[Arcticcat843]

My windshield hinges, door hinges, door handles and a few other pieces are looking pretty bad. I would like to remove them and either replace them or paint them and reinstall them.
What im scared of is the bolts that hold these things on. They arent looking so good So im guessing ill be drilling a few out. What i want to know is what thread and length bolts they are so i can replace them with stainless ones while i have it apart. also, can i just drill them out and tap them or is therea nut on the backside or what. I havent had a chance to look close at it yet but id like to have everything i need gathered before i start on the project.

Also, if i fold my windshield down, is it going to start leaking? Its a 2000 and im 99% sure the original owner never even took the top off so im sure its never been folded.

 

[Arcticcat843]

Wow, true but...how often can everything go accordingly to plan in a perfect drilling world?rilling precisely and exactly on a bolt can be a PITA!Not to mention in his part of the rust world! I would suggest purchasing first an impact driver for all your torx head situations!There worth there weight in gold!:shhh:

They are rusty and do not look like they will being coming out easy so i want to prepare for the worst case.
So stupid question time, Ive looked at a few impact screwdriver sets online and none of them come with a torx bit. Did you just use a standard one from like a screwdriver kit? I noticed that all the impact ones are heat treated so im sure they are made to be stronger. will a standard one do that job. What size torx is it? does anyone know? maybe ill pick up a extra one just in case.

I just had to remove my windshield hinge bolts to add my light mounts. I used an "impact screwdriver" and they came out without any problems. I smacked the screwdriver 3-4 with a hammer and then used a ratchet to removed the bolt. I ended up replacing the bolts with some SS 1 inch long 5/16-18 counter sunk allen head bolts from he hardware store.

Here is a link to an impact screwdriver.

http://www.amazon.com/Impact-Screw-Driver-Socket-Loosen/dp/B001ABIJV0

EDIT* I didn't fully read golenjeep's post, but I'm guess an impact driver is the same thing.

They have that exact kit at Harbor freight (i know) for 6.99 so maybe ill just pick that one up. I cant seem to find one on the craftsman site. Id rather buy a better quality one but all i can find is cheap ones. Did you use the one in the link you posted? Did it work ok?
and thank you for the bolt size, i also plan on adding some light mounts while i have it apart. I have some left over kcs from another jeep project that would look good up there.

3/8 air impact - rattle them right out!

I think ill pass on that one.

 

[Arcticcat843]

Yeah that probably wouldn't be a bad idea, i might do that.


While we are on the subject, has anyone sandblasted and painted there stock hinges? I cant seem to find a new set. Well i can but they are either stainless (i dont want chrome and $$$) or black (also dont really want) My jeep is red and i would like red ones. I just dont know if mine are beyond repainting, they are pretty bad. Especially the hinge part for the door, the holes the door pins go into are like twice the size they should be and the door is all sloppy. I dont know if there is suppose to be like a plastic bushing in there or if mine are just shot.
Ideally i would just like to buy new ones but i dont want to spend a fortune on them either.