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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 6, 2020 at 7:47 AM
    #241
    Rabidllamas

    Rabidllamas New Member

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    My build- https://www.tundras.com/threads/rabbidllamas-old-man-build.80802/
    upload_2020-12-6_7-44-29.jpg

    I was looking for ideas on tie down anchors and I notice I never posted a pic of my set up. Had mine on for about a year now. Works great. The tool holder I brought over from my old Taco. Got directions off TacomaWorld to make that.
     
    Cidertom likes this.
  2. Jan 3, 2021 at 10:59 AM
    #242
    Alex21DC

    Alex21DC New Member

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    Jeff, what depth of unistrut did you use on this build?
     
  3. Jan 3, 2021 at 12:37 PM
    #243
    Cidertom

    Cidertom Chionophile

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    On mine I used 13/16 nominal. I used unistrut P4100. Which is solid back.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  4. Jan 3, 2021 at 5:15 PM
    #244
    Midnite72

    Midnite72 Anything DIRT !!

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    2” level P&P sliders
    FINALLY got this mod done !!
    Still need D-rings and such

    98955691-75FB-4A65-A1F3-73CE8D712F1D.jpg CB48CDCE-70CA-4B2A-AD04-9AF2CD58AB5B.jpg
    0CD1827C-3430-4B6C-849A-5289C6C550EC.jpg

    Next up bed light kit install
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Jan 7, 2021 at 6:08 PM
    #245
    jeffw6236

    jeffw6236 New Member

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    Oh man. I don’t remember. I think it was 1 5/8 by 13/14 or 14 gauge
     
  6. Jan 20, 2021 at 9:09 AM
    #246
    paulbk

    paulbk New Member

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    Question for those using OEM cleats.....

    1. How are you able to have OEM cleats fasten onto itself? I have the fender washer in place like above, but the "T-head" spins freely and will not grab unless I attempt to hold the "T-head" in place using a flathead screwdriver or pliers. In short, the more narrow OEM channel hold the "T-head" place allowing the cleats to fasten vs the wider channel on the strut.

    2. Are you mounting the "feet" of the OEM cleats inside the channel? The "feet" are too small to mount outside the strut, unless utilizing a washer....so does that mean using 2 washers?

    Pics added for reference...OEM tundra cleat mounted on unistrut.

    A25783F4-0891-4085-B1CB-5379780239FC.jpg
    007F165A-D18D-4C46-8EB1-146AB24783F8.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2021
    ThURD F3rguson likes this.
  7. Jan 27, 2021 at 10:19 AM
    #247
    Lobodog1

    Lobodog1 New Member

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    I finally did this mod. The hardest part was finding the holes through the bed liner, but once I found the first one the rest were easy to locate. One 10' piece was perfect for both sides so it was cheap and works great.
    IMG_20210123_153603.jpg PXL_20210117_172554290(1).jpg PXL_20210117_174044566.jpg
     
    Zebruaj, kbark, R65 and 5 others like this.
  8. Sep 2, 2021 at 5:20 PM
    #248
    3rdTundra

    3rdTundra Hay Hauler

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    Resurrecting an old thread...
    I am using 16mm long M6x1.0 pan head screws. They only go in a short distance (few threads) and stop cold. I do not see that there is anything obstructing the holes other than some minor surface rust. Any recommendations? Did anyone have trouble with the bolts/screws. I can get a tap if needed, but not sure why it should not just screw in.
     
  9. Sep 2, 2021 at 7:07 PM
    #249
    TundraPHX

    TundraPHX Ryan started the fire.

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    Bed liner?
     
  10. Sep 2, 2021 at 7:42 PM
    #250
    3rdTundra

    3rdTundra Hay Hauler

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    I have a spray-in bedliner, but the holes look clear. It seems like the thread pitch does not match or the hole is very short. I think i may have to pickup a tap, but I don't want to mess up the threads...
     
  11. Sep 2, 2021 at 7:45 PM
    #251
    TundraPHX

    TundraPHX Ryan started the fire.

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    Fairly common for the bed liner to gunk up those threads. Double check correct pitch on screw. If so, it’s a quick fix. I knocked it out w a HF tap kit in about 20 mins.
     
  12. Sep 2, 2021 at 7:52 PM
    #252
    Shanet421

    Shanet421 (Semi) New Member

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  13. Sep 3, 2021 at 6:54 PM
    #253
    3rdTundra

    3rdTundra Hay Hauler

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    Cleaned out the bolt holes with a tap without issue. i decided to go with individual tie down points rather than the unistrut since I did not want to figure out how to mount with my BAK Revolver cover. Used tie down anchors with 16mm M6-1 stainless bolts and 1/4"x1" stainless fender washers.
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WQSYWN2?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
     
  14. Sep 20, 2021 at 6:01 PM
    #254
    Parksareforever

    Parksareforever New Member

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    Went to Ace, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. Nothing in stock. Finally went to an electrical supply store. Employee said due to covid the suppliers haven’t been making or stocking a lot of this stuff. Paid about $31 for each 10ft section. All in about $130. Still cheaper than OEM and feels a lot more solid.

    Easy to install. Only had to drill a few holes in the strut. Spray on Bed liner was surprisingly thick. F4011233-C6D3-4C55-8671-41A3BF9C4C12.jpg397FD8DF-54F4-4AF2-8F7C-9CD21BAB1F87.jpg
     
    Barrett50 likes this.
  15. Sep 28, 2021 at 12:23 PM
    #255
    Retired...finally

    Retired...finally Utilizing that doctorate of procrastinatory arts

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    Custom bug spat pattern hood, grill & bumper. Dead Live Oak leaf collection under hood, cowl and lower fenders. Beach sand custom floor covering.
    Thanks for the idea. The holes were covered before the bedliner was sprayed but they are easily located by gently probing with an ice pick. Unistrut was the perfect solution for my ugly top box mount.20210927_101842.jpg 20210927_101833.jpg
     
    Tony_h likes this.
  16. Oct 4, 2021 at 12:28 PM
    #256
    Parksareforever

    Parksareforever New Member

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    Strut channel nuts and d rings from Amazon. Stainless steel hardware from Ace.

    F0DCF517-29B6-4DC5-88DD-83645C063FCE.jpg A08C89BA-1AC7-4675-B6FC-60148D946782.jpg
     
    Retired...finally likes this.
  17. Oct 10, 2021 at 7:37 PM
    #257
    cd121082

    cd121082 New Member

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    none yet
    wonder if you can do this to the clamps with OEM rails.
     
  18. Jul 8, 2022 at 3:26 PM
    #258
    Tundra Lou

    Tundra Lou New Member

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    I had to make an account for this post because I am in love with this mod! I wanted to share my (ultimate in my opinion) version of this mod!
    Pics will show everything!

    I will be applying bedliner and making additional quickmount stuff such as lockable ammo box for tie down gear since the eye hooks are removable by a simple 1/4 left turn (but don’t move at all under any pressure!)

    I used:
    •1 10ft shallower unistrut (yielded a 2” leftover piece, I only did the sides)
    •unistrut cone nuts
    •vehicle grade m6 x 1.0 (thread pitch) x 15mm long bolts
    •Additional pieces in the receipt below

    Let me know what y’all think!

    2B29C8A3-3BB5-426B-B4A5-66033AB3D24E.jpg AA3C2AE4-FEE8-424A-B47B-C3EBF1292A33.jpg 06136C3A-6F00-4F92-85EC-CB9C1146094C.jpg 526FC5FD-223D-4663-942B-4471BDDB72CA.jpg 2E0372E9-941B-49AF-9CBC-56AEE195B196.jpg
     
  19. Apr 5, 2023 at 9:37 AM
    #259
    Woocawachie

    Woocawachie New Member

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    I think you just provided me with a solution for my 2023 tundra SR that did not come with bed rails. Thanks!
     
  20. Sep 10, 2023 at 12:31 PM
    #260
    17sr54x4

    17sr54x4 New Member

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    Can anyone who has done this mod help school me a bit..
    I have a 17 sr5, trd off road with factory bed liner.
    I see some holes in my bed that appear to be there to mount the bed rail kit.
    My issue is according to many photos the hole closest to the tailgate is not there on my truck and then the next hole forward of it does not have any nut to screw anything to, I can take an ice pick and put it in that hole and touch nothing, not even the inner bed side.
    So I'm looking for a photo of how many holes by double cab should have and their location, same thing across the front of the box above the stamped tundra logo .
    I want to do this mod but want to make sure I can, I'm thinking that there might be bed liner over my holes needed but I'm clueless to where they should be. As you can see by photo added the hole highlighted by the flashlight is my first hole I see.. any ideas?
    Thanks guys.

    20230910_153533.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2023
  21. Sep 10, 2023 at 12:59 PM
    #261
    Randy Morton

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

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    On my 2012 DC, the first hole is 8" from the tailgate (with it closed) and the rest of the holes are 13" apart. I suspect that the problem with yours is the spray in bed liner. Whoever installed it simply sprayed over the holes. The ice pick might help you find the holes by poking through the liner. Once you find the holes, this will help clean them up. https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-HANSON-2-Pack-Metric-Tap-and-Drill-Set/3732947
     
  22. Sep 11, 2023 at 5:59 PM
    #262
    BeardedTundra

    BeardedTundra Shr3k

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    As of 2023, 74k miles Big mods coming soon...
    Great idea! I like what I see. Hardware store here I come...
     
  23. Sep 20, 2023 at 5:08 PM
    #263
    3rdTundra

    3rdTundra Hay Hauler

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  24. Jan 19, 2024 at 12:03 PM
    #264
    meniscus

    meniscus New Member

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    I know this is an older thread, but has anyone tried to cut relief into strut channel (cutting a triangle to bend) and weld to get vertical angles? A week ago, I added L-Track to the bedrails of my truck and also made some crossbars out of superstrut where the L-Track fittings allow the crossbars to be positioned anywhere down the length of the L-Track. Now I'm considering making a removable headache rack out of superstrut. (The reason why I need it easily removable is because I often end-up in parking garages where I'm already very close to max height and the taller headache rack I make would make would accommodate my 16+ foot canoe over the cab.)

    Sorry, I'm not a Tundra owner, but by far, the Tundra and Tacoma guys are doing more interesting DIY than some other owners and brands.

    20240115_081939.jpg
    20240114_144705.jpg
     
    Kiddnapped Tundra and Tony_h like this.
  25. Jan 23, 2024 at 8:45 AM
    #265
    HartysTundra

    HartysTundra New Member

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    Great write up
     
  26. Jan 28, 2024 at 2:17 PM
    #266
    jimmyfu

    jimmyfu New Member

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    does anyone have a solution to minimize the height of the screws/bolts? reason why i ask is i'd like to use the unistrut as an actual track system, but with so many bolts securing the rail, i'm not really able to slide things down the track at length...
     
  27. Feb 27, 2024 at 8:30 PM
    #267
    NTX_Tundra

    NTX_Tundra New Member

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    Has anyone tried installing a bed rack that normally utilizes the factory toyota system? I'm curious if this could work.
     
  28. Mar 17, 2024 at 11:33 AM
    #268
    DCLarston13

    DCLarston13 New Member

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    I just installed a Rola rack on my truck, if you have unistrut instead of the Toyota rail I think the Nissan fittings would work as they are closer in size to the unistrut.
     
  29. Mar 22, 2024 at 4:59 PM
    #269
    d33pt

    d33pt New Member

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    For those of you that added the unistrut to the cab-side bed rail, how did you space out the unistrut? It's too wide to fit in that recess that's made for the toyota rail. Just stack a few washers?
     
  30. Mar 25, 2024 at 5:26 PM
    #270
    HartysTundra

    HartysTundra New Member

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    Wanted to give a shout to OP. Was looking into buying the OEM railing kit but couldn’t justify the $250+ to spend on it. So I went the DIY route.

    Was able to install my waterport tank, some tie down anchors as well as a board rack to keep my board from rolling around. Stoked!

    IMG_2850.jpg
    IMG_2851.jpg
    IMG_2854.jpg
     
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