L-track inside of bed rails

Has anyone installed L-tracks inside of the bed rails? I am thinking about installing one on each side.

 

It is your Truck go for it.

Just what do you plan to secure with the L track??

I just installed extra tie downs

 

oh, is this L track something like the 2nd gens have back there?

 

I installed them years and years ago.

I started with two aluminum L-rails and had the seller cut down one leg to 1/2 inch wide. Then I took them home and cut the length to fit the length of the truck's upper rail. Bought stainless steel nuts and screws and mounted the L-rails. I drilled four holes in the vertical surface of the truck bed rails and then installed the aluminum rails to the bed rail.

Next, I put the mounting tape onto the bottom of the shell mounting surface, set the shell onto the bed of the truck, positioned it to where I wanted it, checked the door opening to make sure it would close properly, and then drilled four holes in each aluminum rail upwards through their horizontal surfaces and secured the shell with the nuts and screws.

The vertical lip of the truck's bed rail is not perpendicular to the ground and when I mounted the rails, the horizontal surface was not parallel to the ground. Sobeit.

Here's what I have in the way of illustrations:

 

Interesting way to mount a Cap

 

I have L track in the bed but it isn't what others have posted. I have this:

https://www.uscargocontrol.com/shop...irline-Straps-Hardware/L-Track-Tie-Down-Rails

I have 4 rails installed. One on the bed rail by the cab, two on the floor of the bed and one on the top of the tailgate.

 

I guess it all depends how the OP plans to use the L track.

 

2nd/3rd gen track on 1st gen

 

No issues with that thin sheet metal holding the weight of a Hi Lift?

 

Not yet. Wheeled pretty rough with it flopping back there and no damage.
Was going to make a bracket that bolted in to the corner tie downs and reinforce with a sheet of 1/8" steel behind it but didn't get around to it. Not planning on using it for anything more intense until I do

 

Thank you for the detailed post.

 

I've read that can be done. Thanks

 

That's what I am looking to do

Thanks

 

Oops...! When I read the OP's post I assumed that he wanted to mount a cap on the bed. Oh well...

The alternatives shown (L-tracks and hold-downs) are good, but unfortunately they won't work on my truck because there is no way to install the nut to the bolt that holds them on the bed's sides. But I did install four clamps to the plate that screwed onto each side of my 1987 truck and they came in very handy!

 

Sorry for the delayed response. I have the floor bolted with the stainless steel bolts and nuts. The front of the bed and the tailgate I used 1/4-20 rivnuts. I can give you some pointers if you need them. Mostly with locating and drilling holes for the rivnuts. Actually, just get a set of transfer punches to help locate the center of the rail mounting holes for drilling. This will help insure proper placement of the rivnuts. Some of mine were off and I had to enlarge the mounting hole to get the bolts started correctly.

I bought

$67 Astro Pneumatic 1442 13" Hand Rivet Nut Setter Kit - Metric & SAE W/ 60pc Rivnuts

Astro Pneumatic 1442 rivnut tool, and some extra stainless steel rivnuts from McMaster Carr. Don't pull too hard on the tool, you'll feel it snug up, and you're done. I snapped the mandrel trying to hard.

I can tell you that it is the single most helpful thing I've done, with regard to securing bed loads. I'll try to get pictures sometime today.

 

Thanks for your post. Sorry, I just saw it I didn't get an email notification.

 

I am thinking of using it as a base point for an adjustable bed rack and also strappingi f I need it.

 

I made some brackets out of flat strap to hold my hi lift off the bed rail. The bed rail cracked after a season or so of wheeling

 

That's what I'm afraid of.