Alternate Install Video 6 – Installing the Rails

Video Transcript

With the help of a friend we’ve set the rail frame assembly on to the truck bed and now we’re ready to attach it to the mounting brackets. To mount the rail frame assembly we’ll use the next pouch of our install kit. We’ll temporarily secure the tailgate end of the rails by sliding a bolt into the t-slot and then down through the rear mounting brackets. Before attaching the rails to the mounting brackets we’ll need to adjust the spacing so there’s about 3/16 of an inch between the outside edge of the rail and the top of your truck bed. We’ll accomplish this using the spacing washers provided in your install kit. Select the number of washers that achieves the desired gap, and then place them between the t-slot and the mounting bracket. After selecting the correct number of spacing washers we’ll put them over the bolt and then slide the bolt head into the t-slot on the front of the rail, and then down through the mounting bracket. We’ll leave the bolt loose until we’ve positioned the rails. Use a 3/16 object like a drill bit to set the gap between the bottom of the rail and the tailgate. Measure from the inside lip of the truck bed to the inside edge of the rail to center the front of the frame from side to side. With the rails spaced from the tailgate and the front of the frame centered side-to-side we’ll now tighten our front mounting brackets. With the front of the frame mounted flare the rail cross piece seal out over the front wall of the truck bed. On some models where the rail cross piece seal hangs over the front of the truck bed tuck the seal under. We finished tightening the front mounting brackets and left the tailgate end of the rails loose for now. We’ll finish those mounting points after installing the panel assembly.