Hi All,

I purchased rock sliders that bolt to the frame after messing up my 2 door rubicon rails. The manufacture supplied self threading bolts as hardware. I thought this was a short cut and was thinking I would get new bolts and a tap.

After contacting the manufacture and a local off road shop both say the self threading bolts are better. They are quicker, less likely to messed up, and stronger because the threads will be tight to the bolt.

Is my thinking backwards? What are your thoughts?

 

With 25 years in the fastener industy all I can say is that it depends on several factors. Are the screws in shear or tensile? What type of self threading screws? What diameter of screws?

Auto manufacturers have been using self threading fasteners for decades. One big difference is that most of their parts are custom made to theirs specs. The stuff from your local hardware store would not meet their specs.

For a true rock slider I would want them either welded or through bolted (with crush sleeves) with nuts & washers.