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DIY: Unistrut Bed Rails - Cheaper option than OEM

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

  1. Dec 28, 2016 at 6:54 PM
    #61
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Awesome, glad to help.
     
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    #61
  2. Dec 28, 2016 at 8:25 PM
    #62
    jeffw6236

    jeffw6236 New Member

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    Just did this one as well. For my CM one 10' length of superstrut from Lowes was enough to do the sides. I used M6 - 1.00 x 16 screws and 1/4 x 1 fender washers. Painted it all with bed liner paint. A total investment of maybe $30. I've not done the rail behind the cab. Don't know if I will. Working on the ammo cans - one completed and installed so far. Also painted with bed liner to make it a little less conspicuous. Not a ton of storage but great for tiedowns and a few tools. Thanks for posting. It's an easy mod, useful, and saves money vs OEM.

    Painted superstrut, washers and screw heads with bed liner
    IMG_0023_zpsrvkcfzbj_f46a9ab64fcc1db01f8016bf6635980d19948f0a.jpg

    Fit like they are from the factory!
    IMG_2013_zps3wrzddyu_4d50b427dcc58aea3785e5f67ab37d6568f6f64a.jpg


    One ammo can installed so far
    IMG_0033_zpsc5jkxtmg_1dda69de4faa03911b9c3aa84d605173b7b1d102.jpg

    And you can't see the can unless your looking for something!

    IMG_0037_zpsttm6c0ny_6c24a5f708738d85aa0a12d765fcaae71e17c166.jpg
     
  3. Dec 29, 2016 at 6:06 AM
    #63
    Randy Morton

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

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    Much better. The doctor took me off most of the restrictions. I can sit up and look straight ahead most of the time now. Distance vision is 20/20 in both eyes (except for a little of the bubble that hasn't cleared out yet), and I can watch TV and drive without a problem. There's still a little glare from the bubble, but a good pair of sunglasses takes care of that.

    Thanks for asking, and I hope the holiday season is treating you well.
     
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  4. Dec 29, 2016 at 10:03 AM
    #64
    jeffw6236

    jeffw6236 New Member

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    Thanks! I've never done much in the way of mods in prior vehicles. This one was easy and fun. I like the way it turned out.

    I used rust-o-leum. Under $8 a can at Home Depot. 2 simple lessons learned. It says shake the can for a minute I think. You gotta do that. Also buy one of those can holder-trigger attachments for a couple of bucks. Well worth it.
     
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  5. Jan 2, 2017 at 2:04 PM
    #65
    Randy Morton

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

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    If you're considering adding Unistrut (or Superstrut as Home Depot calls it), there are a couple of gotchas to be aware of. First, the holes don't line up. I cut a piece of strut the right size and a grand total of 2 holes lined up on each side. Be prepared to drill extra holes in the strut. Second, if you have a toolbox, be prepared to pull it before you start. It may block one hole at the front and you'll need that for strength at the front of the rail. I put the project aside for now, I'll get help pulling the box and finish up later.
     
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  6. Jan 2, 2017 at 2:09 PM
    #66
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    Definitely a thread hi jack but jogging is also stressful on the knees.
     
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  7. Feb 20, 2017 at 6:43 PM
    #67
    Randy Morton

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

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    I finally removed the toolbox and installed the Unistrut rails. I also upgraded the toolbox mounts when I put it back in. Installing the rails isn't a simple bolt on process. Only a couple of the bolt holes line up. I pulled out the reciprocating saw and made some slices to lengthen the existing screw slots on the unistrut. It was much easier after that. I had already retapped the screw holes, they had just enough rust in the threads to keep the bolts from starting. For those interested, Unistrut and it's clones come in two sizes. 13/16" and 1-5/8". The 13/16 version is slightly recessed when you bolt it on, the other sticks out a little. Choose what works for you. I chose the 1-5/8".

     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2017
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  8. Apr 12, 2017 at 11:15 PM
    #68
    Toyota4x4

    Toyota4x4 New Member

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    For those installing the ammo cans, what type of nut/ bolt combo are you using to attach to the unistrut? Any pictures? I was thinking that of using the taller 40mm cans...
     
  9. Apr 14, 2017 at 10:17 AM
    #69
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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  10. Apr 14, 2017 at 12:04 PM
    #70
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    I cut my unistruts with the intention of putting a tool box in my pickup, glad to see my theory about it was correct. Luckily the length I cut mine made it to where I didn't have to drill any holes in it.
     
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  11. Apr 14, 2017 at 12:50 PM
    #71
    Randy Morton

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

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    I'd attribute the lack of drilling to the brand of unistrut you used. There was no alignment in the stuff I bought from Home Depot that would allow all of the holes to line up. I'm glad yours was more hassle free.
     
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  12. Apr 14, 2017 at 12:51 PM
    #72
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep with typical unistrut you have to extend a few of the holes to allow the use of the existing threads.
     
  13. Apr 14, 2017 at 2:20 PM
    #73
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    Ace Hardware unistrut must be the golden ticket lol.
     
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  14. Nov 25, 2017 at 3:55 PM
    #74
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    What'd you do as far as the toolbox mounts? Mine's mounted with J-hooks, but I can't replace the cut unistrut for full length without possibly Dremeling the top lip of the strut for the J-hook or finding a different mounting solution.

    I'm thinking of putting a unistrut on the front of the bed, and drilling a few holes on both the front and sides of the box, then running bolts through the holes and securing them with knuts on either side of the toolbox. Is that what you did?
     
  15. Nov 25, 2017 at 5:46 PM
    #75
    Randy Morton

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

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    I used two sets of these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FGJHG3E/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The struts reach from the back of the bed to a little under the toolbox. That way the front of the strut is held by a screw.
     
  16. Dec 4, 2017 at 9:45 AM
    #76
    pschiller86

    pschiller86 2017 SR5 CrewMax

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    Hey guys, the factory spray on liner covered up the holes that you'd attach the unistrut or OEM deck rail system to. Any suggestions to help me out?
     
  17. Dec 4, 2017 at 9:49 AM
    #77
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    All i can think of is buy a tap and die kit and clean up the threads yourself.
     
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  18. Dec 4, 2017 at 9:25 PM
    #78
    Nickj619

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    This is a great idea, I use this stuff all the time at work. Would be nice to use solid channel strut without the holes in the back and paint with some plasti dip
     
  19. Dec 4, 2017 at 9:29 PM
    #79
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating Over it.........

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    I would avoid plasti dip if you're going to be using the rails. use some real paint so you don't mess up the dip
     
  20. Dec 4, 2017 at 9:47 PM
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    Nickj619

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    That works too haha
     
  21. Jan 5, 2018 at 12:17 PM
    #81
    Worriedman50

    Worriedman50 New Member

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    What is the actual depth of the unistrut needed for this application, it appears to be about half as deep as it is wide. Comes in two flavors, 13/16" depth or 13/32" in depth. Looking at the pictures it appears the 13/32" is the type to use?
     
  22. Jan 5, 2018 at 12:44 PM
    #82
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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  23. Jan 5, 2018 at 1:10 PM
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    Worriedman50

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  24. Jan 5, 2018 at 1:16 PM
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    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    I think home depo only sells two different unistrut
    1. 1 5/8" x 13/16"
    2. 1 5/8" x 1 5/8"
     
  25. Jan 5, 2018 at 1:22 PM
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    Randy Morton

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

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  26. Jan 5, 2018 at 1:55 PM
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    Worriedman50

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    Thanks guys!
     
  27. Apr 15, 2018 at 6:44 PM
    #87
    LKSR5-14

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    Would I be able to use these rails to modify undercover flex cover brackets install or it's different sizes?
    Drive me crazy that those brackets got loose often and top oem plastic on the edges of the truck bed pops up so eventually will damage them.

    Any good solution who have undercover flex cover?
     
  28. Apr 15, 2018 at 7:04 PM
    #88
    LKSR5-14

    LKSR5-14 New Member

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    Can someone provide oem vs fabrication rail measurements before I started buying things?

    I'm about to pull trigger and buy new brackets for rail installation but not sure if I do fabrication one from home depot would work with undercover flex brackets?

    Here is the brackets I'm talking about https://www.undercoverinfo.com/i-30124835-undercover-flex-clamps-rsfl7536hk.html

    Can someone please suggest who is maybe done it already?

    4F9D580D-E2EF-480D-A97E-DCFEC83B7682.jpg
    38C8C46C-2D8E-4D4C-88C4-F23F8B4DB0EC.jpg
     
  29. Apr 16, 2018 at 10:26 AM
    #89
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    One of these
    [​IMG]
     
  30. Apr 16, 2018 at 10:27 AM
    #90
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    The one i purchased is listed as
    • 14-Gauge metal construction with half-slot holes
    • Channel is 10 ft. in L and measures 1-5/8 in. x 13/16 in.

    That would be the BSC-500.
     
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