Closed - Internal Stiffeners

On the subject of making these, I'll be buying another air over hydraulic bottle jack soon to help make these.

Manual bending of parts will get old quick.

 

I'm most definitely not suggesting you should change anything! Without seeing final install, I just wondered if it even would interfere (it may not at all). Again, I'm not a paying customer, so I'm not suggesting to add material/increase the price for others! Just contributing to thread to throw out ideas. If they stick, cool; if not, also cool lol. It may be a non-issue for 99.9% of people. It likely wouldn't be an issue for me if I did intend to buy; just playing devils advocate to try and give constructive feedback! Whether the tiedown piece move down or up, it would only complicate things; my line of thinking was moreso extending the material downwards and then jetting out for the tiedown (like an "L"), or flip it upwards if you so choose - customer could decide.

FWIW, I only mention this because its about the only gripe I've seen in (external) bed stiffener threads - the material of the brackets interfering with bed cargo. I would imagine an internal stiffener would capitalize on the areas the external options suck at. Maybe even an extremely simplified version with no tiedown as a base product. The existing button holes can serve as the mounts for all the "add-on" pieces, such as a tie down, bottle opener, etc.

OR, just keep it as is since you've got a line of people 100% happy with whats already made lol. Great job either way; always enjoy watching these projects!

 

I don't see any benefit to lowering the tie down. The truck comes with a stock tie down on the floor in each rear corner anyway, and the tie downs we are adding should not interfere with bed platforms.

The extra bolt tailgate support that I brought up was less about notching to avoid interference, and more wondering if adding a hole for the extra bolt might be in the cards. I think it is too much at this point in the project though. Once the internal parts are installed, I have a couple of ideas for different versions of the "tie down" plate that might add functionality. Since the internal parts are already in place, it would simply use those holes and bolt on in place of the current design.

 

Even if you're not a customer, the thread exists to take in any constructive criticism, ideas, etc.

Initial post - I started the thread not only to make those aware that I'll be making these, but to listen to what people want to see added or removed.

A simplified version already exists. It's shorter as in it does not extend any way laterally and just serves as an exterior bracket to "sandwich" the bed to the internal bracket.

 

Gotcha, I wasn't aware! This thread is the first I've heard of internal bed stiffeners. I think the idea and execution is great, and from the sounds of it, @MagicToolbox doesn't seem to think the tiedown plate would interfere, so I don't think my concerns are even an issue! Now knowing that a base version already exists, my only feedback would revolve around offering different versions of the tiedown plate as toolbox suggested. I think the product is solid, and my only ideas are how to add on additional things.

When I first saw the thread, I must admit I thought the purpose of the product was to reinforce the rear quarters (for people who have cut them for HC rear bumpers).

 

Put my name on the list for a set! Also want the button heads and standard tie down.

 

These "hidden stiffys" as I call them, reinforce the fiberglass bed which is prone to spreading out when a load is placed on the bed rails such as might happen with a bed cap or camper. They do narrow the tailgate opening by a total of 0.325", 0.725" if the full size 3D printed backers are in place (1/2 of that dimension on each side) and only in a 3" or so area near the latch mechanism at that. All the other bed stiffeners take up much more space.

 

I would strongly suggest considering different hardware. Every black oxide bolt I've had rusted relatively quickly - and I'm not even in a rust prone area. It's just not a good coating for automotive/outdoor applications. Of course, zinc looks to be about 70% more expensive

 

I would prefer button heads, if there are enough. Thanks and look forward to final numbers.

 

Well that really sucks.

I've used black oxide myself in various applications, but not something I use all the time.

Order has been placed as of last night but I'll say this. If bolts are turning to rust after a few months, I'll order up some stainless hardware and send out some replacements. I can't promise to do this for everyone though but if it occurs, I'd switch to stainless for future orders so the issue no longer exists.

Trying not to add more costs to myself but also don't want to make it hard on anyone.

 

interested! looking forward to some install pics too.

 

Name added.

 

Just need to be tagged here!

No PMs necessary yet

Got a few already so appreciate it! Just don't want them to get lost as it's easier to track here.

Thanks for understanding!

 

@Kwikvette Brother! Alright, my bad for PMing you. Put me down for the hex heads throughout and f bomb.

 

No worries, it won't be a deal breaker for me. If the final iteration ends up having black oxide hardware I'll just order my own zinc or stainless to replace it with.

 

Ditto

 

Oh no it was 4 all at once

Not sure if I'm the only one but I have this tendency to read a text message, do a mental reply, and forget to ever reply to it thinking I already did

 

I'll remove the cost of bolts for you and anyone else that decides to utilize their own hardware.

I'm not going to charge for something people will not use however, I would use the black oxide bolts themselves. I had looked over what the discontinued set uses, and they use black oxide grade 10 bolts for all internal bolts.

Some may want to use them, other's wont. Hope this is fair.

After a few orders, I'll purchase stainless hardware and make those the default bolts for this application. Overall cost may change though for the final product (using stainless bolts).

 

As an update, called my steel supplier and steel cost remains the same as of late so I'll update the initial post with pricing.

 

@Kwikvette all hex and standard tie down for me as well.