New owner, Where do I buy parts

[ticklechicken]

I bought my first Viper a few weeks ago and just started wrenching on it. Last night, I removed a rocker panel to inspect the exhaust, and there were only three of the four screws installed on the bottom of the panel. The problem is that they're all different. The panel had one metric machine screw, one inch machine screw, and one sheet metal screw. Where can I find a microfiche or similar so that I can find out what screw is correct?

I realize I can check the other side and hope they match. I'm asking this as more of a general question for the future. I found this link (https://www.moparpartsoverstock.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=941965&ukey_make=1095&ukey_model=15988&modelYear=1996&ukey_category=22687&ukey_driveLine=9751), but it doesn't list a part number for item 5. All the other online parts lists I found were useless.

[City]

Welcome tickle. I'm sure some of our members will assist you, but you can also contact several of our sponsors on this list for all your Viper needs.

https://driveviper.com/club/sponsors.php

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Identifying and Selling and discussing profit-less generic nuts and bolts for a rare car is a formula to go bankrupt.

But IF you can be patient you can probably find them at www.ViperPartsRackAmerica.com

[ticklechicken]

Thanks guys.

I'm a motorcycle guy and am new to cars. With any of my bikes, I can pull up the full microfiche online. It's very handy. Even if I don't buy the screw from the manufacturer, I can see the description and know the diameter and length. I was hoping Dodge had something similar. If it's not online, is it available for purchase?

[AZTVR]

Thanks guys.

I'm a motorcycle guy and am new to cars. With any of my bikes, I can pull up the full microfiche online. It's very handy. Even if I don't buy the screw from the manufacturer, I can see the description and know the diameter and length. I was hoping Dodge had something similar. If it's not online, is it available for purchase?

The parts lists that I know about are at the following link; but, don't have the detail you are asking for: https://www.roeracing.com/downloads/
On a side note, many folks who think that they might be taking the rocker panels on and off perhaps several times will install Rivnuts and threaded screws. With some threadlocker, that also reduces the possibility of pointed sheet metal screws backing out and ending up in a rear tire.

[dave6666]

Seeing as every hole that has screw type xyz in it probably won't take the OEM screw and hold any more most of us convert all the crappy self tapping screws to rivetnuts and use machine screws and body bolts. Matter of fact that's one of the key elements to fixing and more importantly, making it last, the hood to fascia gap, by properly anchoring the core support to the chassis. They used self tapping screws to hold the nose of the car to the frame. Duh. Fail. I converted everything to rivetnuts and body bolts there too and my front end panel realignment is holding perfectly years strong.

Summary: The factory sill screws are part number 6504580 for $3.19 on line. By the time you buy what you need, have them fall back out and puncture a rear tire, you could have just bought the rivetnut tool.

[SmoknTires]

What he said. If you need a screw that you're now missing, just pick it out of your tires. Happened to me long before it started getting to be common knowledge. Good advice.

[Fatboy 18]

Those screws are self tapping. The problem comes when either they get over tightened and then the thread in the frame rail strips. So the next available size self tapper is used.
Personally the best thing to do is drill out the holes in the frame and fit threaded nut serts (Rivnuts). This then makes removal of the rocker panel a breeze.

[uvbnbit]

Seeing as every hole that has screw type xyz in it probably won't take the OEM screw and hold any more most of us convert all the crappy self tapping screws to rivetnuts and use machine screws and body bolts. Matter of fact that's one of the key elements to fixing and more importantly, making it last, the hood to fascia gap, by properly anchoring the core support to the chassis. They used self tapping screws to hold the nose of the car to the frame. Duh. Fail. I converted everything to rivetnuts and body bolts there too and my front end panel realignment is holding perfectly years strong.

Summary: The factory sill screws are part number 6504580 for $3.19 on line. By the time you buy what you need, have them fall back out and puncture a rear tire, you could have just bought the rivetnut tool.

^^^^ this^^^^ rivet nuts are the way to go on the underside of side sill

[ticklechicken]

Thanks guys. I use rivnuts at work, so I'm familiar. I'll convert the fasteners.

[ticklechicken]

The parts lists that I know about are at the following link; but, don't have the detail you are asking for: https://www.roeracing.com/downloads/
On a side note, many folks who think that they might be taking the rocker panels on and off perhaps several times will install Rivnuts and threaded screws. With some threadlocker, that also reduces the possibility of pointed sheet metal screws backing out and ending up in a rear tire.

Thanks for that link. Although the download doesn't list the part number, it does list the part description as "SCREW,.190-16x.500, Not Serviced". That tells me everything I need to know. Not relevant for this particular screw, since I'm switching to rivnuts, but this will be certainly be helpful in the future.

[98RedGTS]

Dang, guess I need to learn about rivnuts. I hate those dang screws.