I installed the Brand New Bolt from Sac Ford that mount my hood to the hinges on the cab.

The threads are obviously fine, and they are already getting stripped after having to remove them one time.

Has anyone come up with a better mousetrap for these sucky original style bolts? Aside from putting in the tilt hood?

 

Are these the oversized bolts or standard size? First they should be installed just slightly above finger tight, which should not cause stripping. Don't overtighten. That's why they have the safety wire holes in them, the wire keeps the bolts from backing out, not the tightening. The wavy washers keep the hood from rattling and allow a small amount of twist room when the hood is opened and closed.

 

These are the standard Bolts not the oversize ones. Do you think the oversize would work better? Would I have to weld in new nuts to the hood?

Also if I had to weld in nuts, would I be able to pick some bolts up from the hardware store and use those?

 

The oversized ones are just slightly oversized and hardened to repair damaged threads in the nuts caused by overtightening. You can't use standard bolts from the HW store, the correct special bolts have a smooth shank that is a larger size than the threaded portion. The 53-55 hood hinges use a smaller shank bolt than the 56 hinges. The hinges are interchangable as long as you use the right diameter bolts. There should be a thin wavy washer placed between the bolt head and the hinge. Once more, only snug the bolts and put a wire thru the holes in the heads in a figure 8 to keep the bolts from backing out.