• Welcome to ClassicBroncos! - You are currently viewing the forums as a GUEST. To take advantage of all the site features, please take a moment to register. It's fast, simple and absolutely free. So please join our community today!
    If you have problems registering or can't log into your account, please contact Admin.

Correct bolt for spare tire carrier?

mdainsd

Contributor
Full Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2025
Messages
263
Loc.
San Diego
What bolts are supposed to be used here? Also, what about some PPF between the brackets and the body?
 
OP
OP
mdainsd

mdainsd

Contributor
Full Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2025
Messages
263
Loc.
San Diego
Yeah, my body and paint is complete and it is flawless. I cant imagine bolting them together paint to paint. Even the undersides and insides, LOL.
IF.jpg
 

jamesroney

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 11, 2007
Messages
2,596
Loc.
Fremont, CA
378242-S: 5/16-18 X 1-1/4, tooth washer 13/16 OD

View attachment 962774
Hey Geoff, are you 100% sure about this one?

I think that "this" 378242-S is correct for the early years, but I do think that the Bronco received the later style smooth Sems dog point hex washer screws (at least by 1973.)

As is typical with Ford, and with the MPC...superceded parts with the same form, fit and function will often be deployed as a running change and keep the same part number at the same rev. So at one point in time, (like 1969) you might have a serrated fastener, but in later years...a smooth one. We see it a lot with fasteners on Mustangs, and so I had to go check my tire carrier from my Boxwood Bronco. Sure enough, it uses a Hex Washer SEMS with leadpoint, but it does not have the conical tooth washer.

I believe it is the same part number, but a visually different part. I think this is why AMK sometimes gets it "wrong." The ONLY way to know is to look at period correct examples from similar builds in similar plants.

As I recall, the tire carrier hinges were installed prior to paint. So the "seam sealer" is the primer and paint. Bolt heads are painted body color, and under-surfaces end up rusty. It's always disappointing to see really nice Bronco builds with unpainted fasteners, or fasteners that get painted, and then "wrenched on" after a coat of color, and 3 coats of clear! Those idiotic philips head fender screws come to mind...Or my favorite, the (1) serrated ground screw on the instrument cluster...

Nobody is out there building Concourse correct Broncos. But someone is going to judge a Bronco to Thoroghbred standard someday, and I don't want everybody "feeding their cat from a saucer."

James.
 

Oldtimer

Contributor
Jr. Member with Sr. moments
Joined
Feb 4, 2005
Messages
1,795
Loc.
Sunnyvale, CA
I am not 100% on anything (and I can find plenty who will attest to this).
The only constant is 5/16-18, since they all need to bolt to the same backing plate.

I grabbed 1 of 3 examples from AMK, and they admit the inconsistency.

1780935677442.png


I also hate rust, which is why I used stainless bolts. When the paint flakes off it does not rust.

One would need access to dated procurement drawings to defend period correctness.

1780936058500.png


1780936079053.png
 

nvrstuk

Contributor
Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
Messages
10,596
Loc.
PNW
Hey Geoff, are you 100% sure about this one?

I think that "this" 378242-S is correct for the early years, but I do think that the Bronco received the later style smooth Sems dog point hex washer screws (at least by 1973.)

As is typical with Ford, and with the MPC...superceded parts with the same form, fit and function will often be deployed as a running change and keep the same part number at the same rev. So at one point in time, (like 1969) you might have a serrated fastener, but in later years...a smooth one. We see it a lot with fasteners on Mustangs, and so I had to go check my tire carrier from my Boxwood Bronco. Sure enough, it uses a Hex Washer SEMS with leadpoint, but it does not have the conical tooth washer.

I believe it is the same part number, but a visually different part. I think this is why AMK sometimes gets it "wrong." The ONLY way to know is to look at period correct examples from similar builds in similar plants.

As I recall, the tire carrier hinges were installed prior to paint. So the "seam sealer" is the primer and paint. Bolt heads are painted body color, and under-surfaces end up rusty. It's always disappointing to see really nice Bronco builds with unpainted fasteners, or fasteners that get painted, and then "wrenched on" after a coat of color, and 3 coats of clear! Those idiotic philips head fender screws come to mind...Or my favorite, the (1) serrated ground screw on the instrument cluster...

Nobody is out there building Concourse correct Broncos. But someone is going to judge a Bronco to Thoroghbred standard someday, and I don't want everybody "feeding their cat from a saucer."

James.
That's why my bumper sticker is so important James! lol
 

Attachments

  • 20260608_125819.jpg
    20260608_125819.jpg
    253.9 KB · Views: 72

jamesroney

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 11, 2007
Messages
2,596
Loc.
Fremont, CA
That's why my bumper sticker is so important James! lol
So I looked at the pic for a full minute, and I wondered what does the license plate “nvr stk” have to do with anything?

Then there were several minutes of “wtf is he saying?” And the requisite interpretation of the license plate frame, and how does that all fit?
Then I realized that “nvr stk” might mean “never stock” and that would kind of make sense, because you wouldn’t use a stock fastener. But I kinda remembered that your avatar is “never stuck” which kinda matches your license plate, but then it’s nonsense as pertaining to a stock fastener. Then somewhere in that convoluted mental gymnastic ordeal, I realized that a “bumper sticker” is not a “license plate” and the world made much more sense.

I surely do hate getting old…
 

nvrstuk

Contributor
Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
Messages
10,596
Loc.
PNW
LMF(freakin)AO because I am so 100% standing by your side! LOL

We debated btw "NOTSTK" (not stock) & "NVRSTK" (never stuck) for months... (only 6 letters available back then.

Both fit cause there's only a half dozen stock parts left on my rig but "nvrstk" was more fun because I wheel a LOT & get stuck all the time. My saying is if you're "nvrstk" you aren't wheeling... so... but the license plate has a story now too.

My wife did bring up the fact that the license frame (my other lover is my wife) that she bought me 35yrs ago is waaaaay to close to the "cause pretty ain't enough"... ooops!
 
Last edited:
Top