rear leaf spring mounting shackles 1967 f250

[jim bruce]

I am doing a frame up restoration on a 1967 F250. It has 8 leafs in the rear springs. It appears that the rivets on top of the left and right spring shackle at the rear of the truck are no longer firm against the frame. Appears two of the four rivets on each side have stretched or deformed. I can grind the head of the rivets off and punch them out--however what is the correct or workable replacement for these rivets?

[19674x4]

you could hot rivet them back in, but i would grade 8 bolt them. don't weld them unless you never want them back off.

[72stepside]

I had a similar problem. The rear spring shackle on my truck had rusted to pieces due to regular gas and a short exhast pipe. I cut the rivet heads with a hack saw and popped them off with a chisel and 8 pound hammer. I got a good one off a donor at the junkyard and bolted it back on with short Grade 8 bolts. That was 13 years ago.

[67heavystepside]

EVEN THE NEWER TRUCKA ARE RIVITED FROM FACTORY, WHEN WE REPLACE THEM HERE AT THE FORD DEALER WE JUST USE GRADE 8 BOLTS.

[averagef250]

Grade 8 bolts are fine. Hot rivets are stronger though and not hard to install.

[jim bruce]

Can you tell me where a person could buy the rivets? Probably going to bolt them but might explore the rivets if I can find a source, thanks, jim in Douglas County, Oregon.

[jim bruce]

Thanks every one for your input on this. This should get me on my way. jim