DIY using the bed rails

What specific hardware do you guys usually use to mount things on you bed rails?

I'm thinking about making something to hold my traction boards.

 

Lots of choices on Amazon if you can slide them out the back of the rail.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tacoma+t+nuts&crid=3GCSEEHMZ4NSS&sprefix=tacoma+t+%2Caps%2C108&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_5_9

The ones from Hondo Garage are awesome. Especially if you have a cover or cap mounted to the rails and can't slide the T-nut all the way in from the back.

https://hondogarage.com/products/toyota-utility-track-t-nut-4-pack

 

Awesome, I really should have googled I guess. I was set on making something from home depot.

 

You can still make it work with only a Home Depot trip, but the t-nuts are the best solution. You can make nearly any kind of DIY bracket with a stick of steel flat bar, some t-nuts, and 3/8" bolts. If you're dead set on getting everything at Home Depot and not ordering proper t-nuts, you can use 3/8 spring/strut nuts - they'll just need to be grinded down some to fit, and just clip the spring off.

Easiest solution is to drill some holes through flat bar to mount to the bed rails, then drill some holes further down to stick some long bolts through for your traction boards. Throw some wingnuts on, and call it a day. Don't forget some spray paint.

 

Yeah, Ill probably go with the t-nuts. Thanks for the advice on the other parts!

 

use the search function in the top right corner of the page, and look for "DIY mount" in titles only, and you'll find all kinds of inspiration. Some aluminum or steel flat bar, drill bits, and correct hardware can go a long way for any kind of mount you want to make. I've DIY'd mounts for a hi lift jack, shovel, axe, portable shower, and a couple other random ideas out of flat bar. You can even get fancy and make bends in a vice with a hammer for a little extra support against the bedside instead of just free hanging from the rails. If you haven't already, check out "quickfist" clamps. They come in different sizes and can be used with these DIY flat bar mounts for axe/shovel/fire extinguisher, etc.

 

This is pretty cool too
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/maxtrax-and-actiontrac-bed-mount-for-3rd-gen-tacomas.649875/

 

Thats actually a pretty cool solution; haven't seen this before! Although I don't even own traction boards, props to the creator for a super simple solution.

 

I just watched a youtube video on mounting the shovel and axe with the bar and quick fists. Is that you?

 

negative; this is about the only social media I do.

 

Darn. Thanks for the help!

 

I have the xbulls, doesnt look like it works for these

 

I used the factory tie down things to make a longboard surfboard holder. Had a tailgate guard on my last 2 trucks that I left on all the time. Rusted the hell out of the tailgate.