It turns out not all the hardware is grade 8 :-(

So I was looking over the installation instructions for some rock sliders that I ordered from RCI and I noticed that they changed some of the hardware on the older installation instructions vs the newer installation instructions for my 2020 Tacoma Double Cab, Long Bed... they change was that before they were using 10x 7/16"x1.5" bolts but now 4 of those bolts changed to slightly longer 2" bolts instead of 1.5 inch bolts.

So I went to my local Home Depot to see if they sell the longer bolts, no go, they said that they dont carry that size bolt and referred me to a place called American Fasteners which did have the bolts but in Stainless Steel (which is grade 2 it turns out). I contacted RCI and they said that the longer 2" bolts were added to help make the installation easier but that the previous 1.5" bolts should work fine, tomorrow im going to have a shop install the sliders, hopefully they dont have any issues with the 1.5" bolts that RCI sent me since the only 7/16"x2" bolts that I could find were grade 2 (stainless steel)

Anyhow I just wanted to share my story and what I learned about bolts and hardware, I found this article about how to tell what grade each bolt is: https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/materials-and-grades/materials.aspx

the ones that RCI sent me look like this (Grade 5):



even though on their product page it says (Grade 8 hardware where applicable):

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/2016-tacoma-rock-sliders/

I'll post back tomorrow after the install is done to let you guys know how it went and my overall experience with the company as a first time customer and first time Tacoma owner.

Edit 1: I was browsing Google, eBay, Amazon, etc to see if I could find Grade 8 bolts for sale anywhere and I was only seeing huge cases of bolts for sale for insane prices but then I stumbled upon these links on Advanced Auto Parts where they sell the individual grade 8 bolts:


7/16 In.-14 X 2 In = https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/dorman-hex-bolt-grade-8-7-16-in.-14-x-2-in.-960-320d/11910834-P

Sadly though the ones that are sold by Advanced Auto Parts in 2 inch long size arent fully threaded like the ones that came with the sliders that were 1.5 inch long.

They also sell the 1.5 inch grade 8 bolts (fully threaded): https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...8-7-16-in.-14-x-1-1-2-in.-960-315d/11910750-P

if you feel like replacing the Grade 5 bolts that RCI sends with Grade 8.

Advance Auto Parts also sells 3 inch long versions (fully threaded): https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/dorman-hex-bolt-grade-8-7-16-in.-14-x-3-in.-960-830d/11910757-P but it might be too long if you go with the 3 inch version.

 

Got my sliders installed today by a 4x4 shop, they turned out better than I thought the 4x4 shop said that they had to drill some holes in my frame because the 2020 Tacoma's with the Double Cab, Long Bed didnt have all the holes that the sliders had on them for mounting and the shop didnt feel like they were secure enough with only 1 bottom bolt (they installed 3 bottom bolts per side) and like 5 side bolts on each side:



The 4x4 shop also decided to weld this piece to the place where it goes attached (they said its better to weld it on there for added strength):



Originally I was pissed that they had drilled holes into the frame and welded those pieces into the place where it goes without asking my permission first but after seeing the final result I was happy. RCI made a very good product, I just wish that their hardware was all grade 8 instead of grade 5 (just a suggestion).

 

As a retired master mechanic I've learned that grade 8 bolts are not always the best choice for every application. If the bolt is dealing with lots of vibration such as an idler arm pulley, a grade 8 bolt may crack and break because it's too hard for the specific application, a quality grade 5 may be a better choice from an engineering standpoint because it's less brittle and has some give.

 

For future reference, if you have Tractor Supply Co in your area, you can buy grade 8 as well as other bolts there. They have open bins, pull what you need, put in a bag, pay by the pound. Best source I have found for common sizes over the years. Ace Hardware usually good too but more $$ and selection varies widely store to store.

Edit. Also, like he said, sometimes it's better to bend a grade 5 bolt than to break something that a grade 8 was attached to.

 

McMaster-carr is an amazing website for hardware

 

yup.....
Had a medical transport hospital van conversion...
kept drilling broken alternator hold down bolts from the block, it was a conversion with dual as so they relocated the alternator AC part of the conversion.
re-did the job multiple times...
my grade 8 bolts from my bulk bin kept coming back busted off.....

Called the conversion company & thats how it went down...
Needed their specific softer bolts, was fixed after that..

 

To the wise wolf, wise man would call rei & run it by them, see if theres a reason or they couldn't source, cheaper out, etc....
Would suck to drill & extract due to broken bolt from vibrations, they may be aware of something youre not...
may be intentional...