robbieg

I am going to be mounting an air compressor and tank under the truck. I have decided on a spot and will be using one of the aluminum cross sections under the bed. What type of hardware is safe to use on the aluminum, what type of nuts and bolts should I be looking for.

tmcolegr

Attaching Accessories to Aluminum Panels and Structure

Ricktwuhk

Stainless hardware ideally with a plastic sleeve and plastic washer. Thus the hardware never touches the aluminum.

RceRdFX4

Probably best, and paint the holes after you drill too or coat with silicone so it seals off the bare aluminum to prevent corrosion

robbieg

Just as an FYI for others that are looking for info on this the above posted file specifically says not to use RTV silicone.

RceRdFX4

This is true scratch the silicone idea, aluminum rivets may also be a good option

hawgwildterry

I did what you are contemplating and used a single stainless steel self tapping screw that came in the Air Lift kit and mounted the manifold on the aluminum cross-member. I've been thinking I need to use a different type of screw. I understand using a plastic washer but not sure about a plastic sleeve. How would a plastic sleeve work with the stainless steel self tapping screw?

Ricktwuhk

If you use a self-tapping screw then a sleeve is both irrelevant and defeats the self-tapping idea. As would a washer - the self-tapping means you're meshing the stainless and the aluminum, so why isolate the head of the screw?

hawgwildterry

Understood. Going to see if I can locate locally an aluminum self tapping screw to replace the stainless one. The other option is to move the manifold to the steel spare tire cross-member and reroute the air lines. Just need to get off my butt and do something.