Bed rails attachments.

I'm looking for some t-nuts that will fit the bed rails and are threaded for 1/2" bolts to be used with my Back Rack (headache rack). All the nuts I can see are threaded for smaller - do we know of any 1/2" threaded that still fit in our rails?

 

Maybe just a 1/2" nut? I can check later for you

 

You will need to verify dimensions but this may work.
https://www.amazon.com/INCH-2-13-T-SLOT-NUT-3900-1204/dp/B00DVTPN7W

 

Just as an FYI to everybody, I bought these t-slot nuts off of Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B072LTS12Z/ref=pe_3034960_236394800_TE_3p_dp_1) and it was a total disaster! The nuts took a while to ship, which was fine, but when they arrived they were of terrible quality. I thought I could still make due, however once I mounted them and started threading my bolts, the soft metal that they were made of began to deform. Very quickly my bolts became stuck in the nuts, and removing them was a total PITA! Not only that, but they were so stuck onto the bolts (which were made in USA good quality bolts) that the t-slot nuts ended up completely deforming my bed rails - something that I hope I can bend back into shape but am concerned it may not work as well down the line.

Anyway, just wanted to tell everybody to avoid these products - not sure if they devolved in quality or if they were always bad, but I don't want any of you guys & gals to go through the same headache that I am going through!

 

Trying to understand why these work better than the t-nuts. and what the spring actually does. Keeps tension on bolt to keep it from backing out?

 

Has anyone tried simply removing the bed rails completely mounting unistrut directly using the existing holes? Seems like it would easy and allow for multiple racking options. I work for an electrical distributor and have access to the full line of unistrut which seems like the way to go. Before I take the rails off, curious if anyone else has tried this?

 

sounds like a great idea...

 

It's been done. A better option would be logistics track. Would have a more finished look, more hardware options, and its fairly inexpensive. IMO that's how Toyota should have done it in the first place.

 

It may not be pretty but here's my cheaper approach using unistrut hardware.

Used some 3x1 aluminum channel and uni strut hardware to make some bedside mounts. I cut some longer ones for the back of bed to mount my max traxs and a few 2x12 boards. I used some shorter ones for the sides and mounted quick fist for a few other items. All material purchased locally, nothing fancey.

 

I bought these tapped T nuts off Amazon and they won't fit in the bed rail tracks beyond the bolts holding the track in place.

Can you remove the bolts without a nut on the backside falling off or do these bolts thread into a tapped hole in the body of the bed?

Edit: These do in fact fit in the track moving past the bolt heads. When you have to re-edit your first edit maybe it's a sign I should give up on posting here. The issue I had with fitment was due to the Snugtop hardware. I inserted these on the other end of the track (cab end instead of tailgate) and they fit well.

 

I thought it better to revive this thread vs start a new one based on the similarity of the project.

Has anyone tried mounting anything like this to a bed rail using the T nuts? I'd like to drop them down a few inches so my tri-fold cover can close when not in use. My only concern is the bottom flopping around. Is there some way to securely drill into my plastic bed to firm up the bottom?


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Taco-ROD-R...620271?hash=item3b0406ba6f:g:R4gAAOSw~gRV397y

 

T

There is a thread somewhere. The OP used a Rotopax Tacoma bed mount. Hard to find and not cheep. Should be easy to do with some flat aluminum/steel and the t-slot setup.

Found it!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-fishing-rod-holder-using-rotopax-mount.272155/

 

I was thinking along the lines as that guys thread. He has the same bed cover I do. I think I could skip the rotoplex and get a small sheet of 1/4" aluminum or starboard and do something similar. My concern is that there will be movement on the lower half of the plate that is not secured.

Is there anyway to insert threads, along the lines of a drywall anchor, into our plastic beds?

 

I would think you would be fine if you had two mounting points in the rail. If the placement is right, you could always tie it into the bolts for the cubby/110v oultlet.

 

I like the ideas. I was eyeballing the outlet corner of the bed to mount it too. I don't use the outlet or that tiny cubby. I'll see if what I'm thinking lines up with the existing nuts, or I'll try something like the riv nuts. This may be something that I'm over thinking...

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Bolt through with a backing plate. Don't use rivnuts.

 

This may have been mentioned, but has anyone tried these:

$33 GZSJY T-Slot Nuts & 3/8"-16 Hand Knob Tightening Screw for Toyota Bed Deck Rail - Stainless Steel, 4 Pack for Tacoma & Tundra Cleats, Tie Downs and Accessories

https://smile.amazon.com/GZSJY-T-Sl...eywords=toyota+bed+rail&qid=1570646535&sr=8-5

They are a little spendy, but they claim to be made for this application...

 

You can find T-Nuts at most hardware stores. That’s way too much $

 

Hot damn I knew i bought those things for a reason...I must have been drunk. I swear I opened the package and was like...what in the hell is this?
I threw them out...whooops!!!

 

I like this approach. What is the best source for unistrut compatible hardware? Looks like I can get really creative with this stuff. Is there a unistrut section at home depot?