How thick is the bed rail?

[PJereb]

I need a favor.



I am ordering up 1/2" stainless steel button head cap screws to mount my cab guard on my 2004. 5 which I don't have yet. I WILL be picking it up on Friday!



I need to know how thick the bed rail is, so I can order the correct length screws.



Below is a picture of the exact cab guard, although I will not have a toolbox like the truck in the photo.



Thanks for your time!

Peter





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[SRadke]

You talking like the thickness of the sheet metal? I'd guess 1/8" because you'll likely have two layers to go through. Just a guess though.



-Scott

 

[Sarge]

You didn't say specifically which way the bolts go, so here is both dimensions... ... . The width is 2. 50 inches at the edges, and 2. 00 inches in the middle. The rail is curved. The depth is 3. 50 inches at the front edge of the rail, and 5. 00 inches at the back. The rail is on a 45 degree angle on the inside of the box, slopeing from the inside edge, towards the cab. On the back side of the rail, between the box and the cab, the rail has a lip that sticks down about a half an inch, other than that it is just the thickness of the metal. Hope that helps... ... ... ... ... Sarge

 

[PJereb]

That is a whole lot of info!



Are you saying the bed rail is boxed somehow?



Hopefully this picture of a Ford below will help show what I am doing.



I need to drill two holes vertically through the top of the bed rail and bolt down the cab guard.















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[PJereb]

I need to drill four holes, two on each side rail, just like a toolbox, it does not mount to the front of the bed. Hopefully that is a clear explanation





Thanks again!

Peter

 

[SRadke]

Yea, it is sorta boxed in places. My suggestion is plan on just the thickness of the metal for your bolts and then drill the hols in such a place where that is what you'll end up with. That is what I did when I bolted my toolbox down. You'll have to get back behind the front stake pocket to do this.



-Scott

 

[GFritsch]

Looks to me like you will be drilling through 2 pieces. Don't overtighten and crush. Stainless hardware with nylock nuts would be my choice. I would go with an over the rail spray in liner prior to install, if funds permit. I used to run an over the rail box, and the rubbing and rust is enevitable.



3 more days Peter!

 

[PJereb]

Thanks for the replies!



I think I will end up mounting it with cheap hardware, then ordering the correct length stainless after I get it mounted, so that I am positive of the length. I was worried that the bed rails would be strange, guess I am not working on a 1970’s pickup anymore……



Greg,

I am going to have it sprayed over the rail with bed liner ASAP.