Contents
Make sure your received everything in the correct quantities for installation:
- 4 Upright Brackets (6.5" or 12.5")
- 4 Faceplates (6.5" or 12.5")
- 4 Bar 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
Bag 1 - Bolts
- 8x ⅜ - 16 bolts
Bag 2A - Screws and Washers
- 16 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 4A - T-nuts and screws (Crossbar to bar brackets)
- 24 5/16" Carriage Bolts
- 24 5/16" Washers
- 24 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 bracket, 24 total.
Step 2
Attach Faceplates 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 to each corner bracket. Tighten these down now.
Step 3
Attach bar ends to your 6.5" or 12.5" 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 4
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 5
Attach each bracket to your truck bed.
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 bolts and washers from Bag 1, 3/8-16 to attach the crossbars to your truck bed. It is recommended that you have an extra pair of hands to hold the brackets while you tighten the bolts. Attach each one loosely then use a measuring tape to ensure that they are placed across from each other and move as needed to align the brackets. Once the brackets are aligned, tighten them down making sure the upright is vertical. Adjust if needed to ensure each bracket is vertical. Once vertical, you can tighten all 6 nuts on each bar end with a ratchet and socket. 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 6
Tighten All 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!