On my 2003, B2300, the tailgate screws (8) holding the bed liner in place are loose. Since they were sheet metal screws and not machine threaded, they were simply screwed into the sheet metal of the tailgate.

I cannot believe that such a sloppy job was done by Ford. Anyhow, over time, the hole has enlarged and the screws have minimal bite.

Has anybody tried the Nutsert solution? Here it is in action:


Nutsert® Threaded Insert

My concern is that when Ford punched the holes the remnant sheet metal is still existing on the underside of the panel. So I'm not sure the Nutsert could obtain the proper grip on that side.

Anybody tried this? I like that it would go from sheet metal to machine threaded bolts.

 

how about just using a size bigger sheetmetal screw?

 

I considered that, but these screws have a head about the size of a quarter and use a hexagonal bit so they're not just a common sheet metal screw.

I've seen them with a machine thread in the 1/4" size at Home Depot but not as a sheet metal screw.

I may have to drill out the existing holes (8) to accommodate the 1/4" nutsert and that would solve the issue.

Need to put it on my "to-do" list.

 

those things are weird man. lol seems legit tho. if all else fails you could just use washers

 

I would just do a spray on or DIY bedliner and be done with it.

 

You could try jack nuts. They're designed to fit through a hole, be tightened down, expand, and lock themselves in place. Used them to install the cage and storage units in a cargo van once.

 

Do you need a rivet type tool to install them; like the nutsert products?

 

Nope. They come with a tool to tighten them with. They are a similar product, though.

 

Does this explain it better? There are different types.

 

Another option may be simply getting larger, more aggressively threaded screws.

 

I wouldn't suggest such an expensive or beefy fix as with the nutserts or the jack nuts on this area. Nutserts/Threadserts are GREAT for tricky areas and my truck has them scattered about from nose to tail. Even bought the gun kit. But on something like this that doesn't require much strength, it's kind of overkill.


Remove all 8 (?) of the tailgate screws to remove the factory drop-on tailgate liner. Those screws also secure the tailgate access panel. Head over to your local hardware store and pick up slightly upsized and more aggressive sheet metal screws.


I recently did a roll-in bedliner to my truck and found some stripped tailgate panel holes. At my local Ace Hardware, managed to find stainless sheet metal screws with slightly bigger diameter shank and the same diameter head as the stock ones, but accepts a phillips. It was just a couple weeks ago but I cannot remember the size or specs, but do know it was under $3.


Hard to see, but here they are painted black.

 

Do all 8 screws secure the tailgate bedliner panel? Or just 4? My post above covered a standard drop-in liner tailgate panel....I don't think I've seen what you've got.


Could you please post a picture of the odd hardware?

 

I have 8 sheet metal screws holding the tailgate liner (Mazda OEM) and a steel plate of OEM painted sheet metal to the tailgate.

The problem is that moving 60 - 80 lb bags of concrete or gravel across this bed liner and whatever else across this bedliner portion has caused the sheet metal screws to loosen.

I will post a picture tomorrow of what I am faced with at this point. I do not believe that sheet metal screws will last. There is too much friction across this bed liner as I use the truck.

I tried wrapping in electrical tape and screwing them back in but that was a joke as soon as I ran some 80lb bags of concrete across it.

 

It does. Same concept as used on sheetrock hooks. I just assumed that I needed a tool similar to a threadsert to draw them up.

I'm going to post some photos of the area in question tomorrow.

 

The inserts that I posted the pic of I know are used to mount the storage lockers and cabinets in work vans. It's not a flush mount, though. There is about a 1/32 inch of material that protrudes. BUT.... They allow for much bigger hardware to be used. Used in conjunction with some SS panhead 1/4-20's and those SS trim washers (not sure of tech name, so I can't even really find a pic), I think you'd end up with an access plate that can hold concrete, import cars, engines, and even fat chicks.

 

I like the jack nut solution. I checked with Home Depot but they didn't have them.

Here's the situation I'm faced with:











As you can see, the tailgate bed liner sees good use, and that has loosened the sheet metal screws holding it in place.

I noticed in taking this picture that I have since lost one of the screws probably with my last load of concrete bags.

So I need to resolve this before I loose more of them.

 

Check your local hardware store. Mom & Pop places, like Ace, Aubuchon's, and True Value. Home Depot is fine for big-box or common stuff. Hell, check eBayor Amazon for a box of the hardware....

 

Grainger sells them but states that the rivet type tool is needed at $79.95?

1.Thread JACK NUT® Insert onto mandrel of installation tool, then insert all the way into predrilled hole until flange is firmly against the mounting surface.

2.Fully collapse insert, then remove installation tool.

3.Pass machine screw through part to be fastened, then tighten until snug.

If I need the tool, then I think that threadserts offer more threads of holding power for the same cash.

 

Really?! Have you checked a local store? Maybe an off-brand would be available at a better price?

 

Okay. So I do need the tool. I think the threadserts offer a better solution for the same amount of money. I know that O'Reilly can order them at about $69 for the kit.

I guess that's the route I have to go.

Thanks for your input.

 

Yeah that hardware was different than what was on my old 2007 work truck with the factory drop-in. Mine used the factory screws and many of them were missing and/or stripped.


You can build a tool using an all-thread union and an allen bolt the same thread size as the nutsert. At one of my local Ace stores, they actually have the tools in plastic baggies in the same tray as the nutserts. More expensive than piecing the tool together yourself though. It's a little cumbersome to use but does the job. Be sure to pick up extra nutserts/threadserts and take note of the correct hole size for the nutsert.




The install kit is top notch and works great especially if you use it for more than one job. A little overkill for just 8 inserts in my opinion. The one I have is below and I paid about $90 locally from the area's largest Ace about an hour from home.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/afs-39303/overview/




If you can't locate any items locally, I'd have no problem picking up the stuff and shipping them your way if you've got a paypal. Provided you know the size you're after. I can also get the jack-nuts too if you wanted to go that route.

 

45 Piece Threaded Insert Riveter Kit

Nutserts are awesome, just a pain in the *** to install if you don't have the tool. I know Harbor Freight sells nutserts by themselves, and with the tool. I just forget if they are big enough for that you're wanting to do.

 

I found some aluminum ones at Grainger and I'll use a hex bolt and nut trick to see if I can draw the nutsert up tight without the tool purchase. AL to steel is not ideal but I'll use some mylar tape between the contact and hopefully that will prevent the galvanic process.

I'll post some pictures when I pick up the nutserts and "attempt" to install them.

If that doesn't go well, I'll buy a kit as you guys provided above.

 

I have a feeling nutserts won't be the answer as the sheet metal is to thin to grasp the serts so when you go to tighten the screws they will just spin. Can tack weld thin nuts under the bed liner?

 

That style of nutsert/threadsert pretty much requires use of the expensive tool. They are stronger and have a thicker wall that's harder to compress than the style I posted above though, making using the union and allen head even more cumbersome. But luckily on the tailgate, your work area is easy to work with. The style in the picture I showed have teeth and the shape of it aides in easy compression with the cheap tool.

Aluminum ones are all I use. I wouldn't dare try compressing the steel ones with the cheap tool.

The only concern I see is using 1/4" nutserts. I don't think our tailgates have the meat available to accept such a large diameter hole that will have to be drilled for 1/4" nutserts. Before ordering, I'd remove the liner and the panel to see how large of a hole you can drill is. #10 might be a better bet.

Nutserts won't grip to sheet metal?? They seem to aid in 300lb person assistence getting into mine just fine...



They're great holding my visor to the roof, rocker steps to their brackets, and they're great on my antenna mount that always wiggled loose with sheet metal screws...




Point is, they're designed for sheet metal application.