DIY Custom Side Rails / Tie-Down Hook Mounts

[Red454]

I used some 80/20 Aluminum extrusion to make the side rails. I designed some sliding hook mounts for the 80/20 that would use the stock tie-down hooks. Next step after the test fit is to get them anodized. In the center is an M8 tapped hole for maybe an eye bolt.

Sponsored

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Very nice! Gawd I miss having access to a shop to tinker in,,,,,,,

HRG

 

[Eggflipper]

Nice job. The good thing about making stuff yourself is that you make it to suit your needs.

 

[SVTRIDE]

Nice creative work.. Nice to be able to truly make what you want. Thanks for sharing.

Are the 4 tapped screw holes in the slider corners the means by which you “clamp” the slider in the desired position on the 80/20 extrusion?

Versus L-track brackets mechanically lock into desired position.

 

[Red454]

The corners are counter bored for M6 screws, and those screws thread into a plate that is tapped for M6. The plates slide into the two T slots in the extrusion. So you loosen the 4 corners, slide it into position and then lock them down.

 

[Red454]

This is the side rail extrusion:

 

[Red454]

 

[timcal]

Do you have a drawing with dimensions for the rails also?

 

[mav_kev]

I used some 80/20 Aluminum extrusion to make the side rails. I designed some sliding hook mounts for the 80/20 that would use the stock tie-down hooks. Next step after the test fit is to get them anodized. In the center is an M8 tapped hole for maybe an eye bolt.

Ok this is freakin' clever! I may have to steal this. Well done sir!

 

[Red454]

Do you have a drawing with dimensions for the rails also?

Yes - sort of: initially I was going to make the rails out of stainless angle iron but then I found the extrusion. I never made a drawing for the extrusion.

The second hole from the left had some issues for both sides of the bed. The position of the threaded inserted welded into the bed at the factory was off somewhat vertically, so there was not enough room on my extrusion slot to make that work, so I used very short bolt and just glued it in there for looks. It’s not perfect, but it works. I added the picture of the misaligned holes so you can see what I’m talking about. I believe this issue has been noticed by other Mav. owners. For those using the larger B channel (like unistrut) for the side rails, the slots in the channel are large enough that the misalignment doesn't matter.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

The second hole from the left had some issues for both sides of the bed. The position of the threaded inserted welded into the bed at the factory was off somewhat vertically, so there was not enough room on my extrusion slot to make that work, so I used very short bolt and just glued it in there for looks. It’s not perfect, but it works.

Genius. Pure genius.

HRG

 

[Crash11]

Awesome work.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Nice. What about extra anchors or attachments for the stock rails? Willing to make and sell some?

 

[Red454]

Nice. What about extra anchors or attachments for the stock rails? Willing to make and sell some?

Wish I could but access to materials and equipment is limited.

 

[Blinky]

The second hole from the left had some issues for both sides of the bed. The position of the threaded inserted welded into the bed at the factory was off somewhat vertically, so there was not enough room on my extrusion slot to make that work, so I used very short bolt and just glued it in there for looks. It’s not perfect, but it works. I added the picture of the misaligned holes so you can see what I’m talking about. I believe this issue has been noticed by other Mav. owners. For those using the larger B channel (like unistrut) for the side rails, the slots in the channel are large enough that the misalignment doesn't matter.

I think some of the holes are intentionally offset, the first and second hole from the front on both sides of my truck are offset vertically from the last two holes.
Between that and the odd spacing it's a little annoying as I'd intended to mount some L-track but I guess I'll make an adapter plate of sorts.

Sponsored