73-87 FRAME RIVETS Has any one take out the frame rivets got new one from LMC. How did you go about in stalling them on the frame and frame brackets for the suspension. Or did any one just use blots for the rivets. All views Welcome and any tricks in this area are needed. Thanks in advances
Thanks for your post. I started to do that with a few brackets but really like to try rivets. But for the rest that I want to replace, I was hope to find ways mount the rivets. I thinking about having the frame powered coated.
It is a lot of work to re-rivet the frame and brackets. That was some of the hardest work I ever did in helping a friend with a restoration project. Here is a link to the stuff he used on his customer's antique frame. I only helped with one outrigger bracket and I was laid out on the floor done. http://www.bigflatsrivet.com/index.html
use grade 8 bolts as mentioned above. guys abuse trucks in off roading situations that a normal vehicle would never see, chevy guys purposely drill out the rivets and replace them with bolts to eliminate weak spots. some have also welded their cross members solid to the frame... particularly around the steering box is a prime area for stress cracking. see link below for stiffening brackets. http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm good luck
Thanks for the help. The old 77 Heavy 1/2 fleet ( flat bed ) is a 2WD that does not see much use in off road except some dirt roads on the way to a Drag race track with a trailer behind it I do love the 8 grade bolts I even put a few on the rear bump stops plates might be a little over kill. I did not like the look of the bolts sticking out.
