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Budget friendly truck rack

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by figure1a, Jul 28, 2019.

  1. Jul 28, 2019 at 5:18 PM
    #1
    figure1a

    figure1a [OP] New Member

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    Speed Rail rear rack support:
    .
    For the past few years I've had a Thule Xporter Pro rack system for my truck bed. It was $800 and I only put it on the truck when I actively use it. And I HATE putting it on because I have to remove the Tundra Deck Rail System (which I use more) and the whole process takes the better part of an hour. But I recently put a rack on my cab so I thought I could make the a rear support out of Speed Rail. Now installing/removing the rear support only takes about 2 minutes when I need to haul something around. If you're interested and you have the Tundra Deck Rail System in your truck, here's the parts I used and where to get them. It will cost you about $180-$200. If you don't have a roof rack you could double up on these parts and do a front and rear support.

    + 1-1/4 Speed Rail: a 20' piece is about $60
    + (2) Hollaender Fitting 45 Sq. Flange 1-1/4" H45125 Amazon
    + (2) Hollaender Fitting1-1/4" Modified Cross H30A125 Amazon
    + (2) Modern Grid Clamp W/ 3/8" Female Thread Filmtools
    + (1) T-Slot Nuts Set (comes in a pack of 4) Amazon
    + (2) 3/8-16 x 1" Stainless Steel Button Head Bolts
    + (2) 3/8 Stainless Steel Washers
    + (2) 3/8 Stainless Steel Lock Washers
    + (8) Large sheet metal screws and washers to bolt the flange to the bed

    Some general instructions:
    1) (2) 47" and (1) 72" pieces of 1-1/4 Speed Rail worked for me. If you are not familiar with speed rail, most metal supply places carry it (in CA, Industrial Metal Supply is in most major cities). FYI, it's called 1-1/4 Speed Rail but the outside diameter is actually 1.66". They usually sell it in 20' pieces for about $60 and will cut it for you for another $10 (makes it easier to get home).
    2) You'll need to modify grid clamps. As they come, they are threaded 3/8 but you'll need them to be thru-hole so just drill out the threads with a 3/8" drill.
    3) Bolt, lock, washer, grid clamp, t-slot nut. Put them together loosely in that order and slide it into your deck rail. I put mine about 3" in from the end for a little more support (I think they ended up right in line with the deck rail's mounting bolt. Make it snug but not super tight.
    4) Install a 47" piece of Speed Rail with a flange on the bottom end and secure in the grid clamp. Make the grid clamp snug but not super tight. If you have a bed liner, you'll want to cut a square notch out of it so the flange can sit flat on the bed. Get the Speed Rail as vertically straight as possible and mark the flange holes in the bed. If you have a punch, you can just punch starter holes in the bed otherwise use a drill. You'll probably notice that the flange does not sit perfectly flat in the bed. The outside holes hover above the bed so you'll need to stack up some washers or some kind of shims so that it sits straight when you bolt it all down. Use some large sheet metal screws to bolt the flanges down and then tighten everything else.
    5) The rest is pretty easy as you'll just put the cross fittings on the top and then slide the cross bar in. If you are hauling paddle boards or something you might want some padding for the crossbar. At first I used pipe insulation but it probably would have deteriorated pretty quick. But then I remembered I had some Dakine pads in my garage that I used to use on my SUV and those work much better. I just sprayed mine black because I beat on everything pretty good but if you want a nice finish you could get it powder coated.
    .
    Cab rack that I already have on my truck. Kind of pricey rack but rock solid.
    .
    Cross fitting:
    .
    Grid Clamp:
    .
    Flange:
    .
    Flange and grid clamp installed. All the weight of the rack is being supported by the bed. The flange and clamp are mostly for lateral stabilization so there's not a lot of downward pressure/weight on the Tundra Deck Rail System:
    .
    Disassembles in three pieces for easy installation next time:
    .
    With Dakine pads on the cross bar:
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2019
  2. Jul 28, 2019 at 5:28 PM
    #2
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    TRD PRO grille, OCD consol organizers, DIY wireless phone charger, 33" Michelin Defender LTX MS, Bak revolver X2 tonneau, weathertech liners, 20% tints. DIY pop n lock, 2018 LED headlights, morimoto fogs, TRD shift knob, DirtyDeeds 8"BAM exhaust, kenwood HU,JL amp, Tech12volts Tundra full speaker upgrade w/sub, Swing case, and lots of fluid film
    Very nice
     
    figure1a[OP] likes this.
  3. Jul 28, 2019 at 7:53 PM
    #3
    Notachickmagnet

    Notachickmagnet New Member

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    This is great!
     
    figure1a[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  4. Jul 28, 2019 at 7:54 PM
    #4
    figure1a

    figure1a [OP] New Member

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    Thanks!
     
  5. Jul 28, 2019 at 8:03 PM
    #5
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    TRD PRO grille, OCD consol organizers, DIY wireless phone charger, 33" Michelin Defender LTX MS, Bak revolver X2 tonneau, weathertech liners, 20% tints. DIY pop n lock, 2018 LED headlights, morimoto fogs, TRD shift knob, DirtyDeeds 8"BAM exhaust, kenwood HU,JL amp, Tech12volts Tundra full speaker upgrade w/sub, Swing case, and lots of fluid film
    Really great idea and write up. I have a feeling a lot of people will be able to use this design.
    1 note...I would recommend editing what is essentially a for sale post on the thule. Mods will be taking it down anyway due to the rules of this forum. I'd hate to see you get a suspension for not knowing the rules. You clearly have a lot of knowledge to add here so it would be a shame to get punished over that for sale ad. You can post it within the forum rules once you have 50 posts and a little time here. Just looking out for ya.
     
  6. Jul 28, 2019 at 8:05 PM
    #6
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    Is your truck wrapped satin black? It looks bad ass, let's see some more pics
     
  7. Jul 28, 2019 at 8:26 PM
    #7
    figure1a

    figure1a [OP] New Member

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    Thanks. Took it out. Oops!
     
  8. Jul 28, 2019 at 8:30 PM
    #8
    figure1a

    figure1a [OP] New Member

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    Yes, matte black wrap. We use it for filming sometimes so the less reflective the better. I only have pictures of it with Speed Rail all over it. I'll have to take some non Speed Rail pics.
    IMG_9885.jpg IMG_9946.jpg
     
    aRabidLunatic, drobb and GiantsFanDan like this.

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