[DarylB]

I would like to make some additional tie downs for the utili-track. I would also like to make some racks to haul ladders, lumber, etc. over the crew cab. Does anyone have any ideas or plans how to make extra utili-track fasteners?


DarylB
2007 Nissan Frontier SE Crew Cab
Joplin, MO

 

[jaho1979]

You can buy additional tie-downs (check ebay), and there is an overhead rack system available from Nissan that works with the utilitrac rails...see attached.

 

[loufish]

Oh...grasshooper I have what you seek...

Take the bed stops and remove the 10mm head bolt(it's staked to keep it from falling out, spray plenty of WD-40 and keep working it in and out till it comes all the way out) and then drill out the top aluminum block to 7/16", the drill out the steel base to 25/64" and then tap the base to 7/16"-20 to accept the forged eye bolts used for clip in racing seat belts...

The last pic you can see what they look like when on the truck, I use these for everything, the eye bolt itself is rated for 5,000 lbs...

 

[Seerex]

If you go to home depot look in the hvac section there are spring nuts that will allow you to pretty much attach anything to the utiltrac system.

 

[loufish]

If you go to home depot look in the hvac section there are spring nuts that will allow you to pretty much attach anything to the utiltrac system.

Not bagging, but how strong are they? My set-up is used to hold my bikes, and all sorts of stuff that gets tied down hard...

 

[Seerex]

The thickness of the backing plate is about the same, Never had an issue ever and neither have titan friends who i have given them to . I wouldn't use them for a full size motorcycle because it doesn't cost that much to buy the others but I use to fabricate fishing rod holders and moutain bike mounts. I am sure they would hold a motorcycle by why take the chance. They are mainly to allow you to bolt up other stuff to the bed than as a securing device as itself.

 

[loufish]

I wouldn't use them for a full size motorcycle because it doesn't cost that much to buy the others but I use to fabricate fishing rod holders and moutain bike mounts. I am sure they would hold a motorcycle by why take the chance. They are mainly to allow you to bolt up other stuff to the bed than as a securing device as itself.

Got it...Thanks

 

[DarylB]

Thanks. Next time I'm in Home Depot I'll check out the spring nuts!

DarylB
Joplin, MO

 

[DeadRiver]

daryl, i've been dying to fab my own overhead racks for my titan.. something that suites my needs better... let me know if you want specifics on what i've found so far. the utilitrack sure is handy to have and i belive it's similar to another product, Unitstrut, which they make quite a few pieces of hardware for. I currently own the overhead racks, sliding bed extender, and bed divider. i just wish the overhead rack front portion hung over the cab slightly...

 

[thclimer]

daryl, i've been dying to fab my own overhead racks for my titan.. something that suites my needs better... let me know if you want specifics on what i've found so far. the utilitrack sure is handy to have and i belive it's similar to another product, Unitstrut, which they make quite a few pieces of hardware for. I currently own the overhead racks, sliding bed extender, and bed divider. i just wish the overhead rack front portion hung over the cab slightly...

Since the overhead racks were not tall or wide enough I had a friend fabricate a set of these for me:

 

[DeadRiver]

those look pretty good thclimber, but still not what i'm searching for. i know a few manufacture's make them, i've seen them on e-bay quite a bit. my longest surfboard is 9'4" and a bit of it hangs over the cab. i could add a thule top bar to the overhead racks sold by nissan to help with the problem, but ultimately i think it'd be cool to make my own. i'm trying to use rectangular tubing so they look a little more beefed up and match the boxiness of the titan wheels and door handles.

here's the titan fully loaded for a surf trip:

it would be nice to have something that went up to possibley the mid-point of the cab roof. in time i'd also like to own a canoe so that would be an added bonus when that time finally comes. i've also been looking at the canvas cab shells that work like a boat canvas and fold up. i'll probably use the utilitrack to mount it all up, unless i come up with a better idea. i think i'd need a horizontal back support if i cantilevered the rack that far onto the cab though.

 

[DarylB]

Thanks for all of the great ideas. I will check them out. I also asked this question on the Frontier forum. I didn't get much response but I did get this one that I will share with you.

Here it is:
Go to an electrical distributor. They have this stuff called cantruss or unistrut. You can buy it in the same dimensions as the utilitrack bars. It is like a giant mechano set. You can make anything with it.

I have a rack big enough for two whitewater canoes. I just welded some 1.5 in square tubing together and bolted it to the track with some cantruss "spring nuts" Check this out. Every frontier owner should have a good supply of cantruss!

You can find them at unistrut.com

DarylB
Joplin, MO
2007 Nissan Frontier SE Crew Cab

 

[gotboost?]

Thats a cool idea!

 

[Seerex]

The unistrut is the name of the item I was refering to , they have it at home depot as I mentioned but I went to a supply house the guy gave me a bunch for free because I think they are sold by the 100 lb box he said .

 

[Machado7]

Oh...grasshooper I have what you seek...

Take the bed stops and remove the 10mm head bolt(it's staked to keep it from falling out, spray plenty of WD-40 and keep working it in and out till it comes all the way out) and then drill out the top aluminum block to 7/16", the drill out the steel base to 25/64" and then tap the base to 7/16"-20 to accept the forged eye bolts used for clip in racing seat belts...

The last pic you can see what they look like when on the truck, I use these for everything, the eye bolt itself is rated for 5,000 lbs...

I dont which is cooler- the tie downs or the bottle opener in the pic.

 

[Machado7]

If you go to home depot look in the hvac section there are spring nuts that will allow you to pretty much attach anything to the utiltrac system.

Can you attach pics? Im going to Home Depot in the am.

 

[Seerex]

here you go , at home depot they come in a clear plastic bag and go by the name of superstrut but are also names unistrut, seen then in the hvac area and in the electrical area. When attached in the channel you can basically bolt anything up to it, I attached my fishing rod holders to them as well as a bike fork holder to hold my mountain bike upright in the truck. Good Luck

 

[Machado7]

here you go , at home depot they come in a clear plastic bag and go by the name of superstrut but are also names unistrut, seen then in the hvac area and in the electrical area. When attached in the channel you can basically bolt anything up to it, I attached my fishing rod holders to them as well as a bike fork holder to hold my mountain bike upright in the truck. Good Luck

What a great tip. My mind is racing w/ ideas. Thanks for the fun.

 

[DarylB]

Machado7,

I have an "off the thread" question. I spent 17 years with Missouri's conservation department but I never saw a fish like you've got. What is it?

DarylB
Joplin, MO

 

[cneary812]

here you go , at home depot they come in a clear plastic bag and go by the name of superstrut but are also names unistrut, seen then in the hvac area and in the electrical area. When attached in the channel you can basically bolt anything up to it, I attached my fishing rod holders to them as well as a bike fork holder to hold my mountain bike upright in the truck. Good Luck

those unistrut spring holders are actually quite strong. I have them in my work truck (16' box truck) and use them to secure carts and lots of things. I just screw u bolts right into them and they secure 500lb + carts easily. The only thing is that unistrut is usually made of steel and alot bigger than our utilitracks are... but the springs are a really good idea, wish I thought of that before you brought it up. :cheers: