DIY: Unistrut Bed Rails - Cheaper option than OEM

Tiny bandsaw

 

Hacksaw.

 

I decided to tackle this today. It's all mocked up, but I'll have to take it apart to paint and I need to get some more hardware. Can confirm 13/16" will work with a Bakflip MX4. I'll probably be limited on my options as far as d-rings or cleats go with the MX4, I'm not sure yet. But it's super study even with just two brackets on each side.

Basically I just used some of the unistrut nuts with the little plastic cone and the inside half (half that faces towards the middle of the bed) of the stock Bakflip brackets. Add a couple washers and its solid.

 

I used a reciprocating saw.

 

Here's a better picture of the finished product. It holds the Bakflip way better than the stock clamps.

 

Today I bought the superstruts to start this installation. The bars are thick and strong as all heck. As I was pondering the setup my mind began to wonder how they would fair in a high speed rear end collision. My first impression is that they could easily shear the bolt and impale the cab. Thoughts?

 

The OEM is a galvanize steel construction for strength and the unistrut is a steel too with zinc coating unless you bought an aluminum unistrut.

 

I do have one major disappointment with this mod, the screws are all rusting. it looks like crap at this point I am considering removing it, unless someone has a solution.

 

I bought the thinnest zinc version at Lowes, the same thing everyone else is using.

Looking at the OEM, in the backs of trucks in parking lots, it's a less substantial product. Since I drive a lot of highway miles and fear being rear ended by semis, have children in those back seats, for my own sanity I'm going to take the $100 I spent on the DIY, and apply it towards the OEM. Still an awesome mod though.

 

I went with stainless steel hardware from Lowe’s and they still look pretty great.

 

I’ve had mine on for 6 months with the zinc coated hardware from Lowe’s and we’ve had a sh!t ton of rain here and it’s just as I installed it - no issues.

 

Well CRAP- but that is good to go, I did my hardware from McMaster-Carr. Same stuff another guy used. I wonder if his is rusting?

 

Stainless hardware and I also put some anti seize on the bolts since the bedside threads were rusty.

 

....or...you can do what I did....search Craigslist. Have some patience. Found a new OEM rail kit for $120

 

OEM is always nice and sometimes preferable. But I think I spent $60 in materials and learned a lot of new things, like what unistrut is. Also gave me something to do. And craigslist kinda sucks where I'm at.

Different strokes for different folks

 

I was going to do @csuviper 's unistrut rail mod on my 14 but got lucky on Craigslist. I think most folks here are spending close to $100+ on the unistrut rail mod. $60 is pretty darn good. I priced out the parts at HD and definitely more than $60 for materials. Unistrut isn't exactly cheap plus the required fasteners.

 

Crap, maybe $60 was just for the unistrut... My memory sucks.

 

Bottom line......you got rails
This Unistrut is a great mod because I think the dealer sells the rail kit for $240 or more.

 

Yup, and it's awesome. I don't know how I lived life without them.

 

Strut is under $20 for a 10' strip here and I use a lot of it anyway so I never had to buy any of it and I have to think it is stronger than the OEM rails and there are a whole lot more options for fasteners to use too.

But in the end the rail system is just another tool and we can each prefer whichever we choose to,they all get the job done I bet.

 

5.5ft and 6.5ft bed still needs two 10ft strips. Another strip for the front plus decent machine grade fasteners. Plus decent bed rail cleats. Adds up fast....

 

For some more than others obviously but for me I have the stuff in stock anyway and use it all the time.

YMMV as always.

 

I used solid back strut and drilled all my own holes. Used stainless steel hex cap screws. I like the result. Like Ezdog above, I always have it in stock. (except the stainless and fiberglass versions ) and it is real handy.

 

What am I missing here? I did this mod a few weeks ago and only spent like $55. Two 10' rails, cut them as long as I could on the sides, still had enough to do the front with one of the scrap pieces. Stainless hardware to hold it in place, and I was done.

I've since bought several d rings and the spring nut things with bolts for anchors, but I don't think anyone else is including those in the initial cost for the diy rails, and neither do I.

 

Yep. My post from a couple years ago indicated I was in $45 with paint. But I did not do the end of the bed just the sides. Still look great and I use them regularity.

 

I had to modify these tiedowns a bit with a grinder, just unscrew the bolt and shave off a little until it will turn straight up and down in the unistrut. Works great.

 

Paid 160 for the OEM. Comes with 4 anchors, and all the end pieces. Worth it to me. + all the other vendors make add ons specifically for this.