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Well like so many others after installing new door weatherstripping the drivers door did not want to line up. I decided to try and line them up by loosening the bolts on the cab side of the door hinge. Well as luck would have it I broke the middle bolt on the top hinge. After removing the door completely I ended up punching the remains of the bolt (nut included) right through. Not sure where they went by now I have a hole without any threads. Hopefully someone has a awesome easy tip to help me.
Nothing too easy about that one. Here is a pick of my cab sitting on the frame on my build.
The hole in the center of the pic is one of the two accesses. The other is from in the cab, The vent hole. My picture is obviously the passenger side but same access on both sides. To go through the vent, you would probably have to pull the E-brake out and the vent door for access. If you want the bolt and the threaded piece that fell in your truck, this is probably how you have to get it anyway. I didnt have the center one fall out but one of the others for a door hinge. I got it back in place and put the bolt in it to hold it. Then welded it in place. The other hole is going to be easier to get to with the fender off. You might need access from both spots to get that one back in. The angles look like a pain in the ***. Is your truck together or in the middle of a build?
I had the e brake assembly and vent door off this summer when I put in the new floor and cab mounts. If I can for sure get to that from there it would be my best option. The truck is assembled and I have been driving it, but as you can she she is rich with patina.
I just tried poking my head up into there and I couldnt see the, as PCMDUB called it, the rivet nut. It has a channel iron shaped piece around blocking it visually from the vent hole. Here is what it looks like.
From the other hole, it can be seen. Well it sounds like youre getting some things done on it. I put floor pans in my truck earlier this year..
Thats awesome. Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I will be able to have a helper snake their hand up from the vent while I install the new bolt.
One way to replace the nut is with a 3” length of 1/8” x 1” steel and a 5/16” nut welded on. You can POP rivet the piece of metal in place. You could also not rivet the plate in place which would allow for adjustment. Use a short stud with enough length to come through the mounting point.
I went in from the vent door as I recently had the e-brake and vent door off so I knew I could easily remove them. But I’m going to keep the rivet nuts in mind for the future.
