Closing the Large Underail Bed Holes

[Spurshot]

Is there any better solution to filling those 8 big, odd shaped holes under the bed rail? My 08 had them and I thought GM had lost their minds. These holes are a manufacturing shortcut, in my opinion. I run toppers on all my trucks. These holes suck in dirt and moisture. You'd think GM would come up with a better design that eliminated this.

 

I had the foam blocks in my last truck. It works to some degree.

 

Is there a better solution?

[chuckl1218]

I installed the bed seal kit that includes gasket material for the front of the bed and tailgate as well as the foam blocks. Really sealed it up for me. In addition to the dust coming in around the stake holes, I also had water leaking in around the tailgate. Nothing now. If interested, I can look up the Amazon link for you. I couldn't find anything better.

[Mike-1000]

I have the foam blocks and they work fine. I thought about just getting matching color duct tape or maybe even foil tape since that stuff will stick to anything. I don't think either of those choices would look any worse than the foam blocks hanging out.

 

Mike

[Gun Designer]

Are you refering to the slots on the inside of the bed? My 2011 had plastic plugs in those holes. Maybe if they are the same size you could get them. I was going to look at my new truck when it comes in and see if they will work. If not I was going to look at the wing nut type plugs you can get for electrical enclosures, and paint them to match. Should be waterproof, only drawback might be the wingnut on the inside.

[Full Lock]

Pics?

[chuckl1218]

There are a lot of places that dust gets into the bed and it is very noticable when a bed cover is installed.

 

First, there is a gap in the bed wall at the front (opposite the tailgate)where the section behind the cab meets the floor. The kit I am referring to provided a gasket that seals this gap from top near the bed rail to bottom, across the width and up the other side to the bed rail.

 

Next, there are foam blocks that plug the gaps on both sides where the stake rails meet the bed under the bed rails along the front and back and above the wheel well humps in the middle. If you take a flashlight and look under the rails, you can see these gaps easily.

 

Moving on to the tailgate, the kit provided gasket material to run from under the bed rail on one side down along the bed between the tailgate and bed, ending at the bed rail on the other side. They also include other gasket material to seal the ends of the tailgate near the top. This gasket also seals out water intrusion from around the tailgate.

 

Finally, they include clear stickers to put on the round holes on the bed sides, if your bed doesn't already have covers on them. Mine had covers on all other holes except the drain holes at the front of the bed which I did not cover.

 

I have no pics because I installed a Bedrug after sealing the bed, but here is a link to the kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B6IF6S/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I hope this helps.

Edited April 20, 2014 by chuckl1218

[baminear]

There are a lot of places that dust gets into the bed and it is very noticable when a bed cover is installed.

 

First, there is a gap in the bed wall at the front (opposite the tailgate)where the section behind the cab meets the floor. The kit I am referring to provided a gasket that seals this gap from top near the bed rail to bottom, across the width and up the other side to the bed rail.

 

Next, there are foam blocks that plug the gaps on both sides where the stake rails meet the bed under the bed rails along the front and back and above the wheel well humps in the middle. If you take a flashlight and look under the rails, you can see these gaps easily.

 

Moving on to the tailgate, the kit provided gasket material to run from under the bed rail on one side down along the bed between the tailgate and bed, ending at the bed rail on the other side. They also include other gasket material to seal the ends of the tailgate near the top. This gasket also seals out water intrusion from around the tailgate.

 

Finally, they include clear stickers to put on the round holes on the bed sides, if your bed doesn't already have covers on them. Mine had covers on all other holes except the drain holes at the front of the bed which I did not cover.

 

I have no pics because I installed a Bedrug after sealing the bed, but here is a link to the kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B6IF6S/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I hope this helps.

I read a few of the reviews for that product on amazon and some claimed to have trouble with the adhesive not sticking. Did you have any issues with the adhesive during installation or after?

[chuckl1218]

so far, no issues. I did prep every spot where the gasket attaches with alcohol and had to wait until the right ambient temp so that it would stick.

[western car]

I use an aerosol can top black.

[Magicwood]

On 4/19/2014 at 11:05 AM, Spurshot said:

Is there any better solution to filling those 8 big, odd shaped holes under the bed rail? My 08 had them and I thought GM had lost their minds. These holes are a manufacturing shortcut, in my opinion. I run toppers on all my trucks. These holes suck in dirt and moisture. You'd think GM would come up with a better design that eliminated this.

 

I had the foam blocks in my last truck. It works to some degree.

 

Is there a better solution?

Let me know if you find a better solution. I am getting ready for next weekend at which time I will apply a sheet of plastic 4 mil and a piece of cardboard after it to the space between the bed and cab. I will then support it with some towels stuffed between the cardboard and the cab to hold it in place then spray foam the area from inside. Will have to shoot the foam in through a couple holes still in the spray in bed liner but should give me plenty of space to spray. After sitting over night I will remove these and hope for the best. Will get color match paint at auto store to paint the foam between the bed and cab for whatever shows. Tghe plastic and cardboard should greatly limit the area it travels to but one dry it can be shaved off before painting. A 1200.00 bed cover and still my tools in truck bed get drinched due to these holes. One at the corner on both sides of the bed. Rediculous.

 

[Spurshot]

Well, more than 8 years and 95,000 miles later, i still only have those foam blocks in there.  It's been dustier than I would like, but seems to keep most of the junk out.  

 

But, I did just think of another route.  I have some soft aluminum sheet with adhesive back.  Its pretty thick, maybe 10 mils if I recall correctly.