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DIY: Unistrut Bed Rails - Cheaper option than OEM

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

  1. Sep 21, 2019 at 7:44 PM
    #181
    Tundra503

    Tundra503 God Bless America

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    Cool idea...I utilize this stuff all day at work, awesome to see a different use for it. FWIW you can buy Unistrut in stainless, and without the oval holes(drill your own holes) if you want.
     
  2. Sep 21, 2019 at 7:47 PM
    #182
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

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    I’d love to have it in stainless without the ovals, but it would probably be cheaper to buy the oem rails at that point.
     
  3. Sep 21, 2019 at 7:48 PM
    #183
    Tundra503

    Tundra503 God Bless America

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    100%.....stainless though. Sorry thats the redneck showing
     
  4. Sep 21, 2019 at 7:54 PM
    #184
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    I've seen the stainless stuff before and I almost ordered some but the low profile stuff was an impulse buy. I had to order some nylock nuts from McMaster and said what the hell. I already had regular strut hanging around, but the low profile seemed nicer and the holes made it quicker to install. If I recall the already punched strut was cheaper too. I still need more of it for the front and maybe sides of the bed eventually.
     
    Squatting Pigeon likes this.
  5. Oct 6, 2019 at 12:48 AM
    #185
    dragon_coma

    dragon_coma New Member

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    2nd these. I also have 4 eye bolts in each corner. Last thing I did was but these:

    RockyMounts LoBall Track quick release bike rack pick up truck https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019709IBU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TXzMDbXZXGKEM

    BUT I would buy directly from RockyMounts to 1) get key matched sets, 2) get the same or better price, and 3) they offer a mil discount. I also would not get their “track” version since you can buy all the same hardware for < $5 instead of their $20
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
  6. Nov 20, 2019 at 8:16 PM
    #186
    mbn225

    mbn225 New Member

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    Rock Warrior Bits Flowmaster exhaust 3/1 Lift
    I’m curious about those front facing lights you have there...
     
  7. Nov 24, 2019 at 6:33 AM
    #187
    shhernandez74

    shhernandez74 New Member

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    mbn225[QUOTED] and KarmaKannon like this.
  8. Nov 24, 2019 at 6:45 AM
    #188
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    Those are pretty cool. A bit spendy, but still nice. I was just planning some simple led modules under my bed rail like I did to my old truck. Something like these. I scored some for under my hood for when I get around to wiring up a door switch or something.
    https://www.amazon.com/ChiChinLighting-20-Piece-Pack-Waterproof/dp/B00SZV6ATQ
     
  9. Dec 8, 2019 at 3:39 AM
    #189
    grannynancy

    grannynancy New Member

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    How hard is the 13/16 unistrut to cut? We have a handheld thingie with a cut off wheel my husband used to cut metal roofing but no other special tools? Is there a good place to get it cut to length? I assume the big box stores don't cut this for you.
     
  10. Dec 8, 2019 at 5:51 AM
    #190
    grannynancy

    grannynancy New Member

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    Thank you!
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  11. Dec 29, 2019 at 11:11 AM
    #191
    InsaneAuto86

    InsaneAuto86 New Member

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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    And a bike rack

    [​IMG]
     
    Kiddnapped Tundra likes this.
  12. Jan 28, 2020 at 7:14 AM
    #192
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly Well used Member

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    That looks like Tacoma cleat!
     
  13. Jan 28, 2020 at 10:39 AM
    #193
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    It is!!
     
  14. Jan 28, 2020 at 10:40 AM
    #194
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly Well used Member

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    So much more useable than a Tundra cleat
     
    csuviper[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:34 PM
    #195
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered New Member

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    Did up my Unistrut/Powerstrut setup over the last couple days. Added a few D-rings off Amazon, and tied my Softopper and overrack setup in to it. Overall very happy with this mod. Probably gonna tie some kind of folding bed/setté into the rails.
    7B27F4FF-4CD1-4CE8-9260-E4794445BC0D.jpg
    C7D0EE39-5A5B-4E2B-8F7C-EF2C5D09093F.jpg
    EB2E2D45-FFA3-4CBB-A917-93DBD3D6EDB8.jpg 32A1875F-9097-49CA-BFB1-92F919C612CA.jpg 8D2B280F-2448-4EE1-B565-5FE4919C528F.jpg
     
  16. Mar 18, 2020 at 5:26 PM
    #196
    VietGuy

    VietGuy New Member

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    Has anyone got this to fit with the bakflip bed cover?
     
  17. May 7, 2020 at 12:07 AM
    #197
    TXTundra2722

    TXTundra2722 Pipe Hitters Union

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    Also curious who is able to run bed covers with these....I know this is a dead thread now so little late night bump to get you guys in the mood!
    :burp:
     
  18. May 15, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #198
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    Just completed this mod...great, cheap DIY. As with others I used the 13/16" Superstrut from Lowe's and two holes on each side of the bed did not line up with the slots in the rail. So here's a little trick to deal with that: before anything, thread the bolts into the truck bed a few turns, and then lay the unistrut rail "upside down" over the bolts. Then adjust the rail to see how all the bolts line up. For the two that didn't - I just lined up the bolt marked a spot and drilled a new hole. Worked like a charm see pic.

    IMG_7766.jpg

    IMG_7767.jpg
     
  19. May 25, 2020 at 4:47 PM
    #199
    Tun_Trav

    Tun_Trav New Member

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    3/1.5, w/ 35s, on ICON suspension and rims, Kenwood H/U
    I sourced all my mounting hardware from McMaster-Carr. Used black-oxide bolts and washers to be super clean looking. Sprayed the strut with bedliner paint.

    Mounting hardware to truck:
    1. 91239A321 Button Head Hex Drive Screw, Black-Oxide Alloy Steel, M6 x 1.00 mm Thread, 16 mm Long, Packs of 100 1 Pack
    2. 90377A157 Black-Oxide 18-8 Stainless Steel Washer, Oversized, 1/4" Screw Size, 0.266" ID, 1" OD, Packs of 10, 2 Packs

    Then for tie-downs I went with 4 d-rings to be semi-permanently mounted and then some additional eye-bolts if I need something in a different location or something beefier.

    1. 3014T956 Steel Eyebolt with Shoulder - for Lifting, 3/8"-16 Thread Size, 5/8" Thread Length 4 Each

    2. 91525A142 316 Stainless Steel Washer, Oversized, 3/8" Screw Size, 0.406" ID, 1.625" OD, Packs of 10 1 Pack

    3. 33815T52 Tie-Down Ring, Zinc Plated Steel, 800 lbs. Capacity, 1-5/8" Inner Width 4 Each

    4. 91255A622 Button Head Hex Drive Screw, Black-Oxide Alloy Steel, 3/8"-16 Thread, 3/4" Long, Packs of 25 1 Pack

    5. 3259T32 Strut Channel Nut, Zinc-Plated Steel,, 3/8"-16 Thread Size, Packs of 5 2 Packs

    Rails are mounted and super clean. Waiting for the tie-down HW to add. Then I should be putting on the Bakflip tonneau cover in the next month or so. If anyone is wanting pics let me know and I'll post some.
     
    W3agle, Skew12 and sotex like this.
  20. May 25, 2020 at 5:01 PM
    #200
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    Pics please.... my rails are mounted and looking for attachment options
    :worthless:
     
  21. May 25, 2020 at 5:03 PM
    #201
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    https://www.unistrut.us/
     
  22. Jun 20, 2020 at 9:10 AM
    #202
    zlaneb

    zlaneb New Member

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    Hello, did you install the tie down rings and eyebolts before you mounted the rails onto the truck? I ask because when I look up the parts you provided (thank you!) I can't figure out how they attach (if you didn't attach them before mounting rails). TIA for feedback.
     
  23. Jun 20, 2020 at 9:19 AM
    #203
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Strut uses what they call Jam Nuts and you connect stuff to them anytime you need to.
    Most of them slide in perpendicular to how they attach and then a 90 degree turn sets them in place in the strut.

    They stock the stuff at most bigger hardware stores and it is easier to just go see than to try to describe really.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  24. Jun 20, 2020 at 9:37 AM
    #204
    zlaneb

    zlaneb New Member

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    Excellent and thank you. I NOW see that in the parts list there is part 3259T32, which is exactly what you described. THANKS
     
  25. Jun 20, 2020 at 7:03 PM
    #205
    Cavalrysr5

    Cavalrysr5 New Member

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    They are actually called channel nuts
     
  26. Jun 20, 2020 at 7:20 PM
    #206
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Just seeing if you were paying attention?
     
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  27. Jun 20, 2020 at 8:05 PM
    #207
    Cavalrysr5

    Cavalrysr5 New Member

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    Only reason I know is I tried searching for what you called them and couldn't find them
     
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  28. Jul 11, 2020 at 8:15 AM
    #208
    zlaneb

    zlaneb New Member

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    What did you use to cut the Unistrut?
     
  29. Jul 11, 2020 at 10:18 AM
    #209
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    What I did was cut my unistrut to length with a grinder cut off wheel and then used a drill to make holes where it didn’t quite line up with the threaded holes on the bed - pretty easy. You could cut the unistrut with a hacksaw or a metal cutting blade on a jig saw or reciprocating saw.
     
  30. Jul 11, 2020 at 10:24 AM
    #210
    Cavalrysr5

    Cavalrysr5 New Member

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    I used a chop saw and a drimel lol
     
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