Contents
Make sure your received everything in the correct quantities for installation:
- 4 Upright Brackets (18.5" or 24.5")
- 4 Faceplates (18.5")
- 4 Bar Brackets or Riser brackets
- 4 Bed Clamps (truck models without bed side utility rails)
- 8 Utility Rail T-nuts (truck models with bed side utility rails)
- 2 Cross Bars
- 2 Front to Back Extrusions
- 4 Front to back connector brackets
Bag 1 - Bolts
- 8x ⅜ - 16 bolts
Bag 2B - Screws and Washers
- 24 1/4-20 x ⅜" screws and washers
Bag 3 - Screws and Washers (Upright to Bar Bracket)
- 8 3/8-16 x 1" screws
- 8 large shoulder washers
- 8 small shoulder washers
- 8 3/8" Washers
- 8 Locknuts
Bag 4B - T-nuts and screws (Crossbar to bar brackets)
- 56 5/16" Carriage Bolts
- 56 5/16" Washers
- 56 5/16" Lock Nuts
- 1 tube of blue thread locker
Tools Required:
- Measuring Tape
- Hex Drivers (2 Sizes)
- Socket Wrench Set
*do not use power tools for this install
***PRE INSTALL NOTES: You will likely need to remove your Tonneau cover to attach the brackets in step 4. After the brackets are installed and in position you will need to reinstall your Tonneau cover before attaching the crossbars. Racks with bedside rails must be removed and depending on placement of the uprights, others may need to be removed as well. ***
Step 1
Prepare Screws and Brackets
Using the screws,washers, and lock nuts from Bag 4A pre install 6 into each bar end bracket or riser bracket and 4 into each front to back connector bracket, 56 total.
Step 2
Slide Front to back connector Brackets onto Crossbars
Align the carriage bolts with the t slot extrusions and slide the brackets onto the crossbars. You'll want to align it so that the "C" shape of the bracket faces inside or outside based on your aesthetic preference. If you are planning to add a MSP at any point, the "C" will need to face outward.
Step 3
Attach Faceplates or Accessory Panels to Upright Brackets
Add a small drop of threadlocker to each screw from Bag 2A. Use the screws and washers from Bag 2A to attach your faceplates or accessory panels to each corner bracket. Tighten these down now.
Step 4
Attach bar end brackets or riser brackets to your uprights
Use the screws, shoulder washers, washers and lock nuts from bag 3A to attach your bar end brackets to your 6.5" or 12.5" uprights. Make sure you put two plastic shoulder washers on the positioning pins and that you use the larger shoulder washers on the outside of the upright with the 3/8" screw. The washer and the locknut go on the inside of the bracket.
Step 5
Attach the Cross Bars.
Slide one end of your crossbar into each upright/bar end bracket and loosely tighten one of the lock nuts to prevent it from sliding off. You will need to spin the carriage bolts to get the squares to line up with the crossbar T slots.
Step 6
Connect the Front Crossbar to the Back Crossbar
Use the two pieces of 1.5" square extrusion to slide into the "C"Shaped front to back connector brackets (already attached to your crossbars in step 1). Connect one end at a time and evenly space it between your crossbars. When finished with this step, your rack should be one complete unit. Loosely tighten one bolt per connection in order to move the unit to your truck.
Step 7
Attach the rack to your truck bed.
It is recommended that you have an extra pair of hands for this step to avoid damage to the rack or personal injury.
Lift the rack as a single unit onto the truck bed with all four uprights sitting on the bedside. Add a drop of thread locker to each bolt from Bag 1. Using the supplied utility rail nuts, stud plates, or bed clamps, use the 3/8-16 bolts and washers from Bag 1, to loosely attach the rack to your truck bed. Adjust the width of the rack to match the bed precisely. You may need to adjust the location of the bracket on the crossbar to ensure each bracket is vertical. Once vertical, tighten all 6 locknuts on each bar end with a ratchet and socket. Finally adjust the length of your rack to your desired length and position using the front to back connector brackets. Once in position tighten the nuts on the front to back connectors and the connections to the truck bed. If you are using bed clamps, do not over tighten. Tighten the bolts until the clamp grabs the bedside and the upright bracket cannot move front to back, and tighten an additional turn. Do not over tighten to avoid damage to the clamp and rivet nuts. You can deform the steel by over tightening.
Step 8
Tighten All Nuts and Screws
Go over every screw in the system and ensure that it is tight. Once everything is tight your rack should feel very solid. If you push on the side and there is play, something did not go together correctly. Contact us if you have any issues. Excessive play will also cause parts to rub on each other wearing through the powder coat and opening up the possibility for rust to occur.
After driving with the rack installed for 25-50 miles on road or 10 miles offroad, check and tighten all bolts. Bolts may loosen as the rack settles. Periodically check your bolts to make sure they remain tight.
Final Words
Special Notes: We've done our best to make this product stand up to the elements, but if you accidentally scratch or damage the powder coat during assembly, we recommend using a black Plastidip spray paint(it matches the powder coat very well!) to cover any place where bare steel is exposed. Keeping your steel coated will make this product last for all of your trips and adventures to come!
Warranty: If your product arrives damaged, please let us know and send us pictures within 30 days of arrival and we will replace the damaged components free of charge. We warranty the coating for 5 years from the date of purchase. Typical wear and tear through use is not covered, but any type of manufacturer's defect such as the powder coat flaking off will be covered.
Thank You: Thanks for purchasing from TRUKD. We are a small business based out of Pittsburgh, with every part of our racks made in the USA. We appreciate every one of our customers, we wouldn't be here without you. If you are truly thrilled by our product, please leave us a review, post some pictures and tag us, or buy some accessories (to be announced later this year!). We hope to see you on the trails!