Hey guys, on my 98 xj I took my factory roof rack off to start repairing rust by the mounting holes. Some of my repair may require new metal which I may fab or cut out of the JY. I wanted to ask specifically about the mounting nuts. I've been unable to find much information about them. Are these inserts removable? can new ones be found? How do they come out? Basically looking for any information that might help me out.

 

I haven't removed my rack rails for any reason, yet.....

However, if those suckers are anything like the ones that were on my '72 Wagoneer, many expletives are required to remove them.
I think Heli-Coil, and others, manufacture an insert that can be used for replacement. And you might even be able to get the originals (for a price) from Chrysler.

Many, non-expletive, names for these: jack nuts, nutserts, rivnuts, etc.
Given that it's on the roof, and moisture prone, you might consider Heli-Coil Well Nuts. If you're not concerned about leaks, jack nuts would be your least expensive route. They're available at even the most rinkydink hardware stores.

 

If you are welding anyway just find a nut that works and tack it onto the inside

 

This will work. The nut is a threaded rivet that the out on there. I forgot what they are called but if you do a search there was another thread on here about it.

 

They call them a riv nut or nutsert

 

anyone have any idea what size it is? I have digit nuts at work. And the tool to install them. whatever the stock ones appear a little different it seem to have rubber or plastic on them

 

Measure the hole and measure the thread pitch on a non-corroded screw from one of the other mountings. If you have access to a "digit" (whatever that is) nut, you probably have access to a thread pitch gage and a set of calipers.

(The plastic, or rubber, on the old ones is to seal the opening and keep moisture out.)

 

Sorry to bring this back, i typed this last message from my phone and it auto corrected "rivit" to "digit." I just say this and couldn't stand looking foolish