DIY Hillbilly Truck Bed Cargo Slider for the 2019/2020 Ford Ranger

[DIYAndy]

DIY Hillbilly Truck Bed Cargo Slider for the 2019/2020 Ford Ranger

This ridiculously, over priced truck bed accessory which, I believe, can be easily made/purchased for at least 1/10th the cost.

What is a truck bed slider? Simply put - it's a truck bed "cargo" slider.
It's really a piece of plastic, which holds cargo that slides in and out from the Ranger truck bed.
Normally, if I can't find something or can't buy it inexpensively, I would make do and/or design and build it from existing materials. In this DIY project, I didn't need to design/build anything this time - I just bought an inexpensive item(s) used for another application. Growing up as Ohio hillbilly and as an amateur ice fisherman, I found that by using a multi-purpose sled(s) will also easily double as a DIY hillbilly truck bed cargo slider(s).

DIY Truck Bed Cargo Slider Features:
1. Heavy rugged Polyethylene plastic - will not crack or break easily.
2. Portable and lightweight ~ 6 pounds each - both can be removed completely from the truck bed in seconds.
3. Low cost - about $80 for two Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Jrs (42"L x 21"W x 8"H)
4. Alternative uses - ice containers for beverages and this Ohio Hillbilly only liquid refreshment BEER and of course these portable multi-purpose sleds are also ideal for ice fishing, transporting deer, firewood, traps, decoys, feed, etc.
5. Comes in standard black but also in winter Camo white and tan.
6. Has (optional) high density polyethylene wear bars for enhanced easy sliding.
7. Has (optional) sled covers for those who do not have a truck bed cover (Tonneau) but you can also use an inexpensive poly tarp.

SHAPPELL LAKER CO
http://shappell.com/sleds.html
Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Jr (42"L x 21"W x 8"H) 6 Lbs.
I combined two Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Jr(s) to fit between the Ranger"s wheel humps side by side only costed me ~ $80. (Amazon) (Get "Decked" tool box slider ~ $1250 SKU MX4 for "almost" the same slider function with many extra un-needed frills) (My DIY hillbilly truck bed cargo sliders are 1250/80 ~ 1 / 15th the cost!) Other commercial sliders range between $1000 - $3000.

Warning ... Do not buy the following sleds because their widths are NOT 44" as stated but are 45" and 45" will NOT fit between the Ranger's wheel humps! (double check your Ranger's wheel hump dimensions)

Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Mini Mag (60" x 44" x 13") 29 Lbs.(For five foot truck bed) <-- do not buy - won't fit!
Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Magnum (71" x 44" x 16") 39 Lbs.(For six foot truck bed) <-- do not buy - won't fit!

BTW ... Carefully shopping around on the Internet will yield great savings way before and after ice fishing season.
Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement for Shappel - other vendor's sleds can be used but check their dimensions, for proper fit between the wheel humps.

DIYAndy
End of completed project 1/30/2020

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[Mike in UT]

Can we see a couple pictures of them in place?

 

[DIYAndy]

Can we see a couple pictures of them in place?

Sorry, but my wife took the camera to sunny Florida but if you can visualize two of the above pictured "jet sleds" side by side between the Ranger's truck bed wheel humps - that's all there is - nothing special.
BTW … I used a Walmart ratchet cargo bar (~$21 - other people charge double for this same bar) to hold the cargo sleds in place to prevent movement.

 

[Mike in UT]

Sorry, but my wife took the camera to sunny Florida but if you can visualize two of the above pictured "jet sleds" side by side between the Ranger's truck bed wheel humps - that's all there is - nothing special.
BTW … I used a Walmart ratchet cargo bar (~$21 - other people charge double for this same bar) to hold the cargo sleds in place to prevent movement.

cool. makes sense.

 

[Chili Rick]

DIY Hillbilly Truck Bed Cargo Slider for the 2019/2020 Ford Ranger

This ridiculously, over priced truck bed accessory which, I believe, can be easily made/purchased for at least 1/10th the cost.

What is a truck bed slider? Simply put - it's a truck bed "cargo" slider.
It's really a piece of plastic, which holds cargo that slides in and out from the Ranger truck bed.
Normally, if I can't find something or can't buy it inexpensively, I would make do and/or design and build it from existing materials. In this DIY project, I didn't need to design/build anything this time - I just bought an inexpensive item(s) used for another application. Growing up as Ohio hillbilly and as an amateur ice fisherman, I found that by using a multi-purpose sled(s) will also easily double as a DIY hillbilly truck bed cargo slider(s).

DIY Truck Bed Cargo Slider Features:
1. Heavy rugged Polyethylene plastic - will not crack or break easily.
2. Portable and lightweight ~ 6 pounds each - both can be removed completely from the truck bed in seconds.
3. Low cost - about $80 for two Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Jrs (42"L x 21"W x 8"H)
4. Alternative uses - ice containers for beverages and this Ohio Hillbilly only liquid refreshment BEER and of course these portable multi-purpose sleds are also ideal for ice fishing, transporting deer, firewood, traps, decoys, feed, etc.
5. Comes in standard black but also in winter Camo white and tan.
6. Has (optional) high density polyethylene wear bars for enhanced easy sliding.
7. Has (optional) sled covers for those who do not have a truck bed cover (Tonneau) but you can also use an inexpensive poly tarp.

SHAPPELL LAKER CO
http://shappell.com/sleds.html
Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Jr (42"L x 21"W x 8"H) 6 Lbs.
I combined two Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Jr(s) to fit between the Ranger"s wheel humps side by side only costed me ~ $80. (Amazon) (Get "Decked" tool box slider ~ $1250 SKU MX4 for "almost" the same slider function with many extra un-needed frills) (My DIY hillbilly truck bed cargo sliders are 1250/80 ~ 1 / 15th the cost!) Other commercial sliders range between $1000 - $3000.

Warning ... Do not buy the following sleds because their widths are NOT 44" as stated but are 45" and 45" will NOT fit between the Ranger's wheel humps! (double check your Ranger's wheel hump dimensions)

Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Mini Mag (60" x 44" x 13") 29 Lbs.(For five foot truck bed) <-- do not buy - won't fit!
Shappel Eagle Claw Jet Sled Magnum (71" x 44" x 16") 39 Lbs.(For six foot truck bed) <-- do not buy - won't fit!

BTW ... Carefully shopping around on the Internet will yield great savings way before and after ice fishing season.
Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement for Shappel - other vendor's sleds can be used but check their dimensions, for proper fit between the wheel humps.

DIYAndy
End of completed project 1/30/2020

This was exactly what I have been needing. I thought about a drawer system, but holy crap they are expensive. The sidewalls on the ranger are so bloody high that I was having a hard time reaching stuff in the bed. I like to carry a first aid kid, tow rope, jumper cables etc, but just having them rattle around was irritating. In my old truck I had a couple tubs, but I also had a divider in the bed to keep them from sliding. When I saw your idea, I jumped on Amazon and found this and ordered a pair:

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B002RWBPRQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They leave a small gap between them, but that actually works well for the things I haul Toying with putting a plywood top on them to give me a shelf for my camp chairs to sit on. With these I am able to use all but the pockets in front of the wheelwells. I could, it would just be harder to reach unless it's a tall item. I really appreciate you sharing this idea, it's a functional low buck alternative that works extremely well with a tonneau cover (retractable in my case). I will try to get a few pics tonight.

 

[DIYAndy]

This was exactly what I have been needing.

Good find and you got both of them for about $20 less than what I paid. Theses sleds also double as concrete mixer tub and maybe as a small swimming pool for the kids.

 

[Chili Rick]

Wow, a kids swimming pool....how novel.

I went to home depot yesterday and picked up 2 sheets of plywood 2'x4'x5/16. Am going to hinge the sheets to the vertical part of the tub and that will provide a shelf for my camp chairs which is what I use the most out of my truck. Got them sanded and stained yesterday, will work on installing tonight. Pic will follow.

Here are the pics. For not having a shop to work in, I am quite happy. Already loaded with bunch of crap

 

[DIYAndy]

So you put two covers on your cargo jet sleds to hide, from prying eyes, your stash of ice cold beer - just kidding. Nice DIY cargo covers.

 

[Chili Rick]

So you put two covers on your cargo jet sleds to hide, from prying eyes, your stash of ice cold beer - just kidding. Nice DIY cargo covers.

If only I was a beer drinker, they would make good ice troughs.

Appreciate the kind words. I have decided I am going to put a couple air struts on to hold them open, they are a bit awkward as they are now. I used fairly thick plywood, and it either needs a prop rod or better yet the struts.

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