Installing Bed Utility Rails

[dgulia]

Guys, I have a JT Rubicon with spray in factory bed liner. I was trying to install the Mopar bed rails but threaded holes in the bed have the bed liner coating sitting in it for first couple of mm. It’s not allowing to start the bolt. How should I get rid of it and what is the best way to go about it.
Thanks for your help

Sponsored

 

[bgenlvtex]

M6-1.0 thread chaser, copious lubricant.

If you use a tap, it will re-cut the threads.

If you just try to run them in through the bedliner material the material WILL foul the threads and you will have much bigger problems

 

[dgulia]

M6-1.0 thread chaser, copious lubricant.

If you use a tap, it will re-cut the threads.

If you just try to run them in through the bedliner material the material WILL foul the threads and you will have much bigger problems

Thank you very much sir

 

[Rummie]

Worked perfectly.

 

[dgulia]

Is this a thread chaser

 

[Rummie]

Is this a thread chaser

No, that's a tap. It's what I had available and what the Rebel Off Road instructions called for. I was careful with it to try not to cut anything. It worked well because it was easy to get into the gunked up hole due to the smaller tip than you find on a chaser. I just made sure it was lined up and it took the path of least resistance just clearing out the bed liner.

With that said, I don't have a lot of experience with either so you may want to hear what others with more experience with taps and chasers have to say as well. In my case the tap worked great but there is probably a bit more risk of tapping when you don't intend to.

 

[DLAW]

Guys, I have a JT Rubicon with spray in factory bed liner. I was trying to install the Mopar bed rails but threaded holes in the bed have the bed liner coating sitting in it for first couple of mm. It’s not allowing to start the bolt. How should I get rid of it and what is the best way to go about it.
Thanks for your help

I made my own tap because I don't have a lot. I managed to find some metric fine thread screws in my screw bins. This screw came from left overs from wall hanging TVs. VESA mount TV wall hanging is all metric and normally come with black screws.

First I tapered the tip on a bench grinder. Then I used a dremel tool with a thin cut off wheel and carefully cut a deep line on both sides. This created a cutting edge for the threads and it's basically a tap now. At least strong enough to cut through the paint. This worked great for me. Make absolutely sure you are actually in the thread tracks before using a tool so you don't strip it. I used an impact driver and just worked the screw in and out 2 or 3 times per hole. I was gold after that.

Another tip: watch some YouTube videos on how to properly install a rivet nut, or rivnut.

Good luck.

 

[bgenlvtex]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T6JC9K0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_G-I0FbKY5B6GS

This is a chaser, in the interest of full disclosure, if I had an M6 tap(which I do) , that is what I would use and I have tapped many, many holes.

If however I did not, or did not know what to expect and what it feels like, I would order the chaser.

In either event, you'll want to clear the debris as you go along by reversing the cutter , using lubricant, and compressed air. That liker material is nasty stuff and heat generated by the process will fuse it to the cutter. If you don't have compressed air, use a can of duster like you would use on a keyboard to clear chips. It's not a technical operation, paying attention will go a long way toward success. If you just go to hogging on it, you'll just make trouble for yourself

 

[Rummie]

https://mechanicalmalarkey.com/2018/08/16/taps-dies-vs-thread-chasers-whats-the-difference/

Explains the differences between the two. The tap will be easier to get started in this case but you have to be careful not to cut the threads. The chaser will be harder to start with the bed liner in the way but it won't cut your threads.

Maybe use a blade to clean up the visible edge as much as possible so you can get the thread chaser started.

 

[dgulia]

Thanks for all the advice
Will try this weekend

 

[TomH]

Take one of the screws out of the access panels on the tailgate and use that as a thread chaser. Works really well

 

[ChillxPoint]

Worked perfectly.

Did you use a 6mm x 1 tap bit? Also did you go all the way through or just far enough to clean the painted areas that got into the thread?

 

[Rummie]

Did you use a 6mm x 1 tap bit? Also did you go all the way through or just far enough to clean the painted areas that got into the thread?

Yes, it was an m6 1.0 tap. I would go a little bit and then back out to get rid of gunk. Then go a bit further. If my memory is correct I went all the way through.

 

[Frenzy]

I'm going to be doing the same soon, and interested to know how this worked for you ChillxPoint

 

[Ar4130]

I used a drywall knife to bevel the edge of the holes slightly and clear out just enough material to see the threads. It helped get the thread chaser (purchased on amazon M6x1.0) started in the threads and avoid cross threading. Backed out a bit every few turns to clear out material.
It was super easy and did a great job. Take your time, as to not damage anything /accidentally cross thread.

Sponsored