Rusty skid plate bolts

[Johnfromphilly]

Any local hardware store. Just take one in the store and get a matching thread. Get help from a person who works the floor or lay the threads in each other to make sure they are identical. If you need to drive your Jeep there, put 5 in the skid and you’ll be fine. Buy stainless to avoid future rust as much as possible.

Sorry to overthink this but would they have the conical base? That seems to be a pretty specific item I couldn’t find at HD or Lowe’s which are my hardware options.

I have another vehicle so I am good.

I could always put these in and then order the specific ones online and swap them out later

 

[JMT]

Sorry to overthink this but would they have the conical base? That seems to be a pretty specific item I couldn’t find at HD or Lowe’s which are my hardware options.

I have another vehicle so I am good.

I could always put these in and then order the specific ones online and swap them out later

Yes, you want the conical.

https://www.shop.blackmagicbrakes.c...13-Nutsert-for-87-02-Jeep-YJ-TJ-03-NSK-03.htm

 

[never monday]

Sorry to overthink this but would they have the conical base? That seems to be a pretty specific item I couldn’t find at HD or Lowe’s which are my hardware options.

I have another vehicle so I am good.

I could always put these in and then order the specific ones online and swap them out later

Put those in with antiseeze and be done. In a couple years pull them one at a time and recoat

 

[JMT]

You should be fine like @never monday said, but you seem to be stressing about it, so the link to new bolts and nutserts above. If it were me I’d anti-seize them and install at 75-80% torque and call it a day.

 

[Johnfromphilly]

Thanks for the input. I was more concerned about putting in non conical bolts. I will install the slightly rusted bolts with anti seize and moving on.
Thanks again! I plan on posting a thread with the whole process when I am done as it ended up being a bigger project than expected. My frame shows no rust but there was a bunch in the skid plate- frame connection area. It is a good word of warning to do this project even if it looks fine.

It is a bad design in my opinion. You have a recessed area on the skid plate just waiting for water to get in there and just sit.

 

[Superjay5]

Thanks for the input. I was more concerned about putting in non conical bolts. I will install the slightly rusted bolts with anti seize and moving on.
Thanks again! I plan on posting a thread with the whole process when I am done as it ended up being a bigger project than expected. My frame shows no rust but there was a bunch in the skid plate- frame connection area. It is a good word of warning to do this project even if it looks fine.
View attachment 238294View attachment 238295
It is a bad design in my opinion. You have a recessed area on the skid plate just waiting for water to get in there and just sit.

I put some motor oil between the frame and skid plate to help prevent rust forming between those surfaces. Anytime you sandwich metal like that it’s a breeding ground for rust

 

[Johnfromphilly]

I put some motor oil between the frame and skid plate to help prevent rust forming between those surfaces. Anytime you sandwich metal like that it’s a breeding ground for rust

I am Painting both surfaces with frame paint. I will think about adding some oil.

 

[zebra12]

Add a washer between the skid and the frame (as qslim stated on page 1).

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Add a washer between the skid and the frame (as qslim stated on page 1).

With my skids on my 05 and 06 I had to add about three washers before I actually got separation between frame and skid due to the recessed area around the bolt hole. I completely treated my frame to prevent future rust and did not want that skid touching it.

 

[Johnfromphilly]

Thank you to all forum members who helped with this.
I posted a thread of the process and the finished product here:


Thread 'Check your skid plate- it is probably rusty'
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/check-your-skid-plate-it-is-probably-rusty.48765/

 

[MountaineerTom]

I know you’re done with it, but if you really want to get the blue loctite off, you could probably melt it off with a heat gun or lighter.

 

[Johnfromphilly]

I know you’re done with it, but if you really want to get the blue loctite off, you could probably melt it off with a heat gun or lighter.

I just ignored it and added anti seize.