Track system

DWC5X5 · 06-13-2004, 10:01 PM

Anybody have a clue on what the cost of the 4 top rail pieces of the track system would be. I bought a tonneau cover that didnt work with the system, so I decided to take the system off. During the time I was taking it off I stripped 4 of the bolts holding it in. Two bolts on one piece and two on the other.( These are very shoddy, soft metal bolts, be careful if you do the same) Anyhow I had to hacksaw 2 of the 4 pieces off at the bolt, gonna have to figure out a way to get these bolts out, already tried tapping them out but it didnt work. Any suggustions would be helpful. Now I have to buy 2 new ones to replace and Im definately replacing all the bolts. But the tonneau cover fits and looks nice!! LOL.

pagerdaddy · 06-13-2004, 10:42 PM

[quote=DWC5X5]

DWC5X5, I would look for an automotive machine shop in the area you live in.
Take the rails with you and show them what you want done. I'm sure that
having them remove a few bolts will be far cheaper than buying new rails.

If any of you guys ever strip the threads out of something that is aluminum,
I highly recommend the heli coil system to repair it. If you strip the threads
out of a hole, all you have to do is drill the hole bigger, use the supplied tap,
and install the threaded steel inserts. This is stronger than original, and is
even used as OEM on alot of applications. If it is something you don't feel
comfortable doing yourself, just about any machine shop can do it for you.

Steve

cshepherd · 06-14-2004, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWC5X5

Anybody have a clue on what the cost of the 4 top rail pieces of the track system would be. I bought a tonneau cover that didnt work with the system, so I decided to take the system off. During the time I was taking it off I stripped 4 of the bolts holding it in. Two bolts on one piece and two on the other.( These are very shoddy, soft metal bolts, be careful if you do the same) Anyhow I had to hacksaw 2 of the 4 pieces off at the bolt, gonna have to figure out a way to get these bolts out, already tried tapping them out but it didnt work. Any suggustions would be helpful. Now I have to buy 2 new ones to replace and Im definately replacing all the bolts. But the tonneau cover fits and looks nice!! LOL.

If you had a "Dremel" tool and a cut off wheel, you could have tried slotting the heads of the bolts so that you could have used a large slotted screwdriver to remove them. If the bolts are just sitting there by themselves now, couldn't you just use a vicegrip plier on them and back them out?

bestatchess · 06-14-2004, 09:41 AM

Easy Out + Liquid Wrench although I would take it to a machine shop if you don't have a drill press.

DWC5X5 · 06-14-2004, 10:29 AM

The Dremel tool idea may work. But I might also do what was suggested and take it to a machine shop. I worked for over 5 hours on that stupid thing and dont know if I want to spend one more minute on it. Thanks guys for the info and ideas.

cshepherd · 06-14-2004, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Easy Out + Liquid Wrench although I would take it to a machine shop if you don't have a drill press.

That would have to be one large *** drill press, not to mention the Titan would need to be on its side!

bestatchess · 06-14-2004, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshepherd

That would have to be one large *** drill press, not to mention the Titan would need to be on its side!

He mentioned that he already hacksawed the bolts off, so I assume that the tracks are not on the truck.

DWC5X5 · 06-14-2004, 02:19 PM

actually i hacksawed the track system off at the bolts, couldnt get the bolts! There are still two pieces of the track system hanging, held by the bolts that wont come out.