AfterMarket Bed Rails suck [Archive] - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

: AfterMarket Bed Rails suck


Alaska Duramax
04-03-2004, 08:53 PM
So I Made my own.


I wanted a set of bed rails to be able to double the bedspace of my new chebby. I looked at the ones from the steeler. No go. First they are way to light duty. They are made for looks not for use.


Second they are 150 bucks.


Third the ones I found all use the stake pockets. Well I want my stake pockets as well.


So I made these.


http://www.wheelingadventures.com/Northern4x4/iB_html/uploads/post-2-42035-rails1.jpg


You would think that that sh*t would be super simple but mounting them so that no bolts show and they are sturdy enough to actually use, while retaining the stake pockets is a bitch. They are mounted with 4 3/8 bolts accessed from underneither.


http://www.wheelingadventures.com/Northern4x4/iB_html/uploads/post-2-42299-railsrear.jpg


Side Shot.


http://www.wheelingadventures.com/Northern4x4/iB_html/uploads/post-2-42355-railsclose.jpg


Overall side shot. I know its not real techy but it is interesting and at least I made them myself.....


http://www.wheelingadventures.com/Northern4x4/iB_html/uploads/post-2-42483-railsside.jpg


wholy sh*t my ears big.....Why didn't you guys tell me that I looked like I could take flight!!


Where is my magic feather?


http://www.wheelingadventures.com/Northern4x4/iB_html/uploads/post-2-42566-dumbo.jpg

Voodoo
04-03-2004, 09:31 PM
They look great, you did a great job. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif Edited by: Voodoo

Fireman
04-04-2004, 03:48 AM
Excellent job!!!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Thumbs Up.gif





They look great! I like the fact that the bed stake pockets are still useable.


You may have stumbled onto a nice little side business like Rick has with the VR Straps.








Kevinhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Alaska Duramax
04-04-2004, 10:00 AM
Thanks for the compiments. Although I woun't be doing these as a side business....


I like being able to use the stake pockets as well. That is most of the reason I made these.

BadDog
04-04-2004, 03:50 PM
Looks great.


Are you using anything to distribute the load on the bed side top? If not, it may want to kink and roll in when you tie off to those. A triangulated bracket underneath that presses against the inner bed wall when the tubes are pulled in would probably help stabilize the rails.

Alaska Duramax
04-04-2004, 06:20 PM
Looks great.


Are you using anything to distribute the load on the bed side top? If not, it may want to kink and roll in when you tie off to those. A triangulated bracket underneath that presses against the inner bed wall when the tubes are pulled in would probably help stabilize the rails.





I have just such a bracket.....Great mind think alike.....btw I dig your truggy.

BadDog
04-04-2004, 06:31 PM
Thanks. I like the looks of your rails so much I'll likely be stealing the design (when I get some other projects completed). http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

Alaska Duramax
04-05-2004, 07:59 AM
Steal Away.


They are 1 3/4" 12 guage tube. I used a Pro-Tools 105hd bender with a 6" radius. They are 45 degree bends.


How I got the height is compliments of my 9 year old son. I was doing all this measuring and junk and he came up and set a 2 pieces of 2x2 across the top from side to side on the truck. He then laid the roughed pieces on top of those and slid them right up against the bedwall. "Dad, look." Thought to myself "this kid figured out in 10 seconds what I just spent 30 minutes on".


So they are 2 1/8" inched above the bedrail. (used 1/8 scrap to make the mounting tabs)

BadDog
04-05-2004, 11:17 AM
Haha, seems like all it takes sometimes is a fresh perspective. :D


I've got an NE-5 with 1.75 x 5.5 clr so I'm set. And I even know how to set the height! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

Alaska Duramax
04-06-2004, 10:45 AM
Haha, seems like all it takes sometimes is a fresh perspective. :D


I've got an NE-5 with 1.75 x 5.5 clr so I'm set. And I even know how to set the height! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif





Yah I can do normal height but as you will find out the top of the bed is not flat and I wanted the railes to match the lines of the Cab. Just took a bit of creative grinder work...lol

Xsta Z 28
04-09-2004, 11:37 AM
Nice job!


Although I'd never make fun of your ears since you'd probably kick my . . . . http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gif

BadDog
04-09-2004, 03:19 PM
Yah I can do normal height but as you will find out the top of the bed is not flat and I wanted the railes to match the lines of the Cab. Just took a bit of creative grinder work...lol


Sorry, guess that didn't come out right. I was saying I know how to do the height because your son showed me... http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif