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Additional Bed Rail Tie Downs on a Budget

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by wvtac0, Aug 6, 2011.

  1. Aug 6, 2011 at 7:35 PM
    #1
    wvtac0

    wvtac0 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I needed an inexpensive way to have more tie down options with the bed rail system on the Tacos. The dealer selections were not in my budget. Here is what I came up with:

    Parts List:

    J bolt – 3/8” x 3-3/4” with nut

    Flat Nylon Washer – 1-1/4”x 1/2” x 1/16”

    Steel Washer – 1-1/4” x 1/2”

    Spring Nut – 3/8”


    Through trial and error, I cut the J bolts down so that I had about 1-1/8” of thread. (At this length, the thread was not touching the back of the bed rail. I probably could go another 1/8” to 1/4" longer with the thread without hitting the back of the rail.)

    After I cut the J bolt down, I put the nut back as far as it would go. Next was the steel and then the nylon washer. I found 3/8” spring nuts at Lowes in the electrical department. The spring was just pressed on and will pull right off.

    Next step is to install the assembly into the bed rail system. I have a total of 5 hooks installed on my Taco. One on the front rail and two on each side.

    Besides my time, I probably have about $2 in each hook assembly.

    I recently used some of the hooks on a 3K trip with no problems.

    Rail Attachment Hook Parts.jpg
    Hook Length.jpg
    Spring Nut Package.jpg
    Spring Nut.jpg
    Hook Assembly.jpg
    Hook Assembly Showing Washers.jpg
    Hook Assembly Installed.jpg
     
    Tocamo likes this.
  2. Aug 6, 2011 at 7:54 PM
    #2
    fortyniner

    fortyniner Active Member

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    Nice work, those factory ones a $45.00 a pop are a bit pricey.
     
  3. Aug 14, 2011 at 10:14 PM
    #3
    VanCity4x

    VanCity4x Well-Known Member

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    You didnt hear it from me, you could go to a toyota dealership at night, tiedowns are usually ripe for the picking. :spy:
     
    igno1tus and sandyTrd87 like this.
  4. Aug 15, 2011 at 6:41 AM
    #4
    Burns

    Burns Excellent Member

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    Nice write up man.
     
  5. Aug 15, 2011 at 6:48 AM
    #5
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    I don't condone this at all, but the wording had me in stitches.
     
  6. Jan 14, 2012 at 7:47 PM
    #6
    teamfast

    teamfast Get busy living, or get busy dying.

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    what are these spring nuts used for? Electrical dept? Thanks.
     
  7. Jan 14, 2012 at 9:11 PM
    #7
    wileyC

    wileyC Well-Known Member

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    great idea!
     
  8. Jan 14, 2012 at 11:01 PM
    #8
    ouyin2000

    ouyin2000 Well-Known Member

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    Check the BST section, and even the Free section. Some guys I'm sure would be willing to part with their factory tie downs
     
  9. Jan 14, 2012 at 11:06 PM
    #9
    booboy

    booboy Well-Known Member

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    HAA! I always thought that.
     
  10. Jan 14, 2012 at 11:18 PM
    #10
    rdm197aps

    rdm197aps Well-Known Member

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    more than one's a class B misdemeanor... :)
     
  11. Jan 15, 2012 at 6:37 AM
    #11
    787tester

    787tester Well-Known Member

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    The spring nuts are used in unistrut applications.
    The tie downs when I bought my truck were in a bag in the back seat. I haven't seen any installed on the trucks at the dealer. Probably because they are too quickly removed by cheap thieving idiots.
     
  12. Jan 15, 2012 at 6:50 AM
    #12
    rubberduckytaco

    rubberduckytaco Well-Known Member

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  13. Jan 15, 2012 at 6:51 AM
    #13
    samsung

    samsung Well-Known Member

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    don't do that maan. how would you like if somebody took yours off. i had some low life MF who stole mine. and besides if you went to a dealership, they probably have cameras looking right at u.
     
  14. Jan 15, 2012 at 6:52 AM
    #14
    rubberduckytaco

    rubberduckytaco Well-Known Member

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    ^ ninja outfit fixes that cameras dont see ninjas
     
  15. Jan 7, 2013 at 11:27 AM
    #15
    jimmyb10

    jimmyb10 New Member

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    J hooks are a great idea, but I plan to use eye-bolts with your design.:rolleyes:
     
  16. Jan 12, 2013 at 7:36 AM
    #16
    wvtac0

    wvtac0 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Let me know how it works out. I thought of eye bolts but felt the j bolts would be more useful.
     
  17. Jan 13, 2013 at 2:38 PM
    #17
    jimmyb10

    jimmyb10 New Member

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    I used the J hook design details, but used eye bolts. OK, I also did a couple of J hooks too. Both work very good. Thanks to wvtac0 for sharing this great idea. :rolleyes:
     
  18. Jan 15, 2013 at 4:59 AM
    #18
    bkrdave36

    bkrdave36 Well-Known Member

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    I like the low profile of the design too!
     
  19. Jan 15, 2013 at 5:04 AM
    #19
    DEEVON911

    DEEVON911 Semi-Pro

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    Great idea OP, think I might do this. +1
     
  20. Jan 5, 2016 at 4:15 PM
    #20
    aaol1

    aaol1 Well-Known Member

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    Just did it myself :) tracking down those spring nuts were tough, but I got some!

    DSC_0060.jpg
    DSC_0059.jpg
    DSC_0058.jpg
     

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