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DIY: Unistrut Bed Rails - Cheaper option than OEM

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by csuviper, Jun 8, 2015.

  1. Jun 4, 2019 at 5:37 AM
    #151
    vq35721

    vq35721 New Member

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    No problem at all :thumbsup:
     
  2. Jun 4, 2019 at 7:22 AM
    #152
    Topherwv

    Topherwv New Member

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    Nice, is this what you used?

    SmartSelect_20190604-102152_Amazon Shopping.jpg
     
    BillT likes this.
  3. Jun 4, 2019 at 9:08 AM
    #153
    Savagebass

    Savagebass New Member

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    Front and rear leveling kit Front window tint DIY bedrails Blackout badges
    Mine is the same with the factory installed bedliner. How did you find the predrilled holes? Did you use anything special to clean them.out?
     
  4. Jun 4, 2019 at 9:45 AM
    #154
    phabej

    phabej New Member

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    Yes! These go into the rails of my Chevy I traded in but just remove the back plate and use the m6x1.0 screw, easy. pretty secure.

    I'm thinking about using 3m double sided table on the mounts won't move around but it seems very secure so.. we'll see.
     
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  5. Jun 4, 2019 at 9:48 AM
    #155
    phabej

    phabej New Member

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    I did a feeler test used a screw driver you'll feel it depress a little. It's quite soft, I just use a drill bit to press in and then proceeded to use a razor blade to gently cut into it. I didn't remove all the material, I was able to thread the m6x1 screw into it without any issues.

    I will probably replace the screw with black screws in the future so it'll match better.
     
    Savagebass[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Jun 4, 2019 at 10:10 AM
    #156
    jeffw6236

    jeffw6236 New Member

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    Installed these in my first tundra. A cheap easy and really functional mod. Just got a new tundra and the holes had a little of the bed liner spray in the hole. I took one screw to be a sacrificial lamb. Got the grinder out and cut a little notch across the first few threads. That gave the threads in the screw a little biting edge. Worked great to clean out the screw holes once you locate them.
     
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  7. Jun 4, 2019 at 11:14 AM
    #157
    shhernandez74

    shhernandez74 New Member

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    That interesting. Mine has bedliner in the holes too and was thinking about how to do it. Can you post a picture once you cut out the notches?
     
  8. Jun 4, 2019 at 11:36 AM
    #158
    vq35721

    vq35721 New Member

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    Wonder if they will slide in the SuperStrut without the bolt :confused:
     
  9. Jun 4, 2019 at 12:13 PM
    #159
    jeffw6236

    jeffw6236 New Member

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    Sure. I used a M6 x 1.0 x 16 screw. I just hit it once with a cutting blade. Screw it into the hole and it cuts the paint. Go slow. May back to back it out and try again. But it worked great.

    C24ADC89-AE9C-404B-A85C-E3CB40ACCC38.jpg
     
  10. Jun 4, 2019 at 1:22 PM
    #160
    phabej

    phabej New Member

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    I haven't tried it.. LOL I was at lowes and had the anchor in my pocket and didn't try it. :rolleyes:

    Guess I was thinking of not using the superstruts.
     
  11. Jun 4, 2019 at 2:21 PM
    #161
    vq35721

    vq35721 New Member

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    Yes you were right there! Hahaha . Love the Mod. Thank goodness for the OP, saved me some money lol. I’m using mine for my rack and RTT.7DD12C41-70C6-4C18-88CA-47984D855947.jpg
     
    Squatting Pigeon likes this.
  12. Jun 4, 2019 at 4:25 PM
    #162
    Midnite72

    Midnite72 Anything DIRT !!

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    Great write up @csuviper !!

    Yea a little late to the party on this one
    :facepalm:
    Going to definitely do this DIY mod after I get back on my feet from foot surgery happening in two weeks !

    Thx again :bowdown:
     
  13. Jun 4, 2019 at 5:03 PM
    #163
    Savagebass

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    Thanks Phabej! I had no idea the material was so soft. Your instructions worked great. Posting a couple pics in case it will help the next guy with a bed liner. Mine was factory installed and they appeared to have stuffed paper into the holes prior to spraying in the liner to make this a lot easier... gotta love Toyota.

    20190604_193458.jpg 20190604_193522.jpg 20190604_193908.jpg
     
  14. Jun 4, 2019 at 5:04 PM
    #164
    aRabidLunatic

    aRabidLunatic Professional Hobo

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    Probably taped over the holes
     
  15. Jun 4, 2019 at 7:58 PM
    #165
    phabej

    phabej New Member

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    Awesome that's all I did too. I've seen videos where they can just rip out the entire spray on liner after cutting it with a razor blade. Peels off like an orange.

    Glad you got it working. Thanks for updating the thread with photos.

    In the future I may add the superstrut, and add brackets so I can put a basket on top of my tonneau cover for camping and traveling trips.
     
  16. Jun 6, 2019 at 12:08 PM
    #166
    mroughton

    mroughton New Member

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    Someone previously asked for idea attachments instead of using the over priced OEM cleats. You could fabricate something better using a 1/2" spring strut nut, 1/2" bolt and a d-ring tie down anchor (1,000lbs break point) from Amazon (https://tinyurl.com/y3wf6tyj).

    [​IMG]
     
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    vq35721 and mlucas555 like this.
  17. Jun 12, 2019 at 1:59 PM
    #167
    Savagebass

    Savagebass New Member

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    Front and rear leveling kit Front window tint DIY bedrails Blackout badges
    Unistrut top grip nut from Menards.20190612_165413.jpg 20190612_165432.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  18. Jun 12, 2019 at 2:03 PM
    #168
    Savagebass

    Savagebass New Member

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    20190612_165359.jpg Velcro strap from Menards... storage for my tow strap for pulling Chevys out of the ditch.
     
  19. Jun 13, 2019 at 4:46 AM
    #169
    Savagebass

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  20. Jun 14, 2019 at 7:15 AM
    #170
    ZTundra

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    Would you happen to know what the length was of the M6 x 1 bolt that you used?
     
  21. Jun 14, 2019 at 7:24 AM
    #171
    jeffw6236

    jeffw6236 New Member

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    I used M6 x 1 x 16
     
  22. Jun 14, 2019 at 7:26 AM
    #172
    shhernandez74

    shhernandez74 New Member

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    I picked up a set of OEM rails for 20 bucks!!! I just had to provide my own screws
     
  23. Jun 23, 2019 at 6:19 AM
    #173
    New2Tundra

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    Has anyone had any experience with bed covers that leverage the rail kit? Will using the DIY method work for those bed covers?

    Thanks!
     
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  24. Jun 23, 2019 at 7:41 AM
    #174
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

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    Yes you should be able to make it work. I have a smittybilt trifold cover and I just had to add washers to the backside of the mounts for it to work
     
  25. Jun 23, 2019 at 8:04 PM
    #175
    Randy Morton

    Randy Morton Life takes its toll, please have exact change.

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    What if you spaced out the rails and used some plywood sheets to make the top? I've been toying with this idea/hair-brained-scheme.
     
  26. Jun 25, 2019 at 5:02 AM
    #176
    shhernandez74

    shhernandez74 New Member

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    I was going to go this route, but I found a set of OEM rails on Facebook for $20!

    4D4E487D-2E63-44B1-AEDB-421319167B81.jpg 4C85D03B-13F7-4026-BB5F-0052C7E36DBD.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2019
  27. Jun 25, 2019 at 5:03 AM
    #177
    Squatting Pigeon

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    It may work! Might have to mock it up with cardboard or something to see. :notsure:
     
  28. Jun 25, 2019 at 5:05 AM
    #178
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

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    For you guys in Houston and other Texas cities, I can hook you up with a good price on the unistrut if you want to try this.
     
  29. Sep 21, 2019 at 7:19 PM
    #179
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    Bumping the thread. I used some low profile unistrut and eye bolts to add some more tie points in my bed. I forgot that I ordered the centering style unistrut plates and man they are awesome for this. Night pictures because I need a win today haha

    IMG_20190921_200515.jpg
    IMG_20190921_200537.jpg
    IMG_20190921_200548.jpg
     
  30. Sep 21, 2019 at 7:23 PM
    #180
    Squatting Pigeon

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    Looks good! :thumbsup:
     
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