Exogate screw threads too large?

[jeep.rookie]

I put an exogate tire carrier on my jeep. The socket cap screws that came with the exogate (that go through the snubbers) seem to have threading that is to large. They don’t want to go in, and i’m hesitant to force them in. I also had to buy longer screws since I have to extend the snubbers, and these new screws are the same, in terms of threading, as the exogate screws.

From what I understand, the factory screws (in the snubbers) are 1/4 20. The screws that came in the exogate kit are that same size. And the screws I bought are the same size. But compared side by side, the factory screws seem to have tighter threading.Am I getting something wrong here?

in the pics, the factory screw is on the far right, exogate screw is in the middle, and new screw is on the left.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

They include different thread pitches. I had the same issue until I compared all the cap head screw and realized they are all different. Lay them all out and check.

 

[nk24]

If I remember correctly, the Exogate comes with two different sizes for those socket cap bolts, and some of them are metric. There may be a difference between the 97-02 and 03-06 tailgates.

I have a bunch of leftover hardware from the Exogate because there were two different sizes for most of the bolts and screws.

 

[jeep.rookie]

I just laid them all out and none of them match mine. I’m pretty sure the bolts are 1/4” - 20. I ordered that exact same size because I need bolts that are about 4” long, and the pitch just doesn’t match up.

 

[jeep.rookie]

So my problem isn’t with the exogate bolts, even though none of them seem to match in pitch, as the exogate bolts aren’t long enough.

My issue is that the new bolts that I bought, which are 1/4” - 20, definitely don’t match the pitch of the stock bolts, and I have no clue why.

 

[nk24]

Are you certain that the stock bolts aren't metric?

 

[jeep.rookie]

No I’m not. And that could certainly be the issue. When I searched online all I could find was that the stock bolts were 1/4” - 20, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. I can’t think of any other explanation for it. I’ll try home depot and see if they have something that will work.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Are you certain that the stock bolts aren't metric?

Almost positive the stock bolts are metric.

 

[jeep.rookie]

Almost positive the stock bolts are metric.

Ok. That would definitely be the problem then. Do you happen to know the specific sizing for them?

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Ok. That would definitely be the problem then. Do you happen to know the specific sizing for them?

When I get home in an hour or so I can give you the metric size from mine.

 

[jeep.rookie]

When I get home in an hour or so I can give you the metric size from mine.

Awesome! That would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

If your going to be working on/up-grading your Jeep components it would pay to get your hands on a screw/bolt gage, and an SAE and Metric thread gage set. One will help you determine the bolt diameter either SAE or Metric and the other will tell you what the thread pitch is, makes buying new bolt and fasteners much easier. You can get them at any bolt supply house, not sure if Home Depot/Lowes has them or not. I've had mine since I started wrenching on HD's when I was a kid.

 

[jeep.rookie]

If your going to be working on/up-grading your Jeep components it would pay to get your hands on a screw/bolt gage, and an SAE and Metric thread gage set. One will help you determine the bolt diameter either SAE or Metric and the other will tell you what the thread pitch is, makes buying new bolt and fasteners much easier. You can get them at any bolt supply house, not sure if Home Depot/Lowes has them or not. I've had mine since I started wrenching on HD's when I was a kid.

Good idea. I’ll definitely grab one of those.

I actually just went to home depot and used their gauge to figure out that the stock bolt in the snubbers is, in fact, metric, and it is an M6-1.0. The longest that home depot had was 100mm (about 4”). I got a few of those, as they might be just long enough to work

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Good idea. I’ll definitely grab one of those.

I actually just went to home depot and used their gauge to figure out that the stock bolt in the snubbers is, in fact, metric, and it is an M6-1.0. The longest that home depot had was 100mm (about 4”). I got a few of those, as they might be just long enough to work

Was just about to reply, that’s what I got too.

 

[mrblaine]

Almost positive the stock bolts are metric.

They are both depending on year.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Given your knowledge of fasteners, is there a reason our jeeps are mixed?

 

[mrblaine]

Given your knowledge of fasteners, is there a reason our jeeps are mixed?

Knowledge of fasteners doesn't give me much more insight as to why they do things at the manufacturing level than anyone else.

I also don't really care that much about the why as long as I have a tool to manipulate them and a source when needed. In this case, 6mm and 1/4" are roughly the same size so it is possible they have a supplier that gave them a better price on the metric screw.

There are a few though that do give me pause to wonder at times. Why is the front bumper still using 1/2-13 when the rear started using M12 x 1.75 in late 97? Why did they change the belly skid to M12 and leave the front bumper still at 1/2-13? Why are all the door and exterior hinge screws 5/16-18 and the screws that hold the streamer bars to the windshield frame are metric? But then the screws that go into the roll bar are SAE? Why are there 3 metric bolts for each front seat and one SAE?

 

[dla]

A must have...

 

[Goatman]

My 06 has metric for the snubbers. I think alot has to do with where that specific component was made. Other than the Philippines (which is a part of the US territories) the rest of the world has been metric for decades. Yup. Only the US still uses the old system.