Rivets in Lids !!!!

[Ranger 85]

As It Is starting to get colder in Wisc. I winterized my 1985 350V Ranger early. Took out all the lids and took up carpet to get a start on replacement in the spring. Seen the posts on this site for all the tricks on replacing the carpet and they really will help. My question is this, the covers have rivets holding the hinges on to the lids I drilled them and the tops came off so hinges is off but these are like two part covers and the inner part of rivet is between the two layers. If I try to drill them they just keep spinning around. Kind of at a loss as to how any one got around this problem. If I drill over size new rivets would not fit?? Any help will be well accepted. !!!! This site is really great and I'm sure someone will Help!!!!!!!

[1outlaw]

You might look on Northern tools website...They actually make a drill bit for rivits to hold them in place while drilling them out.
Me being a auto mechanic. I have ALOT of money invested in tools...I used a small die grinder to grind the heads off.....The die grinder came in helpfull for removing old glue as well with 50 grit 2" pads.
And also using a wire brush attachment on my air drill to get out glue in corners and crevisies

[Ranger 85]

Thanks for the ideas. I also was an auto mechanic for 40 plus years and I still have all those tools !!!! The die grinder w/pads is a good thought and I will do that to help with old glue but the drill bit for rivets won't work on these lids. The lids are like two parts glued together so the back side of revit is between both pieces. If I use the drill you thought of the holes will be over size and than new reivets won't work. I also had thought that if I drilled out back side of cover I could get them out but the hinges are mounted high on the cover and this won't give me any access to them.

[johnsinbelton]

I have used a pair of needlenose pliers to hold them while I drilled enough of them out so that I can pry them out between the two covers...hope this helps...

DeSean

[Ranger 85]

O.K. I knew it might take awhile for the right person to see this but as always this site has came thru. Sorry it took a few days to get back to you on this but work came first. I tried your idea and after fighting with getting carpet out from between covers the idea of the needle noise is going to work out fine. After removing the rivets I did find that I am going to have to drill slighty into inner cover for new rivet clearence but this will get coverd up by new carpet being wraped inside of the lid. <U>Great suggestion and I thank you for the help !!!! </U>

[johnsinbelton]

Anytime, if you use the 3/16 medium length rivets they will work out fine....just be sure to use the washers between the lid and cover and keep it tight up against the liid wall and you wont have any troubles.... good luck....

DeSean