MRoss Build Thread

[mross217]

Picked up my 2016 TEP on Dec 31st. Figured that was as good as any day to go shopping. Ended up with a pretty good deal on a Super White. Traded in a 2011 Tundra.
First mod was Plasti-Dipping the front and rear bumpers. First time using it, but I have to say it was easier than expected. (lots of good advice provided on this forum).
Second mod was building a sliding cargo rack, which is why I am starting this thread. I will try to detail the parts and how I built it with "after" pictures (my mistake not taking pictures along the way).

I have since added Bilstein 5100's in the front (set at 1.75") and Bilsteins in the rest with 1" CornFed spacers. Wheels and tires are next!!

OK, first things first. Here she is today. Feb 21st

 

[mross217]

Here is the sliding cargo deck

 

[mross217]

Here are the parts l used for sliding cargo deck

The foundation rails are extruded aluminum rails from a Wayne Dalton 8350 glass aluminum doors. (I'm in the garage door business) here is the profile. They are 1-3/8" wide and about 3" tall.

3 extruded aluminum rails: The back rail piece was cut at 39". The side rail pieces were cut at 34". Where these connected I mitered the edges and used 3/4" angles from Lowes to secure the pieces together top and bottom. What worked out perfectly is the top of the extruded rail has a channel that the angle fit snuggly into and the bottom had a channel that the angle fit into to make the connection points very firm and secure.

 

[mross217]

Bottom rail connect point

 

[mross217]

Next I used 32" heavy duty draw slides purchased from Amazon. There are the Firgelli Automations 32" Inch Guide Rail - 400lbs Capacity (there is no way these will handle 400 lbs). I wish I went for the 3" heavier slides, may have to upgrade soon.

 

[djtc]

I was just about to buy those slides in 34" for my drawers , good thing I didn't!

 

[mross217]

The deck is 3/4" Birch plywood.. I could have gone with a lesser grades, but the cost difference was not that much. The deck is 41" x 35". I capped all the edges in aluminum (Lowes).
The diamond plate look is vinyl. I used double sided tape and secured it under the aluminum edges. I may be upgrading this to a an aluminum sheet soon. want to see how it hold up. I added the bottle opener for functional reasons!

 

[mross217]

To keep the deck from sliding back and forth I repurposed a child safety cabinet door latch. Had a bag of these laying around so it was an easy choice..

I cut a 2-1/2" hole to reach in to unlatch deck and it slides out.

 

[mross217]

To secure the base to the cargo area i drilled holes in the back rail and ran a eyelet bolt with an S hook. These attach to the D hooks and then the wing nut tightens it snuggly.

 

[mross217]

Used toggles bolts to secure the sides tight.. it removes and installs in less that 2 minutes.

 

[Magnetic4R]

Great Job on the sliding cargo!

 

[Brookey_813]

Here is the sliding cargo deck

How much weight can you put on that and slide it out okay? Would like to do something similar for camping gear and some things are heavy. The original sliding trays can hold over 200 lbs.