F150, 5.5, Elevated deck and Drawer plan Ideas

[JFlightRisk]

I do have a bottle of blue Loctite that I was going to use on the remaining mounts since I don't see the need to ever remove them, unless she decides on another truck down the line that doesn't have them already. Not likely at this point, she just got it last May.

The epoxy is a good idea also if the Loctite doesn't work as expected. Thanks!

 

[Jayhawk 29]

When you use the epoxy and wish to remove fasteners in small holes, there is an advantage to using it if the lock tight does not work correctly. You can take a heat gun and slightly heat up the head of the fasteners, of course being careful not to heat it up too much to harm the factory paint and then most fasteners will just run right back out.

There are normally two levels of heat and so try the cooler selection. Epoxy products soften when heated. A decent hair dryer for a more extended time works too.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

What you've accomplished so far is amazing. I'm impressed.

My truck had the box links already and bought a set for the DWs also. So far I've managed to get one on before it got really cold out. Amazon has a good price for the set compared to the dealers, but you do have to tap the threads out on the truck for the plate mounts. I have goth SAE and metric tap and die sets (used metric), but the screws seemed a very tiny bit loose after I tapped them out. Not sure if the screws are an odd size thread or not. I was very careful not to tighten them too much and strip them out. I'll check further when I get to the other three.

The cleats are too high up the box side to put down pressure on low things. Mostly good for holding side to side movement.

I did install D ring anchors on the sides of the BedSlide rails for down force on things like my lawnmower or a propane tank.

1/4 in. Cargo D-Ring Anchor, 2 Pack

I realized, after initially thinking they'd be too high, they could still work. I could weave the strap through the rack once under/over on each side, to create a down force. HHmmm...now I think about it, it's physics and I have no idea if it would work that way.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

I just watched a video of BoxLink install. Basically, because the bed is aluminum, they just coated the screws with petrolium and drove them right in, ...self tapping.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

I used the drawers a bit over the past couple weeks, as is, sliding them over the plastic floor. I had contemplated, when I was designing them, using some rollerball bearings installed on the base, that I found at Harbor freight. The other day they were on sale for $1, so I bought a bunch and installed them. Eight under the large drawer and six of under the shorter drawer. Oh my gosh, they roll back-and-forth so easily! I take off and I can hear them banging around back there, so I had to add a bungee strap across them so they don’t crash into the tailgate when I hit the gas.

 

[Bugzilla46310]

Late to the show, but I agree with your initial comment about the cost. I only wanted a slide. Went a slightly different route from the Op. Found a tank of a used one and restored it for about 25% the cost of new. The OEM was very helpful in getting me information and decals. Attached a picture from the ad and the finished product.

 

[JFlightRisk]

Nice! I see you did some appearance restoration while you were at it. They're so handy, I don't foresee ever having a truck without one.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

I first considered a 'slide only.' Then opted for the drawers. Not sure why...maybe I just wanted to drag out all my saws, cuz I love to cut stuff. More so because I thought the best use for my new cap cover was to utilize the new, vertical space I'd have.

Good job finding the bargain and giving it new life. It looks super heavy duty! I have some of those reflector stickers. Someone gas me a pack of them. Not sure when I'll ever use them, but they're really heavy duty.

I plan to only store easily accessible items on the top layer, that I can grab and reach with a truck reacher thingie, like my fold flat chairs and camp tables. The only stationary thing up there and stropped down will be my EcoFlow Delta Pro electric generator. I'll be able to access it via the roll-up sides of the soft topper.