G503 Military Vehicle Message Forums

The story is that there are no dumb questions. . .

So here goes. I'm replacing the hat channels on my VEP 42 GPW. Jon's drawing of the "Floor Reinforcing Body Span" channel (the one that runs perpendicular to the body from the sump to the passenger's side) shows a 'captive nut' welded to the inside of the hat channel. My old channels had a square hole where a pressed in nut had been. The new hat channel has the nut welded on the inside. It is situated to have something bolted to the underside of the jeep.
Dumb Question: What is this captive nut used for??? It is located only about 4 inches from the fuel tank sump and an inch inside the body mount hole in the hat channel.

Tim
GPW 4661

Front seat perhaps?

What is the thread size of the nut?

It's a body to frame nut, see '' B '' in diagram.

Cheers

Gary[attachment=0]0000476_body-hod-down-bolts-complete-set-for-std-willys-600x461.jpeg[/attachment]

Knew I should have posted a photo of the captive nut location:

Chuck: Driver's seat bolt holes are forward of this Hat Channel. Also, captive nut is facing down from the Hat Channel.

Ben: Nut size is 3/8"x16

Gary: Body Bolt "B" is located is located about an inch outboard of the captive nut.

I would show Jon's 'Drawing #1, Part 1" of the Hat Channel, but don't want to violate his copyright rules.



I have screwed a 3/8" bolt into the 'captive nut' in this photo. And 'Yes" Chuck, I haven't finished spot welding the Hat Channel on yet

Your Confused 503er

Tim
GPW-4661

Is it for the wiring loom p clip?

See Johns photo on this thread link

viewtopic.php?t=124671

Thanks for the post m3bobby. In the photo I posted you will see a black arrow on the Hat Channel. That is there to remind to spot weld the metal tab that I took off the old Hat Channel back on. A 3/8" bolt might be a little over-kill to hold a harness clip on too. I enjoyed the photo that Jon posted on the link you provided. Interesting that he shows only four tabs on that body. Mine has six that includes both Hat Channels.

Tim
GPW-4661

That bolt hole should be for the body hold down. Screwed up from underneath. That way you do not have to remove gas tank when lifting body off of frame.

Will I'll Be Darn!
After reading Semberae's post I went back and re-read Gary CV's I mean, can two 503ers be wrong?? Nope! Just me
The captive nuts is the "B" body mount as Gary CV noted earlier and Semberae confirmed.
Only two questions now.
1. How come with four body bolts attaching through the Hat Channels, only one uses a captive nut in the Hat Channel and the other three bolt through the floor?
2. What am I suppose to do with the 1/2" hole I have that runs all the way through the Hat Channel and the floor that is located an inch inside the body bolt?

So many questions. I just have to listen to the answers! Thanks Gary CV and Semberae

That one bolt means as said above, you can leave the tank in situ to lift the body. If it was a nut and bolt like the others, you would need access to the bolt head which means removing the tank.

I also meant to add that it's a little clearer to me now. I hadn't realised you drilled the through hole. It appears your hat channel is in the wrong place or it was made wrong. I think you need to remove it and move the welded nut and then close the unused holes.

Hi m3bobby:
Your most likely correct about having to move the captive nut over to the hole. I should have guessed that it was incorrect when I had to move the parking brake spring clip over earlier. I guess that is how you learn to love your jeep, you keep taking it apart and putting it back together.

m3bobby, can you give me a clearer picture of where the captive nut you spoke of under your battery tray. Check the photo on my batter ground subject and see if any of the holes are what you spoke of.
Tim
GPW-4661

Maybe I am having one of those moments.
Original post, Sump to the passenger side.
????
Are we on the passenger side of the jeep ???
I am grinding around the gray matter.
Isn't there a captive nut, in a hat channel on that side for an exhaust hanger for a side exit exhaust ????

I think he was just describing which hat channel it was i.e. The one that runs from the gas tank to the passenger side.

You're correct m3bobby. The captive nut is on the driver's side of the jeep next to the fuel tank sump.
You had me stumped for the longest time. You stating that they used a captive nut to prevent having to remove the fuel tank when pulling the body. I kept looking at this from the underside of the body and couldn't figure our why you would have to pull the tank. DAAA! The problem wasn't under the body, it was above where the fuel tank overlaps the floor .
I told you I was good with the questions but not so good understanding the answers.

Tim
GPW-4661