Brigrat
Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Long story short, I don't have the trail rails and when it is all said and done with an A.R.E. shell on order don't really need them, but in the interim, I was trying to come up with a solution for mounting a shovel in the bed of my gladiator. I was walking down a job site last week and saw some pipe supports that gave me an idea... so off to Lowes I went this weekend.
Shovel: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-20-5-in-Steel-Short-handle-Digging-Shovel/1000377401
Two pipe clamps/supports: https://www.lowes.com/pd/AMERICAN-V...4-in-dia-Galvanized-Split-Ring-Hanger/1244125
6mm-1x40m Allen-Drive Cap Screws: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-6mm-1-x-40mm-Allen-Drive-Cap-Screws-2-Count/50088816 with associated nuts and washers
1/8" thick x 2" Width x 10' Neoprene Rubber Strip for vibration dampening https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L17F6D4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I used the holes in the front of the bed that have the welded nuts on the backside for added strength. On the supports, they call for 3/8" threaded rod, but the M6-1x40mm bolts with a washer and hex head on the inside and a washer and nut on the truck side (washer and two nuts on shovel head side for additional standoff) are nice and tight. See pics for installation.
I've driven for a couple days now and everything is tight, the shovel head stays about 3/8" off the Linex and doesn't move. The Neoprene is not Neoprene foam like wetsuits are made from, it is a fairly hard rubber used for vibration dampening on heavy equipment.
My A.R.E shell will have a roof basket that I will eventually mount the shovel to, but for now, this works well. To access the shovel, you have to unscrew 4 phillips head screws. It takes about 2 minutes. There is virtually zero flex or bend at the truck bed.
Shovel: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-20-5-in-Steel-Short-handle-Digging-Shovel/1000377401
Two pipe clamps/supports: https://www.lowes.com/pd/AMERICAN-V...4-in-dia-Galvanized-Split-Ring-Hanger/1244125
6mm-1x40m Allen-Drive Cap Screws: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-6mm-1-x-40mm-Allen-Drive-Cap-Screws-2-Count/50088816 with associated nuts and washers
1/8" thick x 2" Width x 10' Neoprene Rubber Strip for vibration dampening https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L17F6D4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I used the holes in the front of the bed that have the welded nuts on the backside for added strength. On the supports, they call for 3/8" threaded rod, but the M6-1x40mm bolts with a washer and hex head on the inside and a washer and nut on the truck side (washer and two nuts on shovel head side for additional standoff) are nice and tight. See pics for installation.
I've driven for a couple days now and everything is tight, the shovel head stays about 3/8" off the Linex and doesn't move. The Neoprene is not Neoprene foam like wetsuits are made from, it is a fairly hard rubber used for vibration dampening on heavy equipment.
My A.R.E shell will have a roof basket that I will eventually mount the shovel to, but for now, this works well. To access the shovel, you have to unscrew 4 phillips head screws. It takes about 2 minutes. There is virtually zero flex or bend at the truck bed.
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