I may be falling into a free front skid plate However, it will just be the plate. I've tried searching, but can't seem to find out what I need as far as bolts go. I need to know how many, what kind, and what size. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

bump

 

factory uses screws
I changed mine out for 1/2 inch bolts

 

well theres 2 holes in your front cross member, which is gonna be kinda difficult, but there two access holes, one on each side, so u han put in two bolts, 2 washers, 2 nuts and 2 lock washers. i used stainless cause it wont rust. on the front u have a total of 4 holes, 2 on each frame rail. mine came with factory push pins. now, i BELIEVE the forward hole is threaded from the factory. and theres no way to get to the inside of the rail, atleast on my truck. so i used self tapping stail less screws 2 on each side.

 

The factory fasteners are "Body Bolts"
Just goto a hardware or auto parts place and look for
Ford Body bolts. Its a self tapping bolt/screw about 1.25" long and 3/8 or so diameter.

 

sorry, very old thread

my skidplate fell off about 6 months ago, and i have had a hell of a time getting it back on. i tried factory size screws, and they wouldnt hold because the holes rusted out or something, so then i drilled them out, and tried tapping them, but i have a crappy tap and die set, so i couldnt get anything done there either. do you have any recomendations? sorry about the run-on

 

I'd just get some slightly larger diameter self-taping bolts and put them in. Thats all I did when I put my skid plate on, over a year and it's still tight as the day it went on.

 

i didnt know they made self tapping bolts.....ill look into it, just get them at a hardware store? or autozone? thanks a bunch bro!

 

okay guys....i went to lowes tonight and got some .5"x1.5" screw-bolts....pics below....i drilled the holes out to 7/16" with my unibit and bolted them in with some blue threadlocker. one bolt held really well, two held good, and the last held only okay.....we will see how they work, im just excited to have the plate back on.

ps, any ideas on how to make them hold into the frame better? there is no way to put a nut on the back side.

 

Alot of people used bolts and nuts.. maybe drop the bold through from the top
and put the nut on the skidplate side?

 

how do i hold on the the head of the bolt if its inside the frame?

 

Drop it :) Thats how the bolts from my rock sliders got on my frame...
Those arent self tapping bolts though.. those are like wood bolts...

Rand

 

yeah, i figured that out.....lol

but they tapped their way in and they are holding....

but if i drop in bolts from the top, how do i hold on to the bolt while i tighten the nut??? is there a special bolt or washer i can use?

 

I dropped in bolts from a larger hole further up the frame rail
tied a small string on the open end of the bolt and tied that to a piece of wire I fished up from the hole I drilled for the 1/2 inch bolts
two of the bolts had drop in 'flanges' from the front receiver hitch I also put on
the other two I used arched fender locking washers
as you tighten the bolt the arch comes out of the washer and acts to lock on the nut
just took some time (actually I was a bit practiced as TBarCYa already helped me put on another receiver hitch I took off)
it can be done using existing holes up the frame - just be patient and take your time
1/2 inch bolts are much better than any self tapping screws you put in
you could use an external tooth lock washer and that will also stop the bolt head from spinning - use that in conjunction with a flat fender washer
and only use SS nuts & bolts - no zinc coated crap

 

another idea, bit easier, use a pair of vice grips to hold the bolt while using an open end box wrench to tighten it.

 

yeah, i thought of that today, after i made the post. when i get some time, im going to install it like that....thanks for the help all you guys!!!!!