MarcusOReallyus
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That does look like a good fit. 
Side to side is snug?
What size is that, again?
Side to side is snug?
What size is that, again?
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M101A3 DTY Steel Stakes uprights.
- Thread starter John Galt
- Start date
John Galt
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~2"x1.5"
The fit front to back is good. A little bit of movement but just enough to allow easy removal. I tried this stake in all the pockets and it was obvious that not all of the pockets are the same. Side to side, the fit is tunable. I will probably cut each stake a little thicker then fine tune with a tiger disk specific for each pocket.
May also add something to distribute some of the weight on the top of the rail instead of just the bottom of the bed. Still undecided about the specific configuration of the rack. I have been looking at threads on expedition portal to get ideas so any suggestions are welcome.
The material was just 2x2 square tubing.
The fit front to back is good. A little bit of movement but just enough to allow easy removal. I tried this stake in all the pockets and it was obvious that not all of the pockets are the same. Side to side, the fit is tunable. I will probably cut each stake a little thicker then fine tune with a tiger disk specific for each pocket.
May also add something to distribute some of the weight on the top of the rail instead of just the bottom of the bed. Still undecided about the specific configuration of the rack. I have been looking at threads on expedition portal to get ideas so any suggestions are welcome.
The material was just 2x2 square tubing.
John Galt
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Well, finally got around to making the 4 stakes I wanted. Material used was .120 wall 2"x2" tubing. Hopefully I will finish the "bow" parts this week. Took one razor disk per stake and a lot longer than I expected it would to cut and fit each stake. I am glad I went with the .120 wall over the 3/16. The .120 should be plenty strong and provide a good base for any future modifications. I chose the height based on the height of the garage door opening.
Made a trip to the steel yard to get material for this project and a few others.
Initial cuts
Rough sized
Fine tuned with flap disk
Getting closer to being complete
Made a trip to the steel yard to get material for this project and a few others.
Initial cuts
Rough sized
Fine tuned with flap disk
Getting closer to being complete
MarcusOReallyus
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If you got those cuts made with just one disk I'd say you did well!
PcCruiser
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Well I totally forgot about this thread by the time I got through getting the trailer and my garage all cleaned up etc. I am planning on selling the bows, stakes and side rails off mine still (did have a bit where I thought I would keep them). If you still want them let me know. I need to research to know what they're worth first. 
John Galt
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Thanks for the offer. Ended up making my own. I like to think they are improved over the OEM stakes
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I need the brackets for storing the bows at the front of the racks.Well I totally forgot about this thread by the time I got through getting the trailer and my garage all cleaned up etc. I am planning on selling the bows, stakes and side rails off mine still (did have a bit where I thought I would keep them). If you still want them let me know. I need to research to know what they're worth first.
AnthonyVargas
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Do your 4 stakes just sit in the pocket? Or do suggest making a bracket and a bolt through it to keep it from coming out?
gimpyrobb
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The way he made them, they will not "just come out".
AnthonyVargas
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I went to the local machine shop and they had the perfect size pipe to fit inside the stake pockets for the M101A3 . The stake pockets are 2"x1.5" and are 12 inches deep. (at least mine had a stopper in there right at 12")
At first it was a little tight fit, but after playing with the pipe (wiggling it back and forth) and scraping away all the old paint inside the pocket, it works great. The gas struts pictured are for the rack to go up and down a additional 10"
Attached are some pictures of my application.
At first it was a little tight fit, but after playing with the pipe (wiggling it back and forth) and scraping away all the old paint inside the pocket, it works great. The gas struts pictured are for the rack to go up and down a additional 10"
Attached are some pictures of my application.
John Galt
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Nice find on the rectangular tube. I could not find any that size. The stopper is the spring clip. Some are welded to the inside some to the outside...... I made mine into channel so it would slip down and rest on the floor of the trailer. Seemed stronger and had less wobble.
How do you raise and lower the rack? From what I have seen, it is a challenge to raise and lower a rack like that without binding. Most use linear actuators so all 4 posts can be moved at the same time.
No issues with the stakes bouncing out. Once some dirt etc gets in there, there is is very little wobble. Made a rack for a buddies 101 and did weld a piece of angle iron to the upright so the stake could be bolted to the top rail of tub. Probably not needed but firms things up some.
Cut the stakes with a jig saw now. Just need to shorten the blade so it doesn't hit the other side.
How do you raise and lower the rack? From what I have seen, it is a challenge to raise and lower a rack like that without binding. Most use linear actuators so all 4 posts can be moved at the same time.
No issues with the stakes bouncing out. Once some dirt etc gets in there, there is is very little wobble. Made a rack for a buddies 101 and did weld a piece of angle iron to the upright so the stake could be bolted to the top rail of tub. Probably not needed but firms things up some.
Cut the stakes with a jig saw now. Just need to shorten the blade so it doesn't hit the other side.
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AnthonyVargas
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Getting the rack up isn't a problem at all, as long as you don't let one side of the rack get to far up before the other side. Getting the rack down does take some effort, but I just have another person jump on top and that is enough weight to push it down against the gas struts. Each strut is 100 pounds on each corner, so it pushes up the rack (110 pounds) and roof top tent (170 pounds) easily.
If I am by myself I can still get the rack down, I just use a ratchet strap. But having 2 people makes everything easier with this type of setup.
I thought about using linear actuators but the cost of them was not worth it. It takes less than 1 minute to rise and drop the platform with the gas struts I am using.
If I am by myself I can still get the rack down, I just use a ratchet strap. But having 2 people makes everything easier with this type of setup.
I thought about using linear actuators but the cost of them was not worth it. It takes less than 1 minute to rise and drop the platform with the gas struts I am using.