What a difference sideboards make

JunkmanDan could you post a pic of it empty? Im looking to do the same thing. Thanks

Originally Posted by james2144

JunkmanDan could you post a pic of it empty? Im looking to do the same thing. Thanks

Will do, just bear with me since, as of the time of this writing, I have another load in there that I gotta dump off, but the yards are closed on Sundays...

Here's one from tonight showing how these boards are serving me more than well, nothing quite like scrapping under the light of a full autumn moon:

I was asked earlier in this thread how I did this, I figured I would show a picture guide as to how I set up these boards. I don't know if this counts as "digging up an old thread" but if it does I apologize ahead of time. Anyway, onto how I did it.

My s10, like most compact/midsize pickups (exceptions include the Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series and 1st and 2nd gen Dodge Dakota), did not come with stake pockets in the bedrails, so I improvised in making my boards. Not too long after I bought the truck, I bought a cap for it for times when I need to keep certain things back there out of the elements (pain to scrap with it on though). It required notching out my over-the-rail bedliner more than it was by the factory cargo tie-downs:

The left front cap clamp mounting point/makeshift pocket:


The left rear one:


The right front one:


The right rear one:


These four points serve as the vertical post mounting points for my boards. The L/F one is actually a couple inches shallower than the rest because of how the fuel tank inlet hose routes underneath the bed. The routing necessitated a "curve" in the bed floor over the tank inlet, but that was a minor issue in the end.

The tension on the posts by the bedliner, as well as any loads pushing outward against them, help keep them stable, I'm planning to make a cross-brace in the front of the bed to link both boards for better support and to make a window protector. The only real downside to my set-up is that it's more difficult to get keeper straps onto the factory tie downs since the vertical support posts kinda get in the way:



But I do have alternate points that I use for tie-downs/rope where it's only a minor issue. In addition to the front cross-brace/mesh window protector, I am also planning on making barn doors to go above the tailgate...

I tried to reply it did not work so here is the 2nd try

side boards are great or a cage like mine you can get about 2 1/2 times the stuff