cj737 wrote:The vibration those endure is their Achilles' heel. Having drilled a hole and passed a bolt through, the bolt hole will become enlarged and rattle about before too long as well.
A trick I've used is to install a rivet nut into the fender, then bolt into it (reversing the direction of the bolt). The rivet nut flares around the hole and cinches the fender within the flares. This isolates the stress to within the rivet nut, and not onto the fender. Another option would be to use a flanged nut on the underside of the fender, tack weld it to the fender, then bolt into it. That way the bolt threads aren't grinding against the fender.
And you'll never get all the galvanizing off of a factory treated part that is thin gauge. It seems to impregnate that material for all time. But good on you for grinding it well first!
have not had a problem with hole enlarging. our other pickups have had 14 years of abuse without issue.
typically they flog out because bolts are loose. quite often either put on loose or junk bolts.
that could be a problem with the above as i was in a hurry and grabbed whatever bolts off the shelf. i actually stripped one. so i'm guessing they might be chienseism steel.
rivnuts are way cool. seen some neat work for putting snorkels on using them. but the tools required cost an arm and leg, pus one of your nuts. ouch!
welding the nut on is a nice idea.
