Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

...thanks for taking the time to respond! The "snap links"..what are these? Are they a Home Depot item? Or, Auto supply store?
Again, thanks!

Saint

Saint,

Glad to help!

The snap links are used for a lot of things. The ones that I have are military issue for mountain climbing. You can buy them at hardware stores and at boat stores. They are used to connect two pieces of chain. You don't need to only consider those. There are other items that you can get that may work just as well. (I am drawing a blank on their name right now but they look like a U shaped chain link that has a wing bolt through the open end to close it.) They should be cheap too. Just tell the Home Depot guy that you need to connect two pieces of chain. They can get you what you need!

You know, you may have seen the snap links, but don't know what to call them. Miniatures are sold as impulse items in bright colors - a lot of folks use them to clip their car keys to their belt loops on their pants. Another name for them is D ring. You can get a locking D ring if you are concerned about it coming open. The D rings are available in sporting goods stores...

Sid

carabiners, though I'm not sure about the spelling.

You can also use a padlock. Use the biggest you have/can buy that fits through the middle of the links in the chain. Shorten the chain by running the "U" of the lock through the middle of the links you want and close the lock up.

<big grin> Don't bother using tie wraps. </big grin>

No, don't use the caribeeners. Those are those C-shpaed aluminum spring clasps... The will not hold the heavy wieght of the car. No offense Jibha...

I think Sid is talking about the twist links for connecting chain ends. Yes, I belive those are what Sid is talking about. A set of those are much cheaper and argueably stronger than most locks.

No offense taken. I was only trying to name the item that Sid was trying to remember. I would never suggest using climbing caribeeners to hold anything heavier than yourself, and even for that you want to make sure you have real climbing ones, not the ones that are sold in line at the hardware store. There is a good style of caribeener for attaching chains, it has a bolt that slides up and threads to hold it. We use those type all the time, to haul tractors up hillsides, for instance. If you use a padlock, make sure it's a good, heavy duty lock, like a Master or American. I've seen cheap ones bend. Kinda hard to get off at that point

Actually, the correct term for the snap links is Carabiner (sp?) and that is exactly what I used and would strongly recommend for the application described. The ones that I have are no aluminum, but rather they are steel and designed for rappelling and mountain climbing. They are quite stout. All that I used them for is to hold the tail gate in an up position while the vehicle was being towed. We are talking a VERY low stress situation there.

The item that I cannot find the name for has an end link that screws through it. They are more sturdy than a snap link, but for holding the tail gate up either will do. The locking D rings (the ones Jibha described with the screw lock) are overkill, but not out of the question.

I used heavy duty ratchet straps to hold the car in place.

"....The item that I cannot find the name for has an end link that screws through it. "

Are you talking about a shackle? They're usually galvanized steel and come in many sizes w/ different weight/load capacities.

Used 'em all the time for heavy loads whilst I was in the US Navy, and see them now in stainless steel and small sizes for use in sailing.

That's it!