Experience w/ JackNuts/RivNuts?

[BlackWorksInc]

So I have a couple projects/modifications in mind for my 4Runner and I am looking at ways to secure parts in blind holds in plate & sheet metal.

One example would be drilling out the already twice stripped and upsized skidplate bolt holes as well as securing some components to the sheetmetal of the vehicle.

I don't trust plastic anchors, they get used far too often in vehicles and tend to break, deteriorate over time, and crack when removed and installed more than once.

I found these things called RivNuts that seem to be pretty cool, and they come in M8x1.25 which is a nice bolt size. I also found "JackNuts" that seem to be a metal version of expanding plastic anchors which you can install without a special tool (though the RivNut tool is less than $15 on average from what I am seeing.) My only concern is that I do not have any experience with either and while I favor the Jacknuts for simplicity, they seem to be finicky on the hole size drilled and can sometimes "spin" if not tightened completely.

Anyone have any input/suggestions?

 

[eddiebx]

I used these before to install a factory tailgate spoiler/deflector on a CRV once, if you do go with the RivNuts, definitely get the tool; I rigged something (I think a couple of fat washers and a bolt to pull the RivNut into place) and it remember it not going all too smooth. If you want to lessen the chance of spinning, I would err towards the smaller side when drilling out the hole, because the only real friction holding the RivNut from turning would be the splines.

Never used those Jacknuts before, but I took a quick look at them just now, and they just seem like a cheaper/easier version of the RivNuts? I rather go with the original RivNut, why take chances to save a few minutes

 

[superman3043]

I use RivNuts a lot in blind holes that I can put weld-nuts. They work just fine and I like them. Not really anything negative to say about them really. No experience with Jack Nuts though. I've also used Clip Nuts in the past pretty successfully and the nice thing about them is they offer a degree of misalignment in high tolerance situations, because they can float a little, but you need a pretty specific application to be able to deploy those. I think the 4Runners may use a variation of these to hold the fender liners on if I'm not mistaken. Hope that helps.

 

[gaterose]

RivNuts are ok but make sure you torque em right when you mount em. If you tighten em too much they'll break or sometimes pull through body panels and not enough they'll spin then have to be drilled out. I've used em for several projects on the 4runner and my previous truck, they're commonly called blind nut inserts and available at most hardware stores. I believe RivNut is just a name brand like Crescent, Allen, or Vise Grip.

edit - also where I buy em it's about $4-7 for the insert tool and the inserts themselves are $1-3/ea.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Well that's good to hear about the RivNuts, a little surprised no one has used JackNuts...

I'm basically looking for something that will secure into the sheet metal and support a lot of stress, while being easy to install, affordable, and practical for varying levels of skill.