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DIY Bedrail System

Mikegcny

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Like some others, I decided to build my own bedrail system out of unistrut. I think it came out pretty OEM looking.

I purchased all of the material from McMaster Carr for about $130.00
In addition to the material listed, you will need some M6 1mm x 25mm long screws and some rubber washers for the lifting eyes. I also put some polyethylene that I had laying around from making table saw jigs on the back of the runner.

Future Design Notes
  • I am going to remove the springs from the strut channel nuts because they make it difficult to re position the slider.
  • I ordered some custom stainless ratchet straps in red to match the truck.
  • I am working on a fishing rod holder that will use knobs to attach to the rails.
  • I am working on a bed divider system that will attach to the rails.

IMG_20200208_082932.jpg
IMG_20200208_082951.jpg
IMG_20200208_083011.jpg
IMG_20200208_083113.jpg
IMG_20200207_180716.jpg
mcmas.png
mcmas2.png
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Gatorized

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Like some others, I decided to build my own bedrail system out of unistrut. I think it came out pretty OEM looking.

I purchased all of the material from McMaster Carr for about $130.00
In addition to the material listed, you will need some M6 1mm x 25mm long screws and some rubber washers for the lifting eyes. I also put some polyethylene that I had laying around from making table saw jigs on the back of the runner.

Future Design Notes
  • I am going to remove the springs from the strut channel nuts because they make it difficult to re position the slider.
  • I ordered some custom stainless ratchet straps in red to match the truck.
  • I am working on a fishing rod holder that will use knobs to attach to the rails.
  • I am working on a bed divider system that will attach to the rails.

IMG_20200208_082932.jpg
IMG_20200208_082951.jpg
IMG_20200208_083011.jpg
IMG_20200208_083113.jpg
IMG_20200207_180716.jpg
mcmas.png
mcmas2.png
Thx!
 

Rubinator919

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Like some others, I decided to build my own bedrail system out of unistrut. I think it came out pretty OEM looking.

I purchased all of the material from McMaster Carr for about $130.00
In addition to the material listed, you will need some M6 1mm x 25mm long screws and some rubber washers for the lifting eyes. I also put some polyethylene that I had laying around from making table saw jigs on the back of the runner.

Future Design Notes
  • I am going to remove the springs from the strut channel nuts because they make it difficult to re position the slider.
  • I ordered some custom stainless ratchet straps in red to match the truck.
  • I am working on a fishing rod holder that will use knobs to attach to the rails.
  • I am working on a bed divider system that will attach to the rails.

IMG_20200208_082932.jpg
IMG_20200208_082951.jpg
IMG_20200208_083011.jpg
IMG_20200208_083113.jpg
IMG_20200207_180716.jpg
mcmas.png
mcmas2.png
Well done, sir! I like your solution with the "sit on top" strut channel washers even better than mine with the regular square washers!
 
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Mikegcny

Mikegcny

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I like your solution with the "sit on top" strut channel washers even better than mine with the regular square washers!
Thanks. The only slight problem with the washer I used is that they barely clear the body colored tabs in the back by the knockout. Not a huge deal because they do slide past them, they just rub. You can always take them off the track and re-position as opposed to sliding them past.
 
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Excellent @Mikegcny!!! You just validated why I didn’t spend $1K for the trail rail option!

So the M6s are what attach the unistrut to the bedsides? Nutserts I presume?
 
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Mikegcny

Mikegcny

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So the M6s are what attach the unistrut to the bedsides? Nutserts I presume?
Yes. You will need 12 of the M6 screws. You can use 20 mm length. The bed sides and bulkhead are already tapped so no need to use nutserts.

I did run an M6 tap through before I put the screws in because I have a spray in bed liner, which plugs up the holes quite a bit.

I used outdoor masking tape to make a hole pattern rather than measuring. I then transferred the tape to the back of each rail and drilled out on my drill press. I did notice that the hole pattern on the bulkhead was not symetric.
 

jurfie

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That looks great! Did you paint the strut, or is it powder coated?
 

Gatorized

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My bed rail kit from BuiltRight just showed up - planning on installing this weekend - however factory bed liner has been sprayed in by the factory - some of the bolt holes have some liner over/in them - any suggestions on fast and easy way to clean out the bolt holes from the factory spray in bed-liner ?
@kosmos - It would be nice to have all the bed rail systems in one post for comparison of measurements - could you measure the inside of the channel and slot to add to the list. I’ve linked below the McMaster DIY info along with the Mopar trail Rails.
Like some others, I decided to build my own bedrail system out of unistrut. I think it came out pretty OEM looking.

I purchased all of the material from McMaster Carr for about $130.00
  • I added some M6 1mm x 25mm long screws and some rubber washers for the lifting eyes. I also put some polyethylene from making table saw jigs on the back of the runner..
IMG_20200208_082951.jpg
IMG_20200208_083011.jpg
IMG_20200207_180716.jpg
mcmas.png
mcmas2.png


The t nut dims are all on the product page on Amazon.com.
Screenshot_20200225-095003.png


Perfect timing - here are the Trail Rail dimensions as provided by @Zebago - now we need to determine which Stainless Steel T-Nuts fit best...
rail-measurment-jpg.jpg

6.35mm= .25= 1/4
10mm= .394= 3/8
16mm= .629= 5/8
31mm= 1.22= 1 1/4
Link:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...or-me-gladiator-rack.27705/page-4#post-458355

McMaster rails
AD433563-4D96-48E2-A55F-7AA4140EA448.jpeg
 
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Mikegcny

Mikegcny

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@kosmos - It would be nice to have all the bed rail systems in one post for comparison of measurements - could you measure the inside of the channel and slot to add to the list. I’ve linked below the McMaster DIY info along with the Mopar trail Rails.
Is there are Wiki on this site? I think it would be a good idea to create a wiki of things like this. So many times I have to dig through forums and read the entire thread to put together a clear picture of what to do.

ex: On a Sport model, how to trim the 'closure panels'; How to replace your speakers.
 

spazzyfry123

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Is there are Wiki on this site? I think it would be a good idea to create a wiki of things like this. So many times I have to dig through forums and read the entire thread to put together a clear picture of what to do.

ex: On a Sport model, how to trim the 'closure panels'; How to replace your speakers.
I LOVE when forums do this.
 

2004blackwrx

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The rails look great. I am thinking of doing the same thing. My main questions is how will this work with accessories designed for the MOPAR bed rails. I would hate to do all this to save some money and then be stuck with rails that can't be used with cool accessories.
 

jhale1800

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