Grab handles for bed vault (to hoist yourself up / in) -- DIY instructions

[TyPope]

Super simple Bed handle! Like, stupid simple...

Step 1: Order the folding pegs.
Folding Pegs
Step 2: Read through this first and then maybe order the L Track things.
L-Track Things

This is what you get:

Bolt is too long to tighten up when installed in the L-Track.

I used three washers that were included with the motorcycle peg to test it out. That let me know how much of the bolt to cut off. So, you could stop here and use these three washers.

Or, you could cut off three washer's length from the bolt. It's 29/128 inch if you care to know. Like I'm going to cut that accurately. Nope. Painter's tape to mark it and then I just used a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel. Then cussed because I only have a Standard Tap and Die Set. Not a metric one. Doh!

Fortune favors the brave! The nut went right on with no drama. No filing or need of a metric Die set after all.

I used two flat washers and one split washer. This is the result. Now, before someone says I didn't cut enough off or I wouldn't need that 2nd flat washer, I had to use the extra washer because when I tightened the thing up, it was facing the wrong way. The extra washer just happens to be half a turn worth of adjustment.

Same one folded.

Well, the motorcycle pegs come as a set of two. So, now I have two handles.

And folded. Note I was too lazy to remove the bottle opener on the right side there. Oh, the right side only needed one flat washer and the split washer. Yes, I notice the divider is crooked. The next project was to suspend my spare in front of the gate. I just used 4 ratchet straps. The front and rear straps just hold the tire from swinging while the other two are "loose" on purpose to drop the tire down a little. I was going to make a fancy pivoting holder but decided the straps will probalby do just fine.

This is what is leftover from the kit. I have enough connectors for 9 more handles. It only takes about 20 seconds to cut the bolts down to size. I mean, if someone just ordered themselves a set of handles, I MIGHT be convinced to send the connector with cut-down bolt, lock and flat washers. To be honest, I had to use two washers on one side so the handle would tighten up facing the right way.

Best DIY project? Possibly. Will I use the handle very often? Idk. But, I can. And so could you.

UPDATE: Nobody cares but when I hung my spare from the L-track using those 6 connection points, I was in and out of my truck bed maybe 4 times. Never once used the handle. It just didn't occur to me. LOL

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[TyPope]

Super simple Bed handle! Like, stupid simple...

Step 1: Order the folding pegs.
Folding Pegs
Step 2: Read through this first and then maybe order the L Track things.
L-Track Things

This is what you get:

Bolt is too long to tighten up.

Three washers that were in the kit tightened it up just right. So, you could stop here.

Or, you could cut the bolt that same depth. It's 29/128 inch... But, like I'm going to cut that accurately. Nope. Painter's tape to mark it and then I just used a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel. Then cussed because I only have a Standard set and not metric Die set.

Fortune favors the brave! Nut went right on. No filing or need of a metric Die set after all.

This is the result.

Same one folded.

Well, the set had two so, I do, too.

And folded. Note I was too lazy to remove the bottle opener...

This is what is left from the kit. I have enough connectors for 8 more handles. It only takes about 20 seconds to cut the bolts down to size. I mean, if someone just ordered themselves a set of handles, I MIGHT be convinced to send the connector with cut-down bolt, lock and flat washers. To be honest, I had to use two washers on one side so the handle would tighten up facing the right way.

Best DIY project? Possibly. Will I use the handle very often? Idk. But, I can. And so could you.

Yes, I didn't number the steps but if you are ordering all the parts, there's literally no cutting or anything. You'll just have several washers on there. The bolt has a square shaft to let it tighten up.