Rivnuts for hardtop

[MonsterBIlly]

Has anyone here used a rivnut set for the hardtop?
If so, do you have any dislikes?
Does it create a gap between the top and body?
If there is a small gap, does the gasket seal it or maybe just double up the gasket!
Anybody here have pics?

 

[nickgp]

They won’t cause an issue w a gap. However, you need to be “ dead nuts” on alignment! You will loose adjustability.

 

[ransil]

I did weld nuts on piece of flat bar.

 

[charlie6976]

I suggest trial installation (Rivnut) on a scrap piece of metal (same as Bronco area). You'll see first hand what you have. And, I think you might find Rivnuts for a flush mount.

 

[charlie6976]

I did weld nuts on piece of flat bar.

You could do Revnuts on a piece of flat bar. Maybe not what you're after.;D

 

[phred]

I’ve used rivnuts on many trucks. Even on the windshield frame. Never had issues with alignment on any of them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Steve83]

The main issue is the distribution of the forces onto the thin sheet metal. Originally, there were large washers that bore against ~1/2 sq.in. each; and apparently, that's enough (if all the bolts & washers are used). But if you reduce that area to the tiny lip of a rivnut, and then go wheeling with the top on, you'll quickly stretch the sheet metal to the point of cracking and releasing the rivnuts like a zipper. Welding nuts to a long plate is MUCH stronger, and the plate can either be captive (so it slides when the bolts are loose, for alignment) or glued (just so it doesn't fall off when the last bolt is removed - not such that it can't be removed if necessary; maybe just with some foam tape at dips between the nuts).

 

[AZ73]

I welded nuts to steel bar that was drilled and tapped to match the holes in the quarter, and used panel bonding adhesive to glue the bar to the underside.

 

[pbwcr]

10-4 the nuts welded to the steel bar was the oem solution. The distribution of the force by the bar minimizes the bed rail distortion.

 

[904Bronco]

The main issue is the distribution of the forces onto the thin sheet metal. Originally, there were large washers that bore against ~1/2 sq.in. each; and apparently, that's enough (if all the bolts & washers are used). But if you reduce that area to the tiny lip of a rivnut, and then go wheeling with the top on, you'll quickly stretch the sheet metal to the point of cracking and releasing the rivnuts like a zipper. Welding nuts to a long plate is MUCH stronger, and the plate can either be captive (so it slides when the bolts are loose, for alignment) or glued (just so it doesn't fall off when the last bolt is removed - not such that it can't be removed if necessary; maybe just with some foam tape at dips between the nuts).

This one ^^^^

I made a flat bar with weld nuts for my 71.

On my 67 I bought a product called Steve's Nut's in the For Sale section. Similar to what I made, but already done. He also provided the same for the windshield/top bolts.

 

[JohnT]

I made I’m with flat bar , I actually started out with a bar thick enough that I tap it 5/16 thread for bolts for the top, then I countersink taper head Allen bolts to hold it to the body when I removed the top. Worked out great .

 

[jckkys]

I used rivnuts with no problem. I also ran with just 2 of the original bolts on each side for about 10 yrs. The rear quarters bowed out at the top and broke the rear corner braces. This caused no problem at the rail top. It was cured by tying the rail to the role bar. The little lip on the top of he rivnuts is too thin to interfere with the rubber seal. It's easy to anticipate problems that never occur.

 

[AZ73]

Good price on Rivnut tool at woot today. About $11 cheaper than Amazon if interested.

https://sellout.woot.com/offers/rzx-13-rivet-nut-hand-riveter?ref=w_cnt_wp_0_1

 

[Rustytruck]

riv nuts are great until any corrosion gets in the way then they get stuck on the bolt and just spin. the best rivnuts I ever used were Chrysler products where they go into pre punched hex holes they don't spin. nice stuff but no way to punch the hex holes.