Unistrut in 2016 Sierra

bloomingtonmike · December 28, 2016

I tested out some 1 5/8 Unistrut mounted in my 3500hd. These are test 41" long pieces I already had. Testing them out with som Nissan Titan parts I kept from trading in (bed extender and tie downs). Next I will mount some long rails the full length of the bed. Its not really to extend my 8'bed but to corral cargo at the back and reuse parts I kept. I used the movable tie downs I got with the truck and so 50mm long 8mm 1.25 full threaded bolts and some 3/8 1.25 dia fender washers and the coated 1 5/8" x 1 5/8" Unistrut. I cut the unistrut with a porta band metal band saw and beveled the cut on a 12" disc sander.

I will get a youtube video of it up this week.

revrnd · December 31, 2016

When I saw the topic name I was thinking it was about the front suspension or something. I never thought of the industrial stuff. I used a bit of it during my working days. Good idea & probably cheaper than an aftermarket set up. Does the galvanized coating stand up to inclement weather?

bloomingtonmike · January 1, 2017

I just put a Revolver x2 cover over my bed so mine will last a long time. They sell an aluminum one too. When i extend the full bed length I will tool dip the cut as well. I also need to mill up some new brackets for the bed extender and narrow it a bit for the tonneau's rails. May add a headache rack so i need to make sure i keep.those brackets in mind too.

kstruckcountry · January 1, 2017

This is 10/10. I've been trying to figure out a way to mount my ax in the bed without drilling a ton of holes. This could work great for that.

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GlenS · January 1, 2017

What are the clamps pieces you are using in the Uni strut? great idea.

bloomingtonmike · January 2, 2017

Just remove the tie-down eyebolt and slip in a 5/16 washer that is 1.25" dia OD into the unistrut and run a 8mm 1.25 by 50mm long bolt into that washer, through the unistrut and the plate that was behind eyebolt and tighten it down.

bloomingtonmike · January 2, 2017

I made two videos on this. I have quite a few videos of stuff I do in my personal makerspace I call the Mikiespace lol. I have built a few DIY CNC machines - 5 or six routers, retrofitted a 1050 knee mill, and am working on a 1236 CNC metal lathe all to do routing, milling, turning of many materials including wood, plastics, aluminum, steel etc. I also built a 3d printer (Ordbot( and have many manual metal tools and a full cabinet shops worth of woodworking tools. Lets just say I have a lot of fun doing this kind of stuff.

Anyway here are the unistrut videos if you care to watch them.

bloomingtonmike · January 2, 2017

Also for those folks unfamiliar with unistrut here is a link to mcmastercarr for their strut. They sell a bunch of parts for it but they are pricey.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#strut-channel-systems/=15qhzka

Also shop home depot and lowes for some parts or Menards if you have one.

Also know 1/2 bolts nuts lock and flat washers also work but you need to get a wrench in behind them to hold stuff down.

The unistrut spring and flange nuts also come in 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 in addition to the usual 1/2-12.

It truely is an erector set.

I use a metal bandsaw to cut my strut. Abrasive saw or grinder would also work but will give off a ton of sparks so be careful.

bloomingtonmike · January 2, 2017

GlenS · January 2, 2017

Awesome.. thanks

revrnd · January 4, 2017

Also for those folks unfamiliar with unistrut here is a link to mcmastercarr for their strut. They sell a bunch of parts for it but they are pricey.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#strut-channel-systems/=15qhzka

Also shop home depot and lowes for some parts or Menards if you have one.

Also know 1/2 bolts nuts lock and flat washers also work but you need to get a wrench in behind them to hold stuff down.

The unistrut spring and flange nuts also come in 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 in addition to the usual 1/2-12.

It truely is an erector set.

I use a metal bandsaw to cut my strut. Abrasive saw or grinder would also work but will give off a ton of sparks so be careful.