Pistol Pete's OkSt Edition Build

Advantage torzatop installed. I was NOT able to make the t-handle clamps work without the bed rail brackets... Those T-handle clamps won't even tighten enough to suit me, the cover is tight to the bed but the clamps flop around like a limp .... you know what.

However, pops was happy with it so thats all that matters.

On another note...
Eric, what metal did you use to mount your shovel? I was trying to use 1.5" flat stock and it isn't easy to bend by hand (with a vise and plyers) so i gave up on that idea.... Now i need to try something else, preferably aluminum or stainless. I was just going to paint the steel flatstock with rustoleum but now that also seems like a bad idea because i'd have to touch it up in a few years.

Cheers,
Mason

 

Glad he is happy with it. Is it possible to add some finder washers to tighten it up a bit?

I used the 1-1/2" plane flat steel bar 1/8" thick. Only tools I used for the bend was a vice and a sledge hammer. Bent it over about 3/4 of the way by hand and then took the sledge to it. I was surprised at how well the bends came out. Also they are not an exact 90° bend, but more like 95° to help wedge the bracket onto the ledge in the bed of the truck. I have yet to paint mine. Maybe this will be some motivation, and I'll post some pics to show what I'm talking about.

I'm still looking for something to wedge between the steel and composite bed keep the brackets from "shaving" the plastic down from the normal bouncing around that happens back there....just had an idea for that. I've still got the holes from my bed mat that I cut out. I think that they could work well for what I'm trying to accomplish.

 

I have a video of how the clamps flop around, i'll post it and see what you think.
I don't know how to remedy it.

What about a rubber or silicone cover to the ends of those pieces of metal to keep them from rubbing the composite bed?

 

In this video, you can see how the clamps flop around...i want them to stay perfectly verticle but when i hold them there...they spring right back to the awkward position again.

http://youtu.be/SEgOgLLwc4k

 

That is stupid

Can you stack some fender washers in that gap in the threads to keep it more vertical?

 

The more tight it is, the more it wants to be cocked...i see what you're saying but i have to have it be as easy for him to operate as possible.

Less moving parts = better
lol

I was thinking of something stuffed up in that shinny metal bracket in the bed rail, to make that clamp only have so much to grab but

 

Found some 1.5" flat stock gonna make that work. Going now to get stainless hardware. Hoping to use stainless wing nuts on the back of the quick fists.

 

Cool man, why the wing nut? Do you plan on removing the quickfists from the bracket often?

I just got mine painted today and dipped the base to keep them from rubbing the lip.

 

Added some more orange to the ride

 

Two things, i put silicone covers on the bent part of my mounts to keep them from rubbing into the bed...i also want to space them out with washer like you did though...that was a great idea

Annnnnnd, have been wanting to do my engine cover like that but with blaze blue plasti dip on the emblem and lettering

Also, i ended up not going with a wing nut, i went with 10mm stainless nuts washers and bolts to hold the quickfists on the flatstock

 

Where did you get the silicone covers?

I just used a paint pen from Wal-Mart found in the craft section. Using plasti dip would be a pain to tape all that off.

 

My silicone covers? Um..... the hospital....the were on some sort sharp instrument to keep them from poking through their sterile packaging.

Its a part that they normally throw away with packaging anyway so i figured what they hell, i'll try them.

They fit 1" flat stock beautifully:

 

Nice! I was looking for something like that before I ended up dipping mine. I'll still be on the lookout in case I come across something to fit the end of the 1.5 inch flat stock for a more long term solution.

 

Finally got my Redline Tuning hood struts installed today

 

Fantastic! Did you go with the elites? How do you feel your install went? Mine was a pain in the ass but they make every tacoma owner without them soooooo jealous

You also should see my newly modified shovel mount

 

Yes, I went with the elite and picked them up on the TW discount. My install was really pretty easy. I borrowed a friends professional rivet gun and a buddy gave me an extra hand. Having all the right tools makes all the difference.

Yeah, I'm jealous that you have the room for two tools. My shovel (which is bad ass) takes up too much room to add an axe. I plan on mounting one on the front rail soon.

 

The reason i don't have them on the front of the bed is because i still want to be able to load ATVs and motorcycles without having to remove them. there is no shame in your shovel mount man, your shovel is way bigger than mine...no wonder an axe won't fit with it. I just went with a cheap shovel at bLowes (yes...Lowes blows).

The hardest part about the hood strut install was breaking over tue handle on the big rivet gun :|

I also hated to drill my truck

 

Good point! I just moved a fridge today and that would have been annoying to have to take that off just to load it all the way to the front.

 

I like to think i come up with some decent ideas lol. So far its holding up nicely.

Any ideas what your next mod will be?