Flashlight mod (I need help)

Ok, so I'll be the first to admit I'm not the best with tools and hardware and all that, but really?

So I picked up some 5/8" rivets today as was mentioned in the flashlight mod to drivers seat and for the life of me I can't figure out how the rivet is going to hold the flashlight clip in place. Can anyone take a picture of the mount really close up so I can figure out what it looks like? Do you use the rivet and screws included in the clip package?

Problem 1.) I have no idea how to use a rivet, so I'm only guessing. (This needs to be addressed immediately.)

Problem 2.) The 5/8" rivet seems to be WAY too long and will no doubt not allow the Maglite to go into the clip when installed.

Problem 3.) There is no resistance when I get the rivet punched through the plastic so pushing on the rivet will simply make it slide even further backwards and that means I will not have a snug tight fit.

Problem 4.) I don't have the balls to drill into the plastic and hope my fingers are small enough to just complete this mod with a nut and bolt.

Any and all help is very much appreciated (PM me or reply), I would really like to figure this out by tonight, even if it gets dark, seeing as I now own a 3D LED Maglite

I can take pictures of these rivets I bought if someone needs a closer look at them, until then I'll try and figure out how the hell to use them correctly.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods.html

 

I lined up the brackets, drilled through the plastic side panel on the seat, and used 2 5/8" rivets to mount each one.

Yeah, that's just not enough information to help my dumb ass out.

I don't understand how to mount the clip using a 5/8" rivet. Its got to be ridiculously easy, but I still don't know. ...and yes I'm embarrassed.

 

You need a pop rivet gun (tool) to use a pop rivet.

If you don't have one I would just use 2 bolts with washers on the back side behind the plastic.

 

Thanks. Yeah, I definitely don't have a pop rivet gun and even if I did I would not know how to use it.

So I should go with the bolt/washer/nut combo? Anyone had troubles getting their hands, or a wrench back behind the seat plastic, it looks like a real tight squeeze?

 

Pop rivet guns are pretty easy to use. You push forward on the head of the gun and pump the handles until it seats (the nail looking piece will break off). When it's pulled through the rivet, the nail expands the rivet so that it clamps down on the other side. Just make sure the tip pressed up tight against the mount when you squeeze the handles (otherwise it will be loose). Try a few rivets on a piece of plastic until you get a feel for how it works. You'll want to drill a hold just large enough for the rivet to fit in.

 

Here's how I did my flashlight mod,no rivets needed.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252438&highlight=budget+mods

 

when i bought my bracket it came with 2 small screws for each bracket and i just screwed into the plastic and it holds my 4 D maglite really really well.

 

Personally I'd avoid the rivets if possible. Makes it harder to fix if need be in the future. Find some nice bolts and use a backing plate like on the link BUZZ posted. Just my opinion.

 

I tried to use some rivets at first but I just found that it was a pain in the butt, so I just used the screws that came with the brackets and it holds like a champ.

 

That's what I did as well.

 

My flashlight mod was just throwing one of my spare Surefires into the center console...

 

me too.

I would like to get a rechargable Streamlight and mount the charger on the seat. Wire it to charge the Streamlight whenever it is connected.

Similar to this, but on the side of the seat.

 

I love my surefire it just burns through the batteries like crazy so i will stick to my maglite for now.

 

I did that with my Mini-Mag.

 

Nice setup what is this setup on?