2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Thank you Chrysler - SAE, Metric Mix

[guldam]

Thank you Chrysler for making my Dodge maintenance such an interesting exercise in grabbing every wrench and socket in my tool box to determine whether or not a nut or a bolt is SAE or Metric.



Oh, and using non-standard sizes such as 15mm that my three socket sets neglect to include was brilliant!



I can't wait to find what other interesting nut and bolt sizes you used. Whitworth perhaps? Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!



Oo. :-laf



GulDam

 

[DavidC]

It's not only Dodge, the daughters Ford and the wifes Toyota are the same way. I know the pain you feel.



Dave

 

[kenny61]

15 mm is non standard???

 

[BSeyler]

Some SAE and metric sizes are very close and some wrenches will interchange. That doesn't mean the manufacturer is mixing SAE and metric. I've not found a bolt or nut on my last five pickups that my metric sets do not fit.

 

[GAmes]

Want some cheese with that whine?:-laf

 

[fest3er]

Dunno what the big deal is. I've had a set of metric sockets and wrenches since about 1985. They fit everything on my '84 200SX, a lot of stuff on my '87 Formula 350, most stuff on my '88 F150, and most stuff on my '98 Dodge, even the Cummins engine. If it's been made since 1980 or so, start with metric and resort to English as needed. Metric is here to stay.

 

[guldam]

Don't think I was whining! Honest. I was admiring the eclectic mix of SAE and Metric nuts and bolts.



Go to your local tool store and look at the sets of sockets. Many sets do not include 15mm. Some do, and some don't. I have several sets from the 70's and some from not long ago that skipped the 15mm.



I say let's make it interesting and include some Whitworth. Old Brit Mechanics will love it.



And now I'm thanking the last two Mechanics who installed shocks on my truck. Both seem to be a lot stronger than me. It took a 24" breaker bar and both legs to break the bottom nuts on the shocks. And interestingly the shock mounts are now not wide enough to take a new set of Bilsteins. The mounts have been crushed as in deformed to fit the shock mounts that appear to have been ground down (to fit?).



I guess if a spec says torque to 75lbs then 150lbs is better or for that matter 200lbs!!!! And that's without the benefit of corrosion.



I love working on my truck!



GulDam

 

[SRath]

I agree: only idiots and fools would intentionally build a vehicle with both SAE and metric fasteners. And just look who went bankrupt and needed a taxpayer bailout.



That said, the answer to outstanding stupidity is outstanding ingenuity and the best set of tools I have bought in 20 years has been the Metrinch set I bought from Sears. Very high quality. The wrenches and sockets all fit both SAE and metric fasteners, PLUS they grab the nut or bolt by the flats, not the corners, so no rounded nuts or bolts.



I have no idea why they didn't sell better or why they didn't OUTsell every other conventional tool set. But the lack of sales got me my set for 1/2 off, so it was good for me that few people bought them. They're hard to find now, or I would buy another set with no hesitation.

 

[analog]

I'll second that Metrinch recommendation. I don't have to worry about SAE or Metric any more. I love it! Had a set for going on 10 years now I think. Very high quality.

 

[BSeyler]

You guys need to buy better tools. I looked at my sockets and my 1/4" drive set starts at 4mm. I have 3/8" drive and 1/2" drive going through 36mm. I don't have any sizes that are skipped. Same with my combination wrenches.

I do have a cheap set of metric wrenches in my toolbox on my pickup and there are some sizes skipped.

Neal is right - since the 80s, it's been metric.

Bud

 

[SRath]

What's been metric since the 80's? Certainly not these trucks we drive.

 

[kenny61]

The 80's is when the American builders began switching over. I still do not see what the problem is. See what size it is and grab the proper tool as long as its not the ultra rare 33/64 or 7. 9375 mm I dont see what the problem is...

 

[SMorneau]

I lodged the same objection before I realized most of the hardware is metric. Beware of the Brake line nuts on the old 2nd gens the nuts are 3/8 if you use a 10mm you will be sorry. By this time most of the SAE hardware on the truck came from me.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

The 80's is when the American builders began switching over. I still do not see what the problem is. See what size it is and grab the proper tool as long as its not the ultra rare 33/64 or 7. 9375 mm I dont see what the problem is...

Well, try a 74 Pinto. It was a mix - SAE for the body - Metric for the powertrain.
In late 73 I left the wife with a 71 442 W-30 and a POA while I spent some time on the white sands of Guam... I came home to... well... it wasn't the 442... and it didn't even have a cigarrette lighter. :-{}#@$%!:{

 

[scotmartin]

Some Toyota's really?? I've owned 4, always wrenched myself and never ran across an SAE bolt.

 

[kenny61]

Thats strange I keep finding 1/2" and 9/16" and even the occasional 3/4" on my inlaws Toyotas... .

 

[ChrisOlson]

You guys need to buy better tools.

Walmart only has a very limited selection of tools so i have been told:-laf



chris

 

[fest3er]

Walmart only has a very limited selection of tools so i have been told:-laf



chris

Ooh! We haven't had a good war in here for a long time! Walmart v. Harbor Freight v. True Value v. your favorite local tool store. Craftsman v. Allen v. SK v. Snap-On. v. disposable tools.

 

[Grizzly]

I've had three Toyota's and one Honda and all my kid's have had all Japanese cars and trucks, which I and my son have done all the wrenching including rebuilding engines and all have been metric. Ford in the early 90's used a mix if metric and SAE. Needless to say I have plenty of both metric and SAE tools. My 95 Dodge with a CTD had a mix of both.

 

[WilsonF]

I have found that on metric bolts from about #14 up you can use a lot of SAE wrenches on.

Floyd