Cheap bolts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

howzzzit · 01-02-2023, 12:20 AM

Anyone check out the bolts that are supplied with the cab mounting hardware?? They are grade 2 or less. Anyway, the sets from Classic Industries. I'll be changing mine to grade 8. Four cheap bolts holding your cab on could perhaps turn your cab into a lunar lander module during a severe collision. I'm sure the factory bolts weren't grade 2. Just something else to run through your head while trying to sleep at night.

**Accelo** · 01-02-2023, 02:48 AM

I absolutley understand your frustration. Grade 2 China may be a grade zero USA bolt?
However, the thin metal they go through would likely fail before the bolt would.
I understand the grade 8 may help you sleep better and that makes it worth it.
Cheers.

**kwmech** · 01-02-2023, 12:40 PM

Factory bolts are grade 5 or better. Jut about all hardware is made in china now. I think everything I get from Fastenal is made overseas.

**Getter-Done** · 01-02-2023, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

Factory bolts are grade 5 or better. Jut about all hardware is made in china now. I think everything I get from Fastenal is made overseas.

Yeah, I have Friends at Fastenal.

They down their head when I ask

**Accelo** · 01-02-2023, 02:13 PM

I recently went through a cluster at work when we replaced some bolts on a crane. They were 5/8" A325 bolts. These are torque to yield bolts that are only used one time. The torque is very high for a 5/8" bolt 198 - 240 inch pounds. Some of the replacement bolts were breaking before they reached the torque specification. They were marked A325 right on the heads. Turned out they were Chinese bolts. A325 bolts are typically used on structural steel and bridges. The spec was for USA bolts only, the vendor had somehow ended up with them. Of course I never received the whole story.

KQQL IT · 01-02-2023, 03:15 PM

Been spending the $$$ lately on
ARP bolts

AllGoNoShow · 01-02-2023, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

Factory bolts are grade 5 or better. Jut about all hardware is made in china now. I think everything I get from Fastenal is made overseas.

Off topic I admit, but I buy most of my hardware from boltsandnuts.com (they also advertise on amazon I believe but are cheaper direct). I've probably bought five different mix sets of Grade 8, Grade 5, and stainless. They are typically branded "JH"-Jinn Hirr (made in Taiwan-probably one of the biggest manufactures in the world and what I've found is typically in aftermarket suspension kits like QA1) and/or Made in Canada (lfastgroupe with the triangle head marking). I've even had some made in USA bolts mixed in there before. Not a bad place to purchase if you guys need anything in the future.

The body mount bolts I got from gmcpauls were Grade 5, but the washers were significantly thinner/smaller then original so I reused the old ones.

HOGDADDY · 01-02-2023, 06:48 PM

A few years back I put new bushings on and used cad plated grade 8 and after swapping radiator support to 91 Suburban recently, I discovered those new bolts were rusted badly.

I found equivalent bolts in stainless steel from BoltDepot. They were a tad longer but not an issue.

https://www.boltdepot.com/Catalog.aspx

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 01-05-2023, 03:19 AM

Short maybe small hardware, which I doubt, GMs hardware was GR 5 or 8. Generally speaking GR 8 is for chassis such as for the crossmembers, if I recall some suspension & lower steering, heavy stuff.

There's a reason manufacturers did not install GR 8 into an engine block, for instance. That said, I'm not sure what the intake and head bolts were, such as "M" bolts. They're not marked 5 or 8.

OT: Anyone know what four marks means? Seems I had some on the bell housing.

I got my cab mount kit from Classic Heartbeat. The bolts are unmarked, or at least the rears aren't. I'd have to check, but I don't believe the original bolts were marked. The new front bolts are stout, but IMO the rears are lessor than original, though I installed them.

Agree, if the bolts feel weak they probably are.

**GMCPaul** · 01-13-2023, 11:49 AM

Our cab mounting bolt sets are made up of Grade 5 fasteners.
Part # 298298 or 19711953
67-72 Complete Cab Hardware Kit
Found on the following 2 pages of our website
Radiator Cab & Bed Mounts
https://gmcpauls.com/rubber_&_weather_strip_21.htm
or
Bolts & Misc.
https://gmcpauls.com/Bolts_&_Misc..htm
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

best view · 01-13-2023, 09:53 PM

Good info thanks

**Wrenchbender Ret** · 01-14-2023, 12:17 PM

OT: Anyone know what four marks means? Seems I had some on the bell housing.

We used to get bolts with 4 markings. They were about halfway between grade 5 & grade 8 in strength. You just don't see them anymore.

George

AllGoNoShow · 01-14-2023, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMCPaul

Our cab mounting bolt sets are made up of Grade 5 fasteners manufactured in the USA.
Part # 298298 or 19711953
67-72 Complete Cab Hardware Kit
Found on the following 2 pages of our website
Radiator Cab & Bed Mounts
https://gmcpauls.com/rubber_&_weather_strip_21.htm
or
Bolts & Misc.
https://gmcpauls.com/Bolts_&_Misc..htm
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

Unless you changed recently-the bolts I got from you are marked “JH” which are Jinn Herr (Made in Taiwan). Probably one of the biggest bolt manufacturers there is, but definitely not made in the USA.
Posted via Mobile Device

**GMCPaul** · 01-15-2023, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllGoNoShow

Unless you changed recently-the bolts I got from you are marked “JH” which are Jinn Herr (Made in Taiwan). Probably one of the biggest bolt manufacturers there is, but definitely not made in the USA.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks for pointing this out.
I just checked the bolt heads and you are correct and they were marked JH, the bolts from our fastener supplier arrive in U.S. Bolt Manufacturing Inc. labeling on the bulk packages we receive and the labels say they are made in USA on them. So I'm not sure whats going on. I'll get the made in USA removed from the site until we can determine where they are actually manufactured though.
Paul Jr @ GMCPauls

**MikeB** · 01-15-2023, 03:07 PM

Bolt Depot is a great place to get fasteners: https://www.boltdepot.com/catalog.aspx

I've been buying from them for many years. The only downside is today's shipping costs can be as much as the order. My last order was $17 in parts and $9 shipping.

But you name it, they probably have it -- flange nuts and bolts, stainless button head bolts, standard and SAE flat washers, steel spacers, etc. And, of course, Grade 5 and 8 nuts, bolts, and washers.

01-02-2023, 12:20 AM	#1
howzzzit Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 311	Cheap bolts Anyone check out the bolts that are supplied with the cab mounting hardware?? They are grade 2 or less. Anyway, the sets from Classic Industries. I'll be changing mine to grade 8. Four cheap bolts holding your cab on could perhaps turn your cab into a lunar lander module during a severe collision. I'm sure the factory bolts weren't grade 2. Just something else to run through your head while trying to sleep at night.

01-02-2023, 02:48 AM	#2
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,181	Re: Cheap bolts I absolutley understand your frustration. Grade 2 China may be a grade zero USA bolt? However, the thin metal they go through would likely fail before the bolt would. I understand the grade 8 may help you sleep better and that makes it worth it. Cheers.

01-02-2023, 12:40 PM	#3
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,407	Re: Cheap bolts Factory bolts are grade 5 or better. Jut about all hardware is made in china now. I think everything I get from Fastenal is made overseas.

01-02-2023, 02:13 PM	#5
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,181	Re: Cheap bolts I recently went through a cluster at work when we replaced some bolts on a crane. They were 5/8" A325 bolts. These are torque to yield bolts that are only used one time. The torque is very high for a 5/8" bolt 198 - 240 inch pounds. Some of the replacement bolts were breaking before they reached the torque specification. They were marked A325 right on the heads. Turned out they were Chinese bolts. A325 bolts are typically used on structural steel and bridges. The spec was for USA bolts only, the vendor had somehow ended up with them. Of course I never received the whole story.

01-02-2023, 03:15 PM	#6
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,159	Re: Cheap bolts Been spending the $$$ lately on ARP bolts __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

01-02-2023, 06:48 PM	#8
HOGDADDY Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 661	Re: Cheap bolts A few years back I put new bushings on and used cad plated grade 8 and after swapping radiator support to 91 Suburban recently, I discovered those new bolts were rusted badly. I found equivalent bolts in stainless steel from BoltDepot. They were a tad longer but not an issue. https://www.boltdepot.com/Catalog.aspx

01-05-2023, 03:19 AM	#9
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,156	Re: Cheap bolts Short maybe small hardware, which I doubt, GMs hardware was GR 5 or 8. Generally speaking GR 8 is for chassis such as for the crossmembers, if I recall some suspension & lower steering, heavy stuff. There's a reason manufacturers did not install GR 8 into an engine block, for instance. That said, I'm not sure what the intake and head bolts were, such as "M" bolts. They're not marked 5 or 8. OT: Anyone know what four marks means? Seems I had some on the bell housing. I got my cab mount kit from Classic Heartbeat. The bolts are unmarked, or at least the rears aren't. I'd have to check, but I don't believe the original bolts were marked. The new front bolts are stout, but IMO the rears are lessor than original, though I installed them. Agree, if the bolts feel weak they probably are. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assm. guide "kit" for restoring the truck from ground up. With assys, the guide accts for 1000s details, OEM identifications & part numbers, written in short order. 700+ images of assm., illust., charts, and points of interest. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM trucks, and to a lessor degree all 67-72 GM vehicles. My build thread, and more on the guide https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

01-13-2023, 11:49 AM	#10
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,718	Re: Cheap bolts Our cab mounting bolt sets are made up of Grade 5 fasteners. Part # 298298 or 19711953 67-72 Complete Cab Hardware Kit Found on the following 2 pages of our website Radiator Cab & Bed Mounts https://gmcpauls.com/rubber_&_weather_strip_21.htm or Bolts & Misc. https://gmcpauls.com/Bolts_&_Misc..htm Paul Jr @ GMCPauls __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM Last edited by GMCPaul; 01-25-2023 at 10:51 AM.

01-13-2023, 09:53 PM	#11
best view Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: newbury new hampsire Posts: 2,012	Re: Cheap bolts Good info thanks

01-14-2023, 12:17 PM	#12
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,193	Re: Cheap bolts OT: Anyone know what four marks means? Seems I had some on the bell housing. We used to get bolts with 4 markings. They were about halfway between grade 5 & grade 8 in strength. You just don't see them anymore. George

01-15-2023, 03:07 PM	#15
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,442	Re: Cheap bolts Bolt Depot is a great place to get fasteners: https://www.boltdepot.com/catalog.aspx I've been buying from them for many years. The only downside is today's shipping costs can be as much as the order. My last order was $17 in parts and $9 shipping. But you name it, they probably have it -- flange nuts and bolts, stainless button head bolts, standard and SAE flat washers, steel spacers, etc. And, of course, Grade 5 and 8 nuts, bolts, and washers. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 34 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 23 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!



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