Hi ! I have a 1996 small 2wd pickup truck which I would like to use for a flea market this spring, I would like to learn how to build some sides for it out of wood or metal to allow me to put more stuff inside it (stack and make the walls higher) . Preferable something I could later remove. First of all what are those "sides" called? You often see them on landscaping trucks. Anyone know a good "DIY" (do-it-yourself) plans for such a build? Thanks !
1×2’s are not going to be very strong. You should build them out of 2×4’s. First cut 4 2×4’s (2 for each side) to the height that you want them, plus the depth of the stake pocket on the truck bed. Then you cut one end of each 2×4 so that it will fit into the stake pocked. Next get 3 2×6’s that are as long as the truck bed and bolt them to you 2×4 uprights you made earlier. Then get 3 more 2×6’s that are the width of the truck bed and bolt them to the front. Last, I would put a final 2×6 that is the width of the truck bed on the top at the back to keep the sides together. If you want them solid, you could line them with plywood, and build doors for the back. Just build a square frame, and nail plywood to it. Then get 2 eye hooks, and L bolts for each side (so that you can lift the doors on and off), and a gate latch to keep the doors shut. Give everything a couple coats of exterior grade paint, and you’re done. If you want, I could provide drawings, if I knew how to get them to you.
I edited this, because I was thinking last night, that 2×6 horizontal pieces would work better, because you could get two bolts in, and keep it square. I think that if you tried to put two bolts in the 2×4, it would split because it’s not wide enough. 2×4’s for the uprights are still OK, because you would be drilling along the length and not the width.
GET PLYWOOD AS TALL AS U WANT TO SIDES TO BE AND USE 1 BY 2S LAY THE PLYWOOD DOWN AND PUT 1 BY 2S ABOUT WHERE THE HOLES ARE IN THE SIDES OF THE TRUCK BED AND SCREW THEM ONTO THE PLYWOOD , AND IT WILL BE PRETTY EASY TO LIFT IN AND OUT WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN USE MAKES GREAT SIDES TO CARRY THINGS IN BACK OF A TRUCK SO THEY DONT FALL OUT
References :
1×2’s are not going to be very strong. You should build them out of 2×4’s. First cut 4 2×4’s (2 for each side) to the height that you want them, plus the depth of the stake pocket on the truck bed. Then you cut one end of each 2×4 so that it will fit into the stake pocked. Next get 3 2×6’s that are as long as the truck bed and bolt them to you 2×4 uprights you made earlier. Then get 3 more 2×6’s that are the width of the truck bed and bolt them to the front. Last, I would put a final 2×6 that is the width of the truck bed on the top at the back to keep the sides together. If you want them solid, you could line them with plywood, and build doors for the back. Just build a square frame, and nail plywood to it. Then get 2 eye hooks, and L bolts for each side (so that you can lift the doors on and off), and a gate latch to keep the doors shut. Give everything a couple coats of exterior grade paint, and you’re done. If you want, I could provide drawings, if I knew how to get them to you.
I edited this, because I was thinking last night, that 2×6 horizontal pieces would work better, because you could get two bolts in, and keep it square. I think that if you tried to put two bolts in the 2×4, it would split because it’s not wide enough. 2×4’s for the uprights are still OK, because you would be drilling along the length and not the width.
References :
I worked as a landscaper, and a carpenter. Plus my dad used to make them for his truck.