Source of Bolts?

I've got the bed off and pretty much all the rear frame, brakes, and suspension taken apart. It's been a fight and at least 50% of the bolts have either sheared or heads rounded off due to rust. I prefer to use decent quality captive-washer automotive fasteners rather than regular HW store bolts. I'm normally working on 50yr old American cars and not modern metric based stuff. Price at the dealer isn't the end of the world, but I'm wondering if there anyone has a source for metric bolts at a better price point? Just the one for the crossmembers and fuel tank I'll need at least 25 of them at ~$1.50 each. The Toyota online parts site doesn't seem to give size descriptions, which is a pain, but I can measure the remnants to figure that out.

 

I haven't had much luck with Home Depot in Socal- might be different in other locations. They've kept reducing their hardware inventory and cut a majority of the metric stuff, especially grade 8.
I've had better success at Ace Hardware, but they closed the store down near me.

If it's a specialty bolt, I'll just get OEM (order online, pick up in person at the parts counter), or order from McMaster Carr or Grainger.

 

Boltdepot.com has everything I’ve needed, even the JIS stuff

 

Fastenal

 

I filled up my JIS bolt bin years ago .(Japanese Industrial Standard ) None of the local sources had even heard of JIS Hardware.

I had used a source called Belmetric supply it has been years. (a quick search shows a web site.)

Odd ball sizes I bought from the my local dealer.

 

I recommend Belmetric. I have bought a lot of bolts from them.

https://belmetric.com/

 

I have luck with www.grainger.com they're cheapest if you're buying in bulk. Other than that, tractor supply have a good amount of loose nuts and bolts and is sold by weight. It's cheaper than buying from home depot, Lowe's, fastnal or other places in my experiences.

 

Definatly stick with JIS so all your bolt head sizes match.
You shouldn't have to have 13mm or 15mm nuts and bolts on your truck.

 

McMaster-Carr has some possibility for you.......

 

Ace hardware usually has quite a big selection of various bolts. High strength, captured washers, stainless, etc... they pretty much have it all.

Years ago, the guy at the local auto parts store told me to go there - that's even where he got most his hardware.

 

Recently someone here was looking for bolts for the skid plate and someone noted that those are thread cutter bolts. I have since noticed that every bolt (that I have worked on) that screws into a chassis nut is a thread cutter bolt. I assume this is to act as a clean out to help prevent thread damage?

I know the Chevy guys will make a cyl head block thread clean out bolt from a spare head bolt by cutting that slot on a grinder.

Not saying you need those but something I never really noticed or understood before. Apparently using a standard tap as a clean out is not a good idea as it can damage threads, they have special clean out taps but some sizes are hard to find.

Also I assume the bolts made for vehicles have better corrosion protection, most HW store bolts are just Zinc plated which is pretty much useless for outdoor use.

Seems to me if you have to order online might as well at least check online Toyota, prices are 50% of OTC where I live and I found that if I select a dealer somewhat close to me its one or 2 days shipping, although you have to spend $75 to get the free shipping. Unfortunately reaching the $75 is not hard to do on a 20+ year old truck.

 

They are made for use on the line when employees might not get the bolts lined up perfect with the threads.

Keeping the bolt from just stripping completely.

 

www.mcmaster.com

Great source for hardware & so much more. I find their site is very easy to navigate, for having so many choices.

 

I use Albany County fasteners.
Get fasteners for everything you can think of when ordering.
It brings down the cost per fastener when figuring in shipping.

 

I buy mine at the local Rural King farm store.
You can buy all grades by the pound. They aren’t JIS, they are ANSI/DIN.
They have both flange and standard hex head. Never seen them carry captive washer, I just use regular washers of the same grade.