bolts for my 51 Ford f1



Thanks
Jimmie

 

I would go to my local tractor supply or hardware store that sells graded bolts by the pound and buy what I needed. For sheet metal, gr5 is more than adequate and will hold up better than what was used originally. Short answer, for a driver, the cost of all those SS bolts is hard to justify.

 

Fastenal keeps a real good selection as well. All grades, steel, aluminium and stainless.

 

Fastenal will also order anything they have in their catalog saving on shipping.

 

I have found that wherever there is an airport there is also at least one really nice hardware supplier. There is an Ababa Bolt close to me and they carry everything in the way of nuts and bolts and washers. Great place, I spend a ton of cash there every year. That said, you have to be willing to buy a "box" when you may only need a couple but if you have a hardware bin then the extras are always on hand for future project work. Hardware kits are nice if you are a "one and done" kinda guy, but most of us are in it for the long haul...your decision.

 

I have done 3 trucks a 51and two56's all in stainless......I did a 76 bronco all in grade 8 hardware....now I'm getting ready to assemble a 49 f-4 probably in grade 8...... I live in farm country so most hardware stores or tractor supply sell the hardware by the pound so I buy as I need it.... it's not really that high buying it by the pound....... you can go even cheaper and by grade 5 for body assembly.........just my opinion

 

Like the others on here i'm a firm believer in keeping stock on hand.The time and money you spend running out to buy what you need over the years costs lots of money in gas and inconvenience. I buy from online that has free shipping and when i know most sizes of the current project i order 100 of each.
A good $300 inventory will save you in the long run.

 

SS bolts will keep your truck looking good after a couple years of use. It also makes it easy to make changes or repairs providing you use anti-seize compound on each fastener. I made that mistake and had to cut off several SS bolts. I still have a few on the rear fenders that I hope I never have to remove.

The kit makes it easier in that you have all the right bolt sizes for each location. SS just is a matter of pride in a job done better . . . but if you have some budget constraints then standard plated fasteners will be just fine.