Properly installing wooden rails in your pickup bed allows you to extend the height of the bed and haul loose objects such as wood or concrete blocks that otherwise would fall over the side. Improperly installing wooden rails will not support the additional weight and you could damage your truck or other cars during transport. Learn safe, secure ways to install wooden rails on your pickup bed.
Measure the width of the rail holes along the length of your pickup bed.
Select a hardwood, such as oak. Do not select a soft wood, such as pine. Hardwoods offer more load-bearing strength than soft woods.
Cut the rails to size using the table saw.
Hammer the rails into the rail holes using the rubber mallet. Ensure they fit tight enough within the rails so that the wood doesn't move.
Drill a 1/2-inch hole in each rail halfway up the length of the protruding rail.
Ask a friend to help you level a two-by-four along the rails. Make sure to hold it in place once you level it.
Drill bolt holes into the two-by-four using the drill and the 1/2-inch drill bit. Make sure they align with the pre-drilled rail holes.
Connect the two-by-four rails to the rail posts using 1/2-inch bolts. Make sure to use two washers per bolt.
Tighten the nut with your fingers, then tighten it completely with a 1/2-inch ratchet.
