Removed a Stripped / Crossthreaded OEM Frame Bolt while installing sliders

Installing Cali Raised Trail Edition Rocksliders today, or maybe not.

Advice much appreciated!

One of the stock frame bolts (underside of the frame at the frame cross member) was super hard to remove, it came out at an angle and I realized it was crossthreaded. (See photo)
There is a nut welded to the frame to receive this bolt. The nut is also effed.

The one on the other side is good. So I can use it to find out the correct thread type / bolt size.

Should I go get a tap and die kit to clean out the factory nut?
Get a new bolt or clean the threads?
This seems like a critical frame assembly component.

Honestly, I’ve never used a tap and die.
I’ve also never cross threaded a bolt while removing it, so I’m comfortable blaming this one on the factory.

 

Tap it out with the same size tap and some oil.

 

Tap and die kit and new bolt. I had a similar mishap with a rear bumper on a taco once. The bolt stripped while taking it out so I used a tap an die kit and new bolt to avoid any hassles later on

 

Might could get a heli coil to thread right back in there then new bolt.

 

I'd tap it out and if I could reach above it, add another nut of the same size on top.

 

Can also try an EZ-Lok in that same thread size

 

Get a tap, clamp of threads in the frame. Install a new bolt.

 

Thanks for the tips!
A new bolt and tapping the nut in the frame did the trick.
Back in action.

 

We need to put all of these threads that have success in their own sticky page listed by the problem. That way when someone has a problem they can search and find viable solutions that have already been tested and found to work.

 

If your picture is showing the cross member that I think it is - that bolt is there to hold the assembly together while the rest of the cross member is riveted in place during fabrication. Not as important of a bolt as you might think, but definitely good to get it back in place. Plus, you now have a new skill of using a tap.

On second thought check those rivets on the side rail to make sure they are secure.