odd thread size on grill trim bars

[Jerry Roberts]

I found odd diameter fine thread stud sizes on the Pilot House studs that mount the stainless trim horizontal bars on the front of a pilot house truck . The common 1/4 inch fine thread  nuts are too big and a 10 gauge fine nut is too small . Has anyone else come across this problem ? I first though that the diameter had been decreased by rust but there are some existing nuts that fit well . Anyone know the oddball size ?

[Dodgeb4ya]

They used 12 ga fasteners.

[Plymouthy Adams]

you can still find the 12 gauge fasteners...just not as common as it once was..I ordered a box of 100 self sealing 10-24 nuts online...check out e-bay or Restoration Specialties or about any well heeled hardware store...

[Jerry Roberts]

I found the 12 gauge bolts  at Orchard Supply Hardware .  The size is 12 - 24 . I ran a 12-24 tap through the new nuts so that they fit my existing threads better .  They have about 70 stores in California and Oregon . 

Edited August 7, 2015 by Jerry Roberts

[Harbison]

Does anyone have a picture of these?  None of my grille pieces were attached when I got the truck.  Searching for 12 gauge fasteners and not coming up with anything. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

12 sizes are still available..just not as common...you want specialty hardware..go to a specialty hardware supplier...you local hardware store may or may not stock this...e-bay however will get you all you want

12 guage is in reference to metal thickness not screw size...it also refers to a caliber of shotgun shell...ask for #12 machine screw or nut/washer as needed

 

odd size ...not....uncommon today..yes..in a recent project here at the house I drilled and tapped some 380 holes and utilized the stock modern application and factory supplied  #12 machine screw.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Plymouthy Adams

[Dave72dt]

12-28 and 12-32 bolts are still common as well as # 12,10,8, 6 screws in varying lengths, varying head types.  # 6,8, and 10 series bolts are still out there as well. Try a different hardware store.  I've been sourcing them from a local True Value store, straight off the shelf.

[Harbison]

So just a #12 nut?  I thought maybe they were some sort of special fastener or something.  Like I said I don't have anything to go by. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

ok..so I get it you do not have any threaded stud available for you to look at and check for thread pitch?  is your trim piece void of any mounting hardware be it bolt or clip and you would like to know or see a picture of what is needed...?

[Dave72dt]

2 different pitch sizes for a # 12.  Take a sample with you to the hardware store or the part itself.  None of the grille trim pieces are so large that you can't walk in with one and they'll never mistake it for coming off there one of there shelves.

[Harbison]

Plymouthy Adams, I have all the studs.  I was under the impression that dodge used some special clip like some of the other truck manufacturers did. 

 

Dave72dt, I'll carry one of them into Ace and see what they have.

 

Thanks for all the responses.

[Plymouthy Adams]

often in the manner of fastening clip to the body the nut is a special cupped style and often filled with a slight proud amount of sealant to aid in rust prevention..

[JBNeal]

here are some close-ups of a '48 grille bar mounting stud nut & lock washer combo...the lock washers are slightly concaved with the outer teeth on the sheet metal and the inner teeth against the nut.  The studs are #12-28, the lock washers could probably be replaced with a helical spring lock washer

 

[Harbison]

JBNeal, thanks for the pictures. That really helps.  I looked at the local Ace Hardware and found plenty of #10 but no #12.  I'll keep hunting.

[ggdad1951]

those lock washers are "special" and I got a bunch of them from Grainger.  Reusing them is 50% at best as they tend to crack.