DIY Bed Rail System

[injaneer]

Very nice. I made a similar set up last year to hold two bike trays above the bed. Where did you find those end caps?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MKS3QMG?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Sponsored

 

[Cap10Glad]

Very nice work. Great color Gladiator, too.
I have a Rubicon and am on the fence about painting the strut black, blue or red.
I really like your anchor idea, also.
I have end caps that are blue from HD.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Cap10Glad]

What are the blue things around the unistrut nuts?

 

[injaneer]

They came from the home store.

The blue ring sits on the outside of the strut, and the medal part is twisted behind the lip of the strut. This keeps the nut on the strut but not touching the back so I can slide them. The springs that you can get push agains the back of the strut so they have to be removed and re-installed instead of sliding them.

Added another photo

 

[Ar4130]

They came from the home store.

The blue ring sits on the outside of the strut, and the medal part is twisted behind the lip of the strut. This keeps the nut on the strut but not touching the back so I can slide them. The springs that you can get push agains the back of the strut so they have to be removed and re-installed instead of sliding them.

Much better than the spring nuts. They are terrible

 

[AleYeah]

Great design and attention to detail, mate.

 

[Cap10Glad]

They came from the home store.

The blue ring sits on the outside of the strut, and the medal part is twisted behind the lip of the strut. This keeps the nut on the strut but not touching the back so I can slide them. The springs that you can get push agains the back of the strut so they have to be removed and re-installed instead of sliding them.

Added another photo

Thanks!

 

[SSinGA]

Excellent DIY mod idea!! Thx for sharing.

 

[amoyer_01]

Might be cheaper to use the hardtop thumbscrew set from GPCA. It provides 6 thumbscrews and the D-rings for tie downs, just need the spring nut.

https://gpca.com/shop/gp-star-hardtop-cover-quick-release-thumbscrew-set/

 

[injaneer]

As some have mentioned, the straight spray paint is probably not the way to go. Mine are getting a bit chipped up where I used the tie downs and anchor the cross bars. I powder coat or bed liner material maybe my next path at making the struts look complete. I am still considering bed liner in the back, so want to get an estimate on both at the same time. Will let you know if I change them. But still happy with the results even with a few chips on the paint.

 

[JohnnyFamous]

What size / thread bolts to mount to the bed?

 

[Biggy]

What size / thread bolts to mount to the bed?

M6 x1.0

 

[2wheeldrive]

I prefer to keep my stuff (motorcycles/bicycles) inside the bed area.

 

[Rossi D]

I used the flatter unistrut thinking it would be more stealthy. Only to realize that anything that is meant to mount to the bedrail won't work because it's tucked under the bed contours.

 

[MPMB]

I used the flatter unistrut thinking it would be more stealthy. Only to realize that anything that is meant to mount to the bedrail won't work because it's tucked under the bed contours.

I finally put my half-height struts on, just the sides. The other problem is "everything" is designed for the full size depth. I realized the eyebolts I have need to be either spaced out or the threads shortened.

I'd suggest looking into some bushings to help space things out beyond/flush with the rail.

Now to dive into the hardware needed.

Sponsored