Naked...

[Leon R]

Believe it or not, I didn't damage or lose a single "push in" fastener!

However, I destroyed pretty much ALL plastic screw-in "rivet" fasteners (as used on the bottom of the rocker panel trim). I am not a stranger those fasteners, but they would ether strip right a way, or turn without actually coming out... Since you can't get behind the "rivet" and squeeze it, I ended up drilling them out . So I ether need to get new from Merlin or find alternatives from some other source.

What have you guys used in place of original rivets in the wheel archers?

[tysamigo]

Believe it or not, I didn't damage or lose a single "push in" fastener!

However, I destroyed pretty much ALL plastic screw-in "rivet" fasteners (as used on the bottom of the rocker panel trim). I am not a stranger those fasteners, but they would ether strip right a way, or turn without actually coming out... Since you can't get behind the "rivet" and squeeze it, I ended up drilling them out . So I ether need to get new from Merlin or find alternatives from some other source.

What have you guys used in place of original rivets in the wheel archers?

As I was saying below... I have the part numbers at home for what you need. I'll post later on when I'm off work.

Regarding the rivets...I don't think they are necessary. I brought this discuss up recently...

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=24325


Since then I have found a better solution. There is a small black fastener that is only found in a handful of places on the whole truck. One is just about the driver's head area. The interior side panel, up at the very top, and to the very front there is a black cap that covers a hole. Inside the hole is a small black fastener. This fits the rivet holes perfectly.

When you fasten the cladding pieces in the tire well areas, I also replaced the body bolts AND the threaded pieces they go into (don't know what they are called).

Now that all grommets, body bolts, fasteners, etc. are new I tried replacing all cladding pieces (without using tape obviously) and everything is tight and perfect. I don't think the rivets are needed and instead I will just use these black fasteners. I'll post that part number later as well.

By the way, I have about a dozen of the rivets that I got from Merlin for sale if anyone is interested.

[tysamigo]

The VX primarily uses 2 types of 3M tape:

For cladding pieces
3M Automotive Acrylic Plus Attachment Tape, 7/8" wide and .045" thick
3M Part# 06383

For Windshield cowling, for the weatherstripping that goes down each side of the VX on top of the roof (assuming the original tape is bad) and for other misc areas where the smaller tape was used
3M Nameplate Repair Tape, .23" wide and .30" thick
3M Part# 06385

When using either of these tapes, you will also need to use this product PRIOR to putting down the tape
3M Automotive Adhesion Promoter
Specially used for plastic trim attachments with 3M Acrylic Foam Tapes
3M Part# 06396
--------------------------

Grommets
2 style grommets are used on the whole VX (except door sill area), however I've replaced all grommets with just one style (the deeper of the 2)

Larger (deeper) of the 2 grommets
Nylon Screw Grommet
Stem Length 20mm
Used everywhere that a cladding screw is needed (except for the 2 dummie screws in the front, and the screws for driver/passenger door)
Auveco Part# 21324

Smaller of the 2 grommets
Nylong Screw Grommet
Used to attach door cladding pieces to body, but these can be replaced with the larger grommets. Also used in 1 place (where it really does need to be used) on the back door, just about the lock cylinder.
Auveco Part# 20303
--------------------------

Retainers

Used for tire well areas
Nylon Push-Type Retainer
Fits into 7mm hole
Auveco Part# 14727

Used a few times in tire well area, used x1 per each door sill
Nylon Push-Type Retainer
Fits into 8mm hole
Head Diam 20mm
Auveco Part# 17216

Used to attach rubber seal to bottom of driver/passenger door, used to attach small cladding piece to bottom of door frame area just outside of door sill
Nylon Push-Type Retainer
Fits 8mm hole
Head Diam 18mm
Auveco Part# 17632

Both are used frequently throughout the VX in various places. I just bought a box of each to have.
Retaining Clip
Auveco Part# 0162641
Auveco Part# 0162598

This is what I'm using to plug the RIVET HOLES, Auveco Part# 0162598

In regards to the PUSH PIN CLIPS that are used to attach the cladding pieces AND for the grommets that they clip into... I have not found a replacement source. I ordered these from Merlin.

MISC
Extruded U Nuts
When you are screwing in the body bolts into the VX, this is what you are screwing into. Replace these with new body bolts if you want a smooth transition when removing/replacing screws.
Screw Size 13.5mm Hole Ctr to edge
For M6 screws
Auveco Part# 11628

Body Bolts
M6 - 1.0 x 25MM
purchased from Fastenal

Hood Insulation Retainers
Auveco Part# 0162633

Trim Panel Retainer
Used to attach interior panels. These are LONGER than original to accomadate the Dynomat & DynaLiner that I've installed. If you need longer retainers, use these
Auveco Part# 17102