The problem with unistrut nuts and bolts, is that they are all mild steel, grade 3 at best, and coarse thread... Most engieers recommend grade 8 bolts and nuts for frame work,no lock washers, and only ,flat washers, also grade 8 and torque to hold them tight.. Also, fine thread.. Kind of like the U bolts on your axles... high nuts do not hurt a thing... if you are going to take a step, take a whole step amigo, and do it to the max.. You know that Caterpillar does not use any lock washers, only torque to hold things together. My thinking is that uni strut, is not meant to go down the road, but to be stationary in construction applications..

Baja

 

You are probably correct they may not be the best solution for this use, but I would like to mention a couple of things. They are available in 316 stainless; that's not the same as grade 8, but also not mild steel. No fine thread that I see, so agree there.

As far as stationary vs going down the road, I've used them on my aux tanks on motorcycles as mentioned above and I don't ride only on nice days or the best roads. That setup has been to Alaska and everywhere else in the US and western Canada and have held up well.

It was just a suggestion in the mix of other ideas and as there is availability at the plant to obtain a couple and see if they'll work, it doesn't cost anything to look. I know in my case I'll do something that maybe isn't optimal but it will give me an idea that is.

I've followed this build from the beginning and I've learned that Pat will make the best decision and do the job right. I think the rest of us can just put out ideas to see if something will lead to whatever is the best solution.

 

I grabbed a few from the electricians, and, after looking at them, came to the same conclusion that Baja stated. I'm using grade 8 bolts now, and, realized that I should probably stay with those. But, it was an interesting suggestion, Jim! I may keep these in mind for other things on the truck!

 

Hard to go wrong with grade 8. Are you going to capture the nuts somehow in the channel?

 

I have access to all of the nuts from the backside, just have to drop the tank.

 

Hey Pat, how 'bout blending all the suggestions above? Make some "nut plates". Tack weld some strong nuts to a strap of steel. Kinda like Ford does in the rear bedside pillar for the bolts that mount the tailgate rollers.

 

Redneck solution: Weld a 3/16" or 1/4" rod to the side of the nut, bend the rod so you can hold the nut in place and prevent the nut from rotating. The hole to insert the nut can be just big enough for the nut to fit through. You will be partially annealing the nut when you weld the rod to it. I don't know if you need a grade 8 bolt and nut? A failure would probably occur with the bolt head tearing out the sheet metal before a thread failure? Maybe?

 

I trust most of the suggestions I have gotten, and or found on this forum. None have been bad, or erroneous. All have been helpful. Thank you Gavin for one of the most practical solutions, to a common problem. I am absolutely sure, that any fine thread nut, especially a 'high' nut, will do the trick, grade 8, 5, or even a 3, when properly torqued. I understand that one of the reasons that the factory went to rivets, as opposed to bolts, is exactly what Gavin said about the bolt failing, before the frame. Frames are designed to flex, twist, and bend a little, and that movement can loosen a bold & nut.

Now, as to the unistrut, I have used it plenty of times, on all sorts of applications, most of it donated by Nuclear Power, for various projects. None has ever failed,nor do I ever expect it to.

Goood luck Pat...

Baja

 

We should start a shop tricks/ tips thread in the bumpside forum, and put some of this stuff in there!

 

On one hand that's not a bad idea. As a matter of fact, I'm surprised Hio didn't think of it when he was gathering info for that AWESOME "Read First" sticky. He's a pretty smart cookie.
But on the other hand, that's part of the fun in watching and following along on build threads. Especially favorite ones like yours. Seeing tricks that the owner of the rig come up with and use. And also if something triggers the ol' memory banks behind my "wee beady eyes" it's fun to help out.

 

I actually have a thread like that in the Nebraska forum, got some interesting stuff in there.

 

Got with him just now, ordered it, and will pick it up on Th... after my VA appointment... Thanks again amigo, now I just have to figure out how to fit it in an ice chest to fly with...

Baja

 

It'll fit in a pet carrier?

Let me know what time you'll be headed this way. I'd hate to miss the opportunity to meet you.

 

I gotta say, all the dysfunctional families in the world would do well by learning from our Kingdom.
We got one heck of a Great Family going on here.

 

I have a 67 f100 flare side I am trying to restore. Under the dash, behind the speedometer is a square metal box with 2 wires coming out of it. No one has been able to tell me what it's for. Anyone here know?