Looking for the bolts that mount front suspension/engine crossmember to frame

[iostorm]

I can not seem to locate the correct bolts and nuts for remounting this front cross member, does anyone sell them as a kit?

Thanks,

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by iostorm

I can not seem to locate the correct bolts and nuts for remounting this front cross member, does anyone sell them as a kit?

Thanks,

I don't think there are any kits but any major hardware store should have grade 8 bolts, nuts, washers, and lock washers. I think they are 7/16 -14 x 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" long. I will have to check for sure when I go out to the shop....

LockDoc

[Dano4163]

I'm rebuilding a 1969 GMC. I've been buying all of my bolts at either Lowes or Home Depot, and a few at Ace.

[michael bustamante]

USE THE GRADE 8!! very important! the grade 5`s will strip and shear off

[iostorm]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I don't think there are any kits but any major hardware store should have grade 8 bolts, nuts, washers, and lock washers. I think they are 7/16 -14 x 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" long. I will have to check for sure when I go out to the shop....

LockDoc

Thank you, I appreciate the help.

[gable74]

Originally Posted by Dano4163

I'm rebuilding a 1969 GMC. I've been buying all of my bolts at either Lowes or Home Depot, and a few at Ace.

You will pay more but Ace Hardware has everything. Other options are Fastenal, Grainger, or RobNet.

[iostorm]

Thanks everyone, do you have a size/thread and qty?

[hugger6933]

John Deere has grade 8 bolts and hardware. I know this cause they are closer to me than the other stores. You know I'm in a small farming town so there are times when I need to stop at the John Deere place. I don't have any of those other places Except for ACE and I try to not use them. Not because of ACE just the people in it

[DBK81]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

John Deere has grade 8 bolts and hardware. I know this cause they are closer to me than the other stores. You know I'm in a small farming town so there are times when I need to stop at the John Deere place. I don't have any of those other places Except for ACE and I try to not use them. Not because of ACE just the people in it

Yup, buy all my lag bolts from JD, usually more reasonably priced too.

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by michael bustamante

USE THE GRADE 8!! very important! the grade 5`s will strip and shear off

That's not true, i used grade 5 on mine and they worked fine. It's the grade 2 that strip out

use this chart to help you figure out what bolt you are using

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by kehstr

That's not true, i used grade 5 on mine and they worked fine. It's the grade 2 that strip out

use this chart to help you figure out what bolt you are using
Attachment 1486895

I wouldn't use anything but Grade 8 for the front cross member. They are not much more $ wise and they hold your entire front chassis components together. Not worth taking a chance for me......

LockDoc

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by iostorm

Thanks everyone, do you have a size/thread and qty?

They are 7/16-14 x 1 1/2" and there are 12 of them. I think 2 of them on each side screw into weld nuts in the cross member.

LockDoc

[CG]

I agree on going to ACE. I was shopping for bolts and misc hardware, I went to Lowes ... so so selection, went to Home Depot, it was Ok. Someone told me to go to ACE, bam, holy cow do they have a lot of great stuff.

[waco]

I just finished bolting the cross members into my 72 GMC 4x4 frame. You will find that the holes are slightly smaller than 7/16". I would suggest that you bolt them all in with 3/8" to line up all of the mounting holes first. Then remove 1 bolt at a time & drill it out to a 7/16" so that everything will like up if you ever need to remove it in the future.
Andy

[special-K]

I get a lot of my bolts at TSC by the pound. Best way to stock up the bins. I wouldn't go softer than grade 8. With the poor quality we are forced to accept from overseas there's a good chance this hardware could fall short of standards. I'd hope a grade 8 would at least come in as harder than a proper grade 5. Grade 5 isn't worth risking. I use that for ungraded needs and grade 8 for anywhere strength really matters.

[racerface]

Once you find out the right size, take a little drive over to Wellington Hardware. They have a great selection of Grade 8 and 10 bolts. I agree with Special-K, I wouldn't run anything less than a Grade 8.

[iostorm]

Originally Posted by racerface

Once you find out the right size, take a little drive over to Wellington Hardware. They have a great selection of Grade 8 and 10 bolts. I agree with Special-K, I wouldn't run anything less than a Grade 8.

Thanks racer, I went to Rural King by Grafton and got the suggested 7/16" x 1-1/2" bolts and hardware, but now looking at the assembly, and the bottom 6 bolt holes that secure to the bottom of the frame to the crossmember are definitely larger then 7/16,". The sides which need 4 bolts each are indeed 7/16" but test fitting it it seems that the 1-1/2" length is too long as well. Its more than likely an 1-1/4" or 1" max, after all you are only sandwiching to thin pieces of frame and need enough to pass through the nut, any additional is too long.

I will pick up the larger diameter bolts for the bottom and shorter 7/16' bolts for the sides.

The good thing about RK is its by the pound, so it is very inexpensive for the hardware.