Roll bar bolts

[Silver Square]

I just got my roll bar back from the chrome shop. It turned out great. When I bought it, it was in pieces and the guy did not have the bolts for it. Does anybody know what style of bolts these things came with back in the '80s and '90s? I'd assume a carriage bolt of some kind, but what about the nut? It would look kind of unsightly with a normal nut on there. I'd like to get a carriage bolt, but maybe one that has an allen head instead of a completely smooth end, and a nut with a threaded shank that would fit inside the hole in the bar that the carriage bolt could screw into so it'd be flush with the bar on both sides instead of having a nut sticking out. Is that even a thing? If so, what is it called?

Anyone have any other recommendations of what kind of bolts/nuts to use to hold it together?

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[PrairieDrifter]

Use a flat head, Allen or torx bolt and acorn nuts? They use them on like bikes and were used on flatheads

 

[Silver Square]

Use a flat head, Allen or torx bolt and acorn nuts? They use them on like bikes and were used on flatheads

That's an idea. I suppose that would look better than a normal nut, even if it did stick out.

 

[CalSgt]

The only bolts I have seen like you describe are called a “Chicago”

I’ve never seen one that big though, only little guys on pistol/knife holsters and rifle slings

If you do stainless bolts be sure to use antisieze

 

[saltdog]

and make sure the stainless is at least 316 or the roll bar will not help much if you roll

 

[Silver Square]

and make sure the stainless is at least 316 or the roll bar will not help much if you roll

This thing would crumple like a beer can if I rolled it lol. No matter how strong the bolts are.

 

[Ricko1966]

This thing would crumple like a beer can if I rolled it lol. No matter how strong the bolts are.

Many manufacturers called them light bars,for a reason.I think the latest term is chase rack. They do make a nut like you are talking about,I'll try to find a link use button head bolts. I'll find some pics. See what these guys offer

Round Body Blind Nut Open

Round Open End Rivet nuts are used in round holes and do not limit the length the stud or protrusion of the male threaded part.

www.jcfasteners.com

The fasteners below biggest I could find was 3/8 16 also research pem nuts.

 

[bucket]

I believe the original hardware would have been a flush mount bolt on both sides of the tube, one being male and the other being female. Similar to a couple that Ricko posted.

 

[CalSgt]

Many manufacturers called them light bars,for a reason. They do make a nut like you are talking about,I'll try to find a link use button head bolts. I'll find some pics. See what these guys offer

Round Body Blind Nut Open

Round Open End Rivet nuts are used in round holes and do not limit the length the stud or protrusion of the male threaded part.

www.jcfasteners.com

The fasteners below biggest I could find was 3/8 16 also research pem nuts.

I found them as big as 10mm (16mm head) but it didn’t say what the thread pitch was, this company calls them a binding barrel. The link is the barrels only but I’d bet this company sells the matching bolt, or you can use all thread (or cut the head from a bolt) and a barrel on each side. These are 304 stainless too

https://www.harfington.com/products/p-1528135

 

[bucket]

I forgot to ask, what was the bill at the chrome shop? Apparently it is incredibly more expensive than it used to be.

I don't even know off-hand were a chrome shop is anymore. I know there's a well known one in TN.

 

[nvrenuf]

Back in the day…. I bought a multi piece roll bar and it used these expanding rivets, not bolts.

10/30/50/100pcs Hammer Drive Rivets Expansion Round Head Aluminum Nail Steel Stick Stainless Expansion Nail drive rivet hammer aluminum rivet m3 head hammer rivet aluminum set rivet round meta N0P5 - Walmart.com

Buy 10/30/50/100pcs Hammer Drive Rivets Expansion Round Head Aluminum Nail Steel Stick Stainless Expansion Nail drive rivet hammer aluminum rivet m3 head hammer rivet aluminum set rivet round meta N0P5 at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Edit: not sure why the link says robot or human but it goes to a Walmart page for the rivets.

 

[Grit dog]

I’m dense this morning maybe. Not understanding the connundrum.
Holes in mount plates aren’t made for a carriage head to grab so sort rules out carriage bolts. And there’s just bolting to the bed floor, not through the frame, correct?
I’m not seeing the use for blind nuts, press in nuts etc. or are you wanting to put nut serts in the floor because can’t reach the locations underneath?
Regardless, 24 bolts seems excessive. Especially since it’s for show. I’d probably forego half the bolts. That’s a lot of holes and drilling for a big chrome light bar! (But it will looks cool as hell!)
Would have likely found a chrome “roll bar” for the 86 to complete the look but it has to fit thru a 7’ tall garage door sometimes and it clears the rubber door opening trim by about negative 1/4” lol. It will clear again once the tires are half wore out!

 

[nvrenuf]

@Grit dog the roll bar itself it multi piece (look closely for the seams) so there’s holes for hardware to make it rigid otherwise it’s fairly loose.

 

[Ricko1966]

I’m dense this morning maybe. Not understanding the connundrum.
Holes in mount plates aren’t made for a carriage head to grab so sort rules out carriage bolts. And there’s just bolting to the bed floor, not through the frame, correct?
I’m not seeing the use for blind nuts, press in nuts etc. or are you wanting to put nut serts in the floor because can’t reach the locations underneath?
Regardless, 24 bolts seems excessive. Especially since it’s for show. I’d probably forego half the bolts. That’s a lot of holes and drilling for a big chrome light bar! (But it will looks cool as hell!)
Would have likely found a chrome “roll bar” for the 86 to complete the look but it has to fit thru a 7’ tall garage door sometimes and it clears the rubber door opening trim by about negative 1/4” lol. It will clear again once the tires are half wore out!

It's a 3 piece bolt together rollbar.

 

[Grit dog]

It's a 3 piece bolt together rollbar.

Thank you I didn’t pick up on that he’s looking for bolts that go thru the tubes to reassemble. My bad.
Then yup all great suggestions so far.
My only suggestion is peruse some online catalogs like Mc Master Carr or if you have a local hardware store with a REAL hardware section not Lowe’s lol, spend some time there.
It’s kinda nice, here we have a couple local or local chain hardware stores that have phenomenal hardware departments (nuts n bolts).
I’ve found obscure hardware there multiple times. Helps if they have a retired old guy working it who knows what’s in every bin in the aisle!