Seat Riser Bolts

[Randy516]

Hi Guys,
Looking for a little feedback. I purchased and received this morning a 1.5" Seat Riser Kit from Supreme Suspensions (SS), advertised to be constructed from T6 Aluminum Billet and secured with Metric Grade 8 (equivalent). What I got was indeed T6 but unfortunately I received 6 Metric 8.8's and 2 SAE 7/16-20 Grade 5 bolts. I called Tech Support to inquire. A young fellow there said Gee, an 8.8 was the equivalent of SAE Grade 5. Had to explain to him that I disagreed due to the fact I have 42+ years experience as a civil engineer and have a fair knowledge of bolt specifications. After a polite discussion and having him Google my explanations, he agreed that SS has erred in their advertisements thinking 8.8 meant Grade 8. But to no avail were they going to reimburse or send me the correct bolts. Of course, I am the only one ever to point this out. LOL. Cured me right away from purchasing anything more from them.

My local Fastenal dealer had the 7/16" on inventory and can order the smaller metrics in. It is my understanding the factory bolts for this are Grade 8 or 10.9 for a 2003 Sahara. I cannot check this as I am currently in Montana and my TJ is in a garage in Arizona. Plan on installing the risers when I get there.

My question is this - Is the single larger bolt indeed an SAE 7/16" with the other 3 being Metric? It doesn't stand to reason Jeep/Chrysler would do such an insane thing but I have found I do have some SAE factory bolts though the majority are Metric.

I now know that I should have purchased the Buchanan's. They advertise all 8 installation bolts as being Grade 8/10.9 Metric and this is why the 7/16" bothers me. I just don't want to take the time to do a credit card return, ship back for a full refund, then order the Buchanan's. Easier just to buy the correct bolts and be done with it.

What say you, o' wise ones?

 

[Randy516]

OOP's. The Tech Support said 8.8's were the SAE Equivalent of Grade 8's, not what I wrote. Sorry about that.

 

[Davidtj]

Hi Guys,
Looking for a little feedback. I purchased and received this morning a 1.5" Seat Riser Kit from Supreme Suspensions (SS), advertised to be constructed from T6 Aluminum Billet and secured with Metric Grade 8 (equivalent). What I got was indeed T6 but unfortunately I received 6 Metric 8.8's and 2 SAE 7/16-20 Grade 5 bolts. I called Tech Support to inquire. A young fellow there said Gee, an 8.8 was the equivalent of SAE Grade 5. Had to explain to him that I disagreed due to the fact I have 42+ years experience as a civil engineer and have a fair knowledge of bolt specifications. After a polite discussion and having him Google my explanations, he agreed that SS has erred in their advertisements thinking 8.8 meant Grade 8. But to no avail were they going to reimburse or send me the correct bolts. Of course, I am the only one ever to point this out. LOL. Cured me right away from purchasing anything more from them.

My local Fastenal dealer had the 7/16" on inventory and can order the smaller metrics in. It is my understanding the factory bolts for this are Grade 8 or 10.9 for a 2003 Sahara. I cannot check this as I am currently in Montana and my TJ is in a garage in Arizona. Plan on installing the risers when I get there.

My question is this - Is the single larger bolt indeed an SAE 7/16" with the other 3 being Metric? It doesn't stand to reason Jeep/Chrysler would do such an insane thing but I have found I do have some SAE factory bolts though the majority are Metric.

I now know that I should have purchased the Buchanan's. They advertise all 8 installation bolts as being Grade 8/10.9 Metric and this is why the 7/16" bothers me. I just don't want to take the time to do a credit card return, ship back for a full refund, then order the Buchanan's. Easier just to buy the correct bolts and be done with it.

What say you, o' wise ones?

On my 01 the larger bolt was 7/16

 

[JMT]

The fourth bolt is an anchor for the seatbelt and that is indeed why it is a different size. I apologize for not knowing the size off hand. Good catch with SS. I got my 1.25" risers from Fat Boys Garage.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The single larger size bolt is a 7/16x20 and should either be a Grade 8. Item 18 below.
The other three bolts are metric M8x1.25 and should be a metric 10.9 in terms of strength. Item 19 below.

This is right out of the parts book. The quantity for the 7/16 listed is off, two of item 18 are needed.

 

[Randy516]

The single larger size bolt is a 7/16x20 and should either be a Grade 8. Item 18 below.
The other three bolts are metric M8x1.25 and should be a metric 10.9 in terms of strength. Item 19 below.

This is right out of the parts book. The quantity for the 7/16 listed is off, two of item 18 are needed.

View attachment 17291

Thanks, Jerry. I knew someone of your knowledge could help me out. I do not have a parts book nor did I think about looking up the information online. Actually was being lazy by polling this website. I did order the 6 M8x1.25's in 10.9 this morning when I discovered SS's error and after I had spoken to Tech Support. The M8's will be arriving in a week and I will pick up the 7/16" Grade 8's on that order also.

I just wanted to confirm the 7/16 was truly the size. I might email SS and copy the information you provided (excluding your name of course). They did agree their advertisements outside their website and in their installation instructions are fraudulent and the erred information will be corrected ASAP.

Thanks again to all whom responded.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

7/16-20 is indeed the fractional size of the .437-20 size listed in the parts book.

 

[Randy516]

7/16-20 is indeed the fractional size of the .437-20 size listed in the parts book.

Yes and no, Jerry. 7/16-20 will thread into an equivalent metric nut, but there is a noticeable play and cannot be utilized as a strength tightner. The play is probably less than a thousandth but is not advisable for use. We actually experimented with this notion at Fastenal's this morning and immediately canceled the idea.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Yes and no, Jerry. 7/16-20 will thread into an equivalent metric nut, but there is a noticeable play and cannot be utilized as a strength tightner. The play is probably less than a thousandth but is not advisable for use. We actually experimented with this notion at Fastenal's this morning and immediately canceled the idea.

The .437-20 bolt size given is not a metric size, it is an SAE 7/16 with a 20 thread pitch. Divide 7 by 16 and see what you get.

Someone isn't understanding there are two different sizes of bolts used to hold the seat base to the floor. The 3 smaller bolts are 8mm metric and the single larger bolt is 7/16 SAE.

Yes, our TJs are full of a mix of both SAE and metric fasteners.

 

[Randy516]

The .437-20 bolt size given is not a metric size, it is an SAE 7/16 with a 20 thread pitch. Divide 7 by 16 and see what you get.

Someone isn't understanding there are two different sizes of bolts used to hold the seat base to the floor. The 3 smaller bolts are 8mm metric and the single larger bolt is 7/16 SAE.

Yes, our TJs are full of a mix of both SAE and metric fasteners.

I fully understand mathematics and SAE v. Metric. This is semantics here. There is no exact crossover from 7/16 to 12mmx1.75mm. I am well aware there are 2 different sizes of bolts for securement and that wasn't the question in the first place. I just wanted to make sure the 7/16 bolt I received was the correct size and wanted to confirm Grade 8 being the factory spec. Supreme Suspensions sent G5/8.8 for the smaller and a Grade 5 SAE for the seatbelt anchor bolt. However, SS advertises they use Grade 8 hardware when in actuality they don't. That's false advertising in my world.

You answered my questions perfectly by quoting the factory specs from the parts manual. Thank you. Let's move on and put this topic to rest.