I am installing a set of OEM driving lights that I bought from a NAM member. Last night I drilled 5/32" holes for the brackets. The instructions say to use rivets to install the brackets. I assume these would be 1/8", but are they aluminum? I don't own a rivet tool and haven't used one in a long time. I was considering using stainless machine screws, lock washers & nuts on the bottom, where I can get to both ends, and stainless sheet metal screws on the top, where I can't. Any advice?

 

I used stainless screws and I know many others have as well. My thoughts were is/when the brackets vibrate loose, I can re-tighten with ease. Also, I found that if you mark the plastic covers that hide the underside hood openings, where you insert the wires and where the bracket screw nuts go, then dremel a radius in the cover that contours to the top of the bracket around screw hole, you will get nice flush fit of the covers around the brackets. DON'T try to clip with a shear or the plastic cover will snap in half. This last sentence may sound odd but will be clear when you install everything.

Gene

 

Thanks, good tip about the plastic part, too.

 

I've installed these for several folks and prefer to use stainless hardware. Use nylon self locking nuts .... they won't come loose.

Find a decent hardware store where you can buy by the piece - stay away from Home Despot or Lowe's in this case....

pop rivets - yuk

 

When I reinstalled mine after swapping the grille, I bought a pop-riveter at Harbor Freight and installed just the same as I had removed. If you use bolts, make sure you don't use ones that are too long or you may poke dents or even holes in your bonnet.

 

After I drilled the upper holes, I probed them with a toothpick to see how long a sheet metal screw I should buy. There is an inch between the two layers of metal, so the danger of hitting the outer skin isn't as bad as I thought when I was drilling. I wish I had known that. It would have been a little less scary.

The dimension given in the instructions for the bracket location meant one of my bottom holes was right next to a plastic fin, so I ended up using sheet metal screws not only on the top, but also on the outer bottom hole. The moral of that is "look where your hole will come through BEFORE you drill".

Anyway, they are on, look great, and didn't fall off on the way to work this morning. Next step is to wire them.

 

You too, eh?:impatient I just left the hole there and moved the bracket.
Nuts and bolts here, with screws for the bonnet.

 

I used stainless wing nuts for the area in the bonnet that you can not access well. Again, a good hardware store is a great place for one off bolts and nuts.