redwolf624 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 veterans day is next month and i've been invited to run my MJ in the parade and i wanted to install a flag pole in the bed of my truck right behide the wheel well, i have a piece of maybe 1/8" thick steel that's been looks like bent into an L, i was wonderin if i just bolt that to the flag will that be ripped out once i hit 60MPH, i plan on keepin the flag up all the time but the parade thing is really pushin for me to do it now, has anyone put a flag pole in their MJ beds, if so how? i'd like to see several ideas and way if yall shoot my idea down, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I would not drive 60 mph with the flag, it will cause damage to the flag more so depending on how well the flag is made and how long you are going that speed. It won't take long to put it up and take it down. We had a nice flag on out pole at work and a wind storm came in and ripped it to shreds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 I would not drive 60 mph with the flag, it will cause damage to the flag more so depending on how well the flag is made and how long you are going that speed. It won't take long to put it up and take it down. We had a nice flag on out pole at work and a wind storm came in and ripped it to shreds i know that blue, 60 mph is the top speed i've gone in my MJ and even then, i hardly hit 60, i mainly stay around 50, i've gotten the spare american flag from my dad that he bought when he bought or current one, it's lasted 10 years, that's with atleast 3 hurricanes, but either way, my whole issue is mountin the flag pole, i know that the fast i go the more drag i'll have which will mean the better chance of it rippin outta my bed, i just wanna know if my piece of metal will work if it's bolted to the bed with 2 bolts and the pole is welded to the metal, it's like i said, maybe 1/8" metal, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 1/8 inch might work, just depends on how well the pole is attached to the base and how the base is bolted to the bed.. someone with more fabrication experience will need to answer the strength of the base/pole setup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 1/8 inch might work, just depends on how well the pole is attached to the base and how the base is bolted to the bed.. someone with more fabrication experience will need to answer the strength of the base/pole setup alright, well tomorrow i'm gonna take a picture of the piece of metal i have have, and just as an example i'm gonna use the holiday/seasonal flag as an example for how i'm gonna mount the flag pole, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 If you've just got a pole mounted by the base, it'll pull backwards along the mount, but will also whip side to side. As far as flag poles go, I've used one of our extra 8' lengths of 1"OD .095 wall hardened 4130 chrome-moly tubes to fly a flag that if memory serves was ~18"x36" in about a 30-40mph wind, and it was bending the tube likely 30 degrees from vertical. The tube itself was zip-tied to the latch on our trailer at about 1" and 18" from the bottom. I'd be pretty concerned about the bolts tearing out of the bed. I'd recommend welding some plate to the bottom of the pole (so it stands itself up) and then running lines/wires from the top of the pole (or at least under the flag) to the tie-downs, and not leaving it up permanently. If you do leave it up permanently, past experience with a few different flags is that it'll only take a couple hours at highway speeds to destroy it, and with a flag that big, your mpg will go to sh*t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 If you've just got a pole mounted by the base, it'll pull backwards along the mount, but will also whip side to side. As far as flag poles go, I've used one of our extra 8' lengths of 1"OD .095 wall hardened 4130 chrome-moly tubes to fly a flag that if memory serves was ~18"x36" in about a 30-40mph wind, and it was bending the tube likely 30 degrees from vertical. The tube itself was zip-tied to the latch on our trailer at about 1" and 18" from the bottom. I'd be pretty concerned about the bolts tearing out of the bed. I'd recommend welding some plate to the bottom of the pole (so it stands itself up) and then running lines/wires from the top of the pole (or at least under the flag) to the tie-downs, and not leaving it up permanently. If you do leave it up permanently, past experience with a few different flags is that it'll only take a couple hours at highway speeds to destroy it, and with a flag that big, your mpg will go to sh*t. like i said in my last post, i'll take a picture of how i've planed on doin this so yall better understand, i don't plan on havin a flag pole longer than 5', but i will be flyin a 3x5' flag, i might make this an all time thing, i might not, i don't know yet but the point is i wanna flag pole rig system that won't rip outta my bed, and if my mpg does down hill, it'll be ok since i get great millage anyhow, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 i promised pictures so here they are, this is the piece of metal i have that i wanna weld a pole to i wanna weld the pole on both sides the whole length here and somehow weld the bottom all the way around here it's just a quick idea i had, if someone has a better idea and a picture to go along with it that'd be great :) Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Where where you planning to attach it on the truck? If you use the 2 holes there you will need a very reinforced base. maybe weld that L piece to a larger metal square, have another metal square the same size on the underside and bolt it to the bed... More or less: Flag mound base top / truck bed / bottom mount. All connected with heavy duty bolts. Also I fear the poll will still bend at speed. It will need to be reinforced and or braced as well. Maybe weld a length of 90* angled metal down the front of the pole to add ridgedness.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Of you don't have a light / roll bar, now would be a good time to have a good one made with flag mounting in mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Where where you planning to attach it on the truck? If you use the 2 holes there you will need a very reinforced base. maybe weld that L piece to a larger metal square, have another metal square the same size on the underside and bolt it to the bed... More or less: Flag mound base top / truck bed / bottom mount. All connected with heavy duty bolts. Also I fear the poll will still bend at speed. It will need to be reinforced and or braced as well. Maybe weld a length of 90* angled metal down the front of the pole to add ridgedness.. i kinda figured that the L piece would have to be welded to a square piece, kinda hopin not i guess, i'll take a picture of where i plan on mountin it, also, what if i weld the pole to the L piece and just bolt that to the square piece through the bed to the other square piece instead of weldin it just incase i take it off Of you don't have a light / roll bar, now would be a good time to have a good one made with flag mounting in mind that's a good idea, i want a light/roll bar for my bed anyhow, the problem is gettin my hands on the pipe to do so, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Put a rubber stopper on the bottom of the pole and put that between 2 of the ridges in your bed floor. Above that put a U-bolt or strap with screws or rivets into the bed rail. Enjoy ripping flags to shreds from the wind daily until you run out of money for replacements, or bend/tear off the pole from wind resistance or running into low hanging tree limbs, etc. . Then in a couple years when you have rust starting at the holes where you drilled for your mount ask yourself, "did I really need a damn flagpole?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Put a rubber stopper on the bottom of the pole and put that between 2 of the ridges in your bed floor. Above that put a U-bolt or strap with screws or rivets into the bed rail. Enjoy ripping flags to shreds from the wind daily until you run out of money for replacements, or bend/tear off the pole from wind resistance or running into low hanging tree limbs, etc. . Then in a couple years when you have rust starting at the holes where you drilled for your mount ask yourself, "did I really need a damn flagpole?" i already have rust in the bed rails from the previous owner, and i don't see how any of the destruction will happen when i see people drive down the road with flags all the time, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 the L piece and how it'd be mounted and oyaji, ya can see the 3 rust holes in the bed rail from the last owner, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 just a thought, monster truck bodies are made of fibber glass, fibber glass gives A LOT, what if i got a fibber glass flag pole and had it mounted somehow, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Fiberglass is nasty when it breaks... but it might work. You and Oyaji may be onto something. That L piece of steel and then a u-bolt or something into the bed rail (I mean, the holes are already there...) would probably be decent support. That way, you've got the bed rail providing side-to-side as well as rearward support. I'd still avoid highway speeds with a flag in it, as you will tear it to shreds, and I doubt that pole would support a flag of that size at much above 30mph, but for a parade you should be more than fine. Just make sure that pole's actually steel before welding it to anything... Also, for a removable pole, you could use that L piece and a couple u-bolts or similar at the bottom and it'll be strong enough, and you'll only have the bracket in there if you take the pole out. Honestly, you could probably bolt down the bracket and then zip-tie the pole to it (and the bed rail with those holes) and be okay for a parade. Although I'd avoid drilling holes in the bed if at all possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Fiberglass is nasty when it breaks... but it might work. You and Oyaji may be onto something. That L piece of steel and then a u-bolt or something into the bed rail (I mean, the holes are already there...) would probably be decent support. That way, you've got the bed rail providing side-to-side as well as rearward support. I'd still avoid highway speeds with a flag in it, as you will tear it to shreds, and I doubt that pole would support a flag of that size at much above 30mph, but for a parade you should be more than fine. Just make sure that pole's actually steel before welding it to anything... Also, for a removable pole, you could use that L piece and a couple u-bolts or similar at the bottom and it'll be strong enough, and you'll only have the bracket in there if you take the pole out. Honestly, you could probably bolt down the bracket and then zip-tie the pole to it (and the bed rail with those holes) and be okay for a parade. Although I'd avoid drilling holes in the bed if at all possible. i agree with avoidin new holes in the bed, although, i think IF i weld a steel pole to the L piece and cargo strap (or even bunge cord) it to the tie down loops in the bed on both sides of the pole kinda like guide lines for power lines i should be good at high speeds right? Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 You don't need a bracket attached to the bed floor if you attach the flagpole to the bedrail behind the cab - like I said before just put a rubber cap/plug on the bottom of the pole. Wind drag will force the pole backwards at the top, but forwards at the base below the U-bolt or strap "retainer" in the bed rail, the bottom of the pole shold stay between the ridges on the bed floor, and the rubber stopper on the base won't scratch the paint. Tighten the U-bolt/strap and the pole will not move upwards to tip sideways later, or put a pin through the pole beneath a loose retainer so as to prevent upward travel and you can easily remove the pole whenever you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 You don't need a bracket attached to the bed floor if you attach the flagpole to the bedrail behind the cab - like I said before just put a rubber cap/plug on the bottom of the pole. Wind drag will force the pole backwards at the top, but forwards at the base below the U-bolt or strap "retainer" in the bed rail, the bottom of the pole shold stay between the ridges on the bed floor, and the rubber stopper on the base won't scratch the paint. Tighten the U-bolt/strap and the pole will not move upwards to tip sideways later, or put a pin through the pole beneath a loose retainer so as to prevent upward travel and you can easily remove the pole whenever you like. oyaji, i do aperciate the help but i'm not mountin the flag behind my cab, i'm mountin behind the passenger side wheel well, i'll figure somethin out, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old man with MJ Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 A tripod mount for a tv antenna and section of antenna pole might be what you need! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyrambler Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Use your spare for the base - won't slide around or tip over - should be easy enuff to mod the pole holder using all thread/long bolts - easy to disassemble/store & be ready for next year - - - I'd fab the mount with a short, 3 ft or so, section of pipe for the FP to slide into - that way the flag & FP could be hauled to wherever flat & then a simple drop in for display Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 A tripod mount for a tv antenna and section of antenna pole might be what you need! wish i had thought of that before i took my only dish tripod to the scrap yard, it's hard to find a cheap on now, i'm not tryin to spend a whole lot on this project Use your spare for the base - won't slide around or tip over - should be easy enuff to mod the pole holder using all thread/long bolts - easy to disassemble/store & be ready for next year - - - I'd fab the mount with a short, 3 ft or so, section of pipe for the FP to slide into - that way the flag & FP could be hauled to wherever flat & then a simple drop in for display that's the problem, i currently have a spare rim but no tire on it so i keep the rim in my room, plus i plan on when i do have a tire mounted on it bunge cordin it to the back of my bed by the cab, i want the flag at the front of the bed, will however be a great quick put-together for the parade if i can't find a permanet rig, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwolf624 Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 i've seen that when i google this stuff but i can't tell if that's just sat in the bed or bolted on, Redwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I believe it's just sitting in the bed. Any lift as the vehicle is moving would be stopped by the toolbox. I imagine weighting down a structure like that could be easily done with sandbags. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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