Hardware to Attach Glove Box

I just received the plastic glove box to replace the one that has been missing from my 1974 CJ5 for the last 10 years. What kind of hardware do I use to secure it to the dash panel?

 

Does your dash have the tabs folded in around the opening? I used sheet metal screws to attach the plastic box to these tabs. These dash tabs have holes. You'll have to make pilot holes in the plastic but not too large so the screws have good bite in the plastic.

 

The cardboard box has steel clip nuts attached to it, that the screws thread through. I believe with the plastic box, all you need to do is mark and drill some pilot holes for the screws. I would use #8 stainless panhead screws, as short as I could find (1/2"? 3/8"?) Make sure the holes are small, like the diameter of the screw between the threads or a little smaller.

 

Now that I know I will need some sheet metal screws and u-style clip-on nuts, I am guessing I will have to remove the heater fan/motor assembly in order install the box. Unless there is a simpler way of doing it.

 

I believe you don't need the clip nuts. Driving the screws into a small hole in the plastic should be enough.

The cardboard glove box folds to go in through the glove box door opening. Probably won't work for the plastic replacement. However, I would try putting it up there with the heater in place... try getting it under the dash anywhere, then move sideways to the glove box door opening.

 

Yeah, the clip-on nuts are most likely a bit of over kill but being an engineer I sometime get anal about those kind of things.

 

Now I'm thinking of a sheet metal model and pem nuts.

 

You can shove the plastic one through the door opening as well. Takes some working, but it fits. Kinda got to squeeze it sideways. Worked for me. I wasn't going to drop the heater just for that.

 

Or unbolt the dash and pull it forward to install the glove box.

 

Just an update. installing the replacement plastic glove box is in reality quite simple. You take the left end of the box and stick it through the middle of the opening There is enough "give" in the box so it doesn't take but a slight shove to get it in. Push the box back and to the left until the other end is pushed thought the opening. Now it is a simple matter of positioning the box over the mounting flanges. Mark locations of the holes on the box. Remove the box. Drill holes (I use a 1/16 drill bit). Reinstall box and install screws. I soon as I receive the clip nuts I ordered I add those just for a more secure install. Thanks for all your help.

 

Glad you asked before you removed your heater or pulled your dash first.