Replacement bed carriage bolts?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 14
From: Colorado
Replacement bed carriage bolts?
I'm about to get my shortbox done and on my truck, finally!
Where does everyone get their new carriage bolts? I went to Lowes and found some really nice lookin' carriage bolts but they heads aren't quite as wide as the original ones... does this matter? Has anyone seen the nice selection at Lowes?
Where does everyone get their new carriage bolts? I went to Lowes and found some really nice lookin' carriage bolts but they heads aren't quite as wide as the original ones... does this matter? Has anyone seen the nice selection at Lowes?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
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From: Bridgeville,CA
When I rebuilt the bed on my F100 I replaced the OEM bolts with standard carrige bolts just like you are suggesting. It has been on the truck for 8 years with no problems. I don't think the head size is a big deal.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
If you are not carrying a load in your truck or do not plan on getting in an accident, carriage bolt strength does not matter much. I would just like to point out the bolts that came with the truck were stronger then the < grade 2 carriage bolts you find in home improvement stores. If it was my truck, I would find a grade 5 bolt and put a snap on cover over the bolt head if appearance was an issue. You can find grade 5 carriage bolts via catalog/internet if you want them. Last time I checked, Grainger carried a good selection though they have a min. order.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 14
From: Colorado
That's a good point rebocardo. Appearance isn't too much of an issue because I'm getting it rhynolined. Whould strength really be and issue though, with 8 bolts holding the bed down?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
I found some stainless steel carrage bolts at a marine supply house that had a head about the same as the stock ones.
And I would worry about strength - even if you do not intend to ever haul a load in your box the next owner might.
And I would worry about strength - even if you do not intend to ever haul a load in your box the next owner might.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> with 8 bolts holding the bed down
If you got rear ended, they would fail one after the other and be sheared off as the bed got pushed to the cab. I rather have the bed rip from the bolts while it is getting squished up then have the bolts shear.
Strength is an issue as in shear strength. I have easily broken 1/2" bolts from Home Depot using them in tree work where they lasted only a day. I have used the carriage bolts / 3/8 hex head on my wood flat bed too. For the wood boards only, not for attaching the supports! Lousy quick solution that does not last long.
Also, the thread on the Home Depot bolts are not a standard pitch, a regular 3/8 nut will not fit their 3/8 zinc hex head bolts. Strange.
For $20 worth of grade 8 bolts AND grade 8 washers and nuts, you can afford to do it right. NAPA usually has the alloy flat washers too.
Since you are having it rhino lined, one thing you might want to check out is an allen head bolt in grade5/8. You can get the flat round style. Just fill the top with RTV and let it dry. I think later on if you needed to remove the bolt, all you would have to do is peel away the liner and scratch out the RTV.
If you got rear ended, they would fail one after the other and be sheared off as the bed got pushed to the cab. I rather have the bed rip from the bolts while it is getting squished up then have the bolts shear.
Strength is an issue as in shear strength. I have easily broken 1/2" bolts from Home Depot using them in tree work where they lasted only a day. I have used the carriage bolts / 3/8 hex head on my wood flat bed too. For the wood boards only, not for attaching the supports! Lousy quick solution that does not last long.
Also, the thread on the Home Depot bolts are not a standard pitch, a regular 3/8 nut will not fit their 3/8 zinc hex head bolts. Strange.
For $20 worth of grade 8 bolts AND grade 8 washers and nuts, you can afford to do it right. NAPA usually has the alloy flat washers too.
Since you are having it rhino lined, one thing you might want to check out is an allen head bolt in grade5/8. You can get the flat round style. Just fill the top with RTV and let it dry. I think later on if you needed to remove the bolt, all you would have to do is peel away the liner and scratch out the RTV.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 14
From: Colorado
Good advice guys.
I went to Lowes and got 9/16" Grade 8 bumber and rear bed bolts/nuts/washers, very nice. They don't have the OEM 7/16" coarse carriage size that fits the bed. They have 3/8 and 1/2, no 7/16".
He guy suggested Ace Hardware or a local fastener shop in town.
I went to Lowes and got 9/16" Grade 8 bumber and rear bed bolts/nuts/washers, very nice. They don't have the OEM 7/16" coarse carriage size that fits the bed. They have 3/8 and 1/2, no 7/16".
He guy suggested Ace Hardware or a local fastener shop in town.
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Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 14
From: Colorado
I went to Ace Hardware and got the 7/16" coarse thread that I needed. The heads weren't nearly as wide as the OEM ones so I put a grade 8 washer on each. Turned out pretty slick, looks good too.
Thanks
Thanks