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Good morning,
I try to find a solution to a problem that concerns me since ever I have bought my second hand ute.
A second hand lockable tray was installed that can’t get locked. So the back of my ute is open and accessible always.
That’s not what I paid for… and I am carrying expensive equipment with me most times.
Instead of investing in another tray I had a specialised automotive locksmith look at it and he came up with a solution that seems undoable now. He initially said that I should drill a hole into the Utes back and attach an eye bolt; which I did. I then went and bought a carabiner with attached Velcro to attach to either side of both bolts. Great idea initially,
and now comes the ‘but’
how am I supposed to screw the washer and nut to the eye bold through and under the plastic if I can’t reach in between the plastic and the metal? There’s no hole on the other end as it’s the tailboard of the vehicle; which is closed.
I can’t weld and don’t know anyone who does.
Is there any glue that’s strong enough for me to glue it on so that I can screw in the eye bold from the top?
Hi @Noyade
You sure can ☝🏼
No worries. I’m on job site and just happen to have a quick break to see if somebody came up with a solution for my problem.
once again I didnt bring my impact driver to undo the screws to take pictures from underneath.
sorry mate 😞
maybe later once I finish this job and the lights still good enough!
@Noyade The eyebolt is supposed to go into the tailgate and screwed on from underneath.
once I shut the tailgate I then can attach a carabiner to both bolts and secure them with each other.
Top cover can be shut by hand afterwards.
Hoping that the waffle skin inside has those points you can use, if they do and you can find an eyebolt that fits an existing screwpoint even better. The hard cover I understand as I am only short as well. and I use it with my knee to get into a ute tray I am not talking about permantly removing the rubberised/plastic coating, but just temporarily and then cut a hole for the attachment point if found.
Dave
@Dave-1 @I already did that. Drilled two holes on each side of the tailgate; matching the height of the already existing hook inside the utes back.
the technician suggested that I Lock it up from upside whilst the cover is open.
I attach more pictures.
makes sense now?
"The eyebolt is supposed to go into the tailgate and screwed on from underneath"
So that's why I think a nut rivet would work.
The rivet size just depends on the thread of the eyebolt.
Or I am still not on the right page with the problem?
Cheers @Sybilla
Afternoon @Sybilla
Almost makes sense tho I think I am missing something. do those holes go through the plastic and through the metal? The reason I was suggesting to remove the plastic was to have a clear view of what is underneath and see if theer is an attachment point. I dont think the plastic alone would be strong enough to secure anything properly on its own.
Do you have a photo of the plastic covering the tray door part removed by any chance?
Dave
@Noyade @Please be patient with me. I don’t understand half the words you guys are using.
What’s a rivet? What is it good for? How do you use it? Can I do it myself without having to get a PhD first or learn from YouTube tutorials. I’m seriously useless with those. I’m a hands on learner if that makes sense.
Afternoon @Noyade and @Sybilla
I really like Noyade's idea if there isnt a connecting point in the metal underside of the tray door.
Will let Noyade describe a rivet As I have not really seen one big enough for an eye bolt but like the description.
It will be easy enough to do I would say if you have access to the inner skin of that tray.
Will check in later as have to go out in a bit.
Dave
@Dave-1 Grrr I didn’t even bring a screwdriver to undo the plastic.
yes, the hole goes through the plastic & the metal! I was very careful to not go too fast and deep to not touch the outer skin of the tailgate
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