Thoughts on my expedition rack

So I started drawing up my bed rack for my 06 double cab.. I haven't liked anything on the market and nothing has really "caught" my eye..SO to the computer I went.

As of right now it sits 10" off the bed rail and bolts directly to the bed rail slides.. Making them out of 1/8" steel and depending on cost, I may get it done out of aluminum. I have two different versions I have drawn up and was wanting input from others, what they liked or thought it needed. I may make a couple to sell if someone wanted one as well. It will be 100% bolt together. The holes will be dimpled died as well for looks and strength.

So, lets here the inputs, negativity or whatever else you want to throw my way lol.

 

Might want to add some brackets for a shovel/axe/high lift mount on the sides? Or Rotopax? Thats just what a lot of people do. Or even Maxtrax. Other than that nice! Oh and you'll need cross bars if you are getting a RTT

 

They will have cross bars and such. The plan is to have tabs with a plate that bolts to it with the mounts for a shovel, Rotopax, HI-Lift and such..

 

Oh okay, I figured since you said "expedition rack" but just making sure I would do it out of aluminum if you have funds for it, make it a lot lighter weight! Other than that I can't think of anything else.

 

Depending on what you'll be putting on the bedrack, you may way to use one long piece of angle iron of some sort for the feet instead of individual ones. Theres been a few people who have had their bedsides crack with the small feet like you have drawn.

 

Thanks for the input guys...The "feet" are 4.25" wide and that was one thing I was considering was making a bed rail, then welding them to it... As far as bolt together, each horizontal rail will be bolt on with either stainless steel 3/8" hardware or grade 8 bolts. All with washers and nylocs.

Ive thought about stepping up to 10g or so but with all the dimple died holes, and the formed edges it should be plenty strong....

 

Here's mine. I have room for pretty much anything. I currently have just a shovel and my 60" hi lift. It has removable cross bars on the tip for carrying my kayaks or really anything with no room in the bed for. I also have 21" led bars on all sides and on different switches.

 

There will be 2 3/8" bolts per end, on each side.

 

So, I redid some things this evening on the rack.. I changed the sides to 2 inches long instead an 1.5". Once reasoning was for more room for tube side supports. And two, well because I wanted to lol.

I will be drawing up the bed rail supports this weekend and I will post pictures of them when I'm done. The rack uprights will bolt to those from the bottom side of the bed rail caps with counter sunk bolts from the bottom up, sucking the uprights down. Then the bed rail top plates will have two 90 degree tabs bent off the insides that will mount to the factory bed rail slides.

 

Would anyone be interested in one of these?

 

So, the last couple nights Ive started a basket for the rack. I'm not finished with it yet as I still want to chance a couple things and also need to add stuff as well...I will be adding mounting holes for SWAG Offroads Action packer baja bins. The size of the basket is 36"x48" and all the holes will be dimple died as well to match the rack.

 

Well I have finished up the LP rack and basket. I shortened up the basket quite a bit, it now only stands 3.9" tall. I also added cross tube that are adjustable on the rack for snow board mounts or whatever it may be.

 

subd for finished product

 

I'll get the finished photos this next week

 

Ok, SO I got the first prototype back late this afternoon. I got them cleaned up and dimpled died. I will be busy over the Holiday weekend so I will not be able to finish up everything 100%, but here are a couple teaser pictures... Thoughts..

Tim

 

Looks good! Definitely different from any bed rack I've seen, I like it

 

Thank you. That's why I was shooting for something different, something that stood out and someone would know who's it was ha..

 

If you plan on putting a rtt on it you may want to change it from c-shaped to solid, put less stress on the sides.

 

There wont be any problem with weight issues.. One, if doing it solid it cost more, more labor and heavier. I will also design up complete bed side plates as an option to buy if one wanted too.

 

How easy would it be to remove the rack from the bed of the truck? Will ease of removal compromise strength in the mounts?

I'm looking for something like this that can hold a RTT but then be removed...ya know, for drive-to-work mode after expedition-mode.