Difference between revisions of "2012 Nissan Frontier: Strut Channel Install"

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(Created page with "This article details the design & installation of a 5' section of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strut_channel Strut Channel] into the bed of my 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV …")
 
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This article details the design & installation of a 5' section of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strut_channel Strut Channel] into the bed of my 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV 4x4.  This is a functional (although different) stand-in for the [http://www.nissanusa.com/innovations/utili-track.article.html Utili-Track(R)] that comes as an option on some Nissan Frontiers.  Frontiers that did not come standard with the Utili-Track(R) cannot have it easily installed because the bed-frame is different.  Inspiration for this project came from [http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f23/diy-writeup-utilitrack-unistrut-34948/ Tyson Cook's DIY Writeup - Utilitrack with Unistrut] over at the [http://www.clubfrontier.org/ Club Frontier Forums].  I chose to install this Strut Channel because it gives a good base (that does not permanently modify the vehicle) to mount a Ham Radio Antenna (which I'll add to the bottom of this article as soon as it is done).
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This article details the design & installation of a 5' section of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strut_channel Strut Channel] into the bed of my 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV 4x4.  This is a functional (although different) stand-in for the [http://www.nissanusa.com/innovations/utili-track.article.html Utili-Track™] that comes as an option on some Nissan Frontiers.  Frontiers that did not come standard with the Utili-Track™ cannot have it easily installed because the bed-frame is different.  Inspiration for this project came from [http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f23/diy-writeup-utilitrack-unistrut-34948/ Tyson Cook's DIY Writeup - Utilitrack with Unistrut] over at the [http://www.clubfrontier.org/ Club Frontier Forums].  I chose to install this Strut Channel because it gives a good base (that does not permanently modify the vehicle) to mount a Ham Radio Antenna (which I'll add to the bottom of this article as soon as it is done). After a parts order from [http://www.mcmaster.com/ McMaster-Carr] and 5 trips to various Home Depots & Lowe's I finally had what I needed.  I'll try to streamline the process for anyone wanting to follow my example.
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==Assumptions==
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#You want a really clean looking install and are willing to put in a bit of extra work
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#You have a drop-in bed-liner
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#You don't want to make any permenant modifications to the vehicle
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==Grocery List==
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#[http://www.mcmaster.com/#strut-channel-systems/ 1 section of Strut Channel]
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#*'1 5/8" depth (& width)
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#*5' length (fits perfectly)
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#*Solid (slotted will cause the section to be off-center but requires no drilling)
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#*Aluminium (we don't want it to rust)
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#5

Revision as of 08:06, 4 November 2012

This article details the design & installation of a 5' section of Strut Channel into the bed of my 2012 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV 4x4. This is a functional (although different) stand-in for the Utili-Track™ that comes as an option on some Nissan Frontiers. Frontiers that did not come standard with the Utili-Track™ cannot have it easily installed because the bed-frame is different. Inspiration for this project came from Tyson Cook's DIY Writeup - Utilitrack with Unistrut over at the Club Frontier Forums. I chose to install this Strut Channel because it gives a good base (that does not permanently modify the vehicle) to mount a Ham Radio Antenna (which I'll add to the bottom of this article as soon as it is done). After a parts order from McMaster-Carr and 5 trips to various Home Depots & Lowe's I finally had what I needed. I'll try to streamline the process for anyone wanting to follow my example.

Assumptions

  1. You want a really clean looking install and are willing to put in a bit of extra work
  2. You have a drop-in bed-liner
  3. You don't want to make any permenant modifications to the vehicle

Grocery List

  1. 1 section of Strut Channel
    • '1 5/8" depth (& width)
    • 5' length (fits perfectly)
    • Solid (slotted will cause the section to be off-center but requires no drilling)
    • Aluminium (we don't want it to rust)
  2. 5