Jack_Toepfer
Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Hi Guys, new here but figured I’d share my latest little project so that I could secure groceries as well as 8’ lumber. This isn’t “done”, just a prototype made out of scraps I had around the shop. It’s all 3/4” ply.
I bought a bag of 6 bolts that fit into the (not so) threaded hole near the tailgate in the back of the truck on Amazon for $15. This lets me make a couple for the neighbors, or make other accessories that use those holes. After some rough measurements inside of my 5.5’ bed I determined that a divider could go roughly 20” in from the tailgate, any more and it interferes with the wheel tubs, and would make it difficult for my wife or kids to reach anything in the bed. I also measured from the front of the bed to a couple inches beyond the open tailgate to get to 8’ total length when extended.
The divider piece (the large panel with the handles) is going to get a bunch of holes cut into it for straps or bungees to tie to. I’m adding a small spacer between the arms and the bed side to make it less “floppy” side to side. When the divider is in place, it stiffens up the whole deal, but I want it more rigid when going from inside the bed to outside.
Because it’s a prototype it’s just pocket-hole screwed together. Glue/screw and paint in the final phase. It all fits nicely under the tonneau cover.
Take note, because the extender extends a couple inches past the tailgate that the panel sits on some additional pieces of wood, or it would fall to the ground.
Once I’m “done” with it I can share some more information because I may make some changes. This is already v2.
I bought a bag of 6 bolts that fit into the (not so) threaded hole near the tailgate in the back of the truck on Amazon for $15. This lets me make a couple for the neighbors, or make other accessories that use those holes. After some rough measurements inside of my 5.5’ bed I determined that a divider could go roughly 20” in from the tailgate, any more and it interferes with the wheel tubs, and would make it difficult for my wife or kids to reach anything in the bed. I also measured from the front of the bed to a couple inches beyond the open tailgate to get to 8’ total length when extended.
The divider piece (the large panel with the handles) is going to get a bunch of holes cut into it for straps or bungees to tie to. I’m adding a small spacer between the arms and the bed side to make it less “floppy” side to side. When the divider is in place, it stiffens up the whole deal, but I want it more rigid when going from inside the bed to outside.
Because it’s a prototype it’s just pocket-hole screwed together. Glue/screw and paint in the final phase. It all fits nicely under the tonneau cover.
Take note, because the extender extends a couple inches past the tailgate that the panel sits on some additional pieces of wood, or it would fall to the ground.
Once I’m “done” with it I can share some more information because I may make some changes. This is already v2.
I wish I was this and so does my wife lol 
this looks great. Love the adjustable
