Mopar Side-Step Threaded Sleeves/Inserts

[SSTJ]

Hi all,

Recently bought some used, original Mopar side-steps for my '97 TJ (image attached). They did not come with hardware, and although I can find some replacement bolts, I cannot find any of the threaded sleeve inserts that used to come with these steps. Mopar tells me that they no longer make them, so I'm stuck.

Anyone know where I can find some of these threaded sleeve inserts, or have any ideas of what to do instead? I do have the part numbers from Mopar, if that's helpful.

Pics attached.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Just get some nutserts / rivnuts to match your bolts and install them in the frame.

 

[ranwilrw]

Hi all,

Recently bought some used, original Mopar side-steps for my '97 TJ (image attached). They did not come with hardware, and although I can find some replacement bolts, I cannot find any of the threaded sleeve inserts that used to come with these steps. Mopar tells me that they no longer make them, so I'm stuck.

Anyone know where I can find some of these threaded sleeve inserts, or have any ideas of what to do instead? I do have the part numbers from Mopar, if that's helpful.

Pics attached.

View attachment 118525

View attachment 118526

Is that the same thing as a nutsert?

 

[SSTJ]

So, I'm reading elsewhere that the frame hole is 13.5mm or 17/32". So I can get rivet nuts of that size.

But this is my first time using rivet nuts, and it looks like they are designed to "grip" over a certain wall thickness. I read on another thread that this Jeep frame beam is about 0.15" thick.

Sound right?

 

[MountaineerTom]

You can get them on amazon too.

I remember coming across a site that gave details of what size holes they fit but I don’t recall the site right now. I‘m sure there are many that tell that info.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Also, on the black magic brakes website, there are instructions on how to make your own nutsert setting tool. I used them and it works perfectly. I had to replace a nutsert for my skid plate.

Be sure to follow the directions about using grade 8 hardware. My first attempt was at about 2:00am and I just used what I had, which was grade 5, and it wasn’t strong enough. Lesson learned. : )

 

[astjp2]

https://www.mcmaster.com/rivnuts
The tool is not cheap but we used them a lot at my last job.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I bought this kit a couple years ago when I installed rubicon rockers on my LJ. It works well. I did break part of the end of it. It was my own fault for using more pressure than I needed. I contacted them and they sent me an entire new kit and told me to keep the original. I bought some other random size nutserts and mandrels from Amazon too.

If you've only got 1 or 2 nutserts you plan on setting, maybe the price of the tool isn't worth it. After doing 1 skid plate nutsert with the home-made tool, I figured the tool would be worth it for the 20-25 I'd be setting for the rockers.

It was really easy to use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073VK3B7S/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[T Crawford]

Amazon had a cheaper version a while back and it worked for me for stuff like this