Topper Lift - mixing boxrocket rtt trailer & topperezlift styles

Looks like some tips I got from those with more experience worked out well. Went away from just trying to tack it up. I wasn't letting the heat get into the metal was the issue. New examples, getting solid penetration, even blew out some on the edge of one bracket...

For these, did a longer tack on each side, then ran it. wish the phone took better close ups.





For this part, I think it looks like the heat definitely got through the thicker plate, might have had my stickout too far because it started to spatter.



One down, 3 to go.




Now I know what size gas shocks to order and need to order the pop pins.

Next I have to figure out how to connect this to the topper reinforcement cage.

 

nice man , can't wait to see it all come together

 

A little offset. Welded on nuts otherwise as the two peices clamp together the bottom tiny lip of the inside of the bedrail bends.



Got these measured, cut, and test fit. longer bolts holding the topper roof rack tracks go through. Will be two connecting peices, maybe a third in the middle. Then I have to decide how to come down and connect to the telescoping lift peices.

I really still want it modular so I can pull the topper or lift legs if needed or all of it out fairly simply if needed.

 

Getting there...

 

Bottom frame is mostly to hold dimensions. Has to get sectioned to go in the topper

 

Half done. Think im going to have two sides that bolt to a square top frame. No way to make it one piece and fit in where I want it to. Probably should have bought a bender and done some of this with some round tube?

 

Are you going to sleeve the ends where the two halves meet?

 

I think it will bolt together the length of the topper. The two top half peices will come off. The closest bottom half is already back off. It was just there to measure and position. The back (furthest in the pic) bottom is not necessary Ive discovered. The topper is strong on its own, so this is just a little help for when its lifted and for mounting to the lift posts. So really there will be to side parts and one top middle square the sides will bolt to. The sides bolt to the topper at the rails and the top where the topper rack track bolts come through.

 

Thankful...



Measuring three times is working out.



With the platform. 2x4s will go away in in place of steel cross members that it will rest on. Slide out drawer will like be made. Along with a box up front for house battery etc. ..

 

Still haven't ordered the gas springs and sdhq was closed today or i would have went and bought some pop pins and locking adjustable latches. When all the way down i want to be able to clamp (pull the topper tight onto the bedrails) not just pin it. For the up position the pop pins will hold fine along with the gas spring. Once thats done Ill have the little woman figure out some fabric solution to fill the gap while up. Im thinking something that goes from inside the shell to magnetic and strap to the bedsides, so if water came down it still couldnt get into the bed. Well, those are more thoughts.

 

Going camping tomorrow. Had to button up and put back together at a stopping point. Gf said she wanted the leds back in for the trip (Old sign shop free leftovers)

 

How bout that!

75 lb struts are too strong. Probably 50s woulda been better. Topper weighs 200. Bought the 75s thinking id eventually have a roof rack but I dont think I'll need one. Gotta either go smaller or figure out a way to pull it back down thats a lot easier.

 

Looks good.

 

Nice work.

 

I stumbled upon this thread. I don't have a Toyota but can probably offer insight as I built a couple of these lifts myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N-y07J8vZM

My first plan was similar to yours. I thought I would come into binding problems using just gas springs so decided to use actuators. My first prototype was finished back in 2008-9 was hydraulic and it was awesome. Strong as hell. Used it all the time to make room for my 4 wheeler, riding mower, appliances, piano, etc.

But hydraulic had it's drawbacks so for the 2nd version I found a linear actuators that worked a lot better but wasn't as strong. I also designed a self leveling circuit so it would always lift level that worked great as well.

I am now working on the 3rd version. I was able to get the manufacturer of the actuator to make my upgrades to their actuator to make it more rigid. I'm redesigning the connection point and brackets also so the self leveling circuit isn't needed anymore.

In the end, I can't see the entire system costing me more than $325. (Not withstanding the obvious massive investment.... labor of love... I spent on the development to this date of course.)

 

Forgot to mention the reason I posted. If you need anything, let me know how I can help.

 

Yours is just like topperezlift.com and they sell for over a thousand. Looks good. For the circuit do you use an arduino or something? I am going to try with the 2, 75# shocks and 2 actuators binding with the sleeved steel tubes is not really an issue. The actuator or ahas springs are just lift not support or stability. I dont plan on using it on a regular, just a few times a year so i can sit up while on the platform i sleep on. No cargo needs here. No roof rack so 200lbs strength is all I need. I think I saw your video before on you tube. I havent bought tje actuators so maybe that would help. What brand and where did you get em and how do you control them? Thx!

 

All electric now. Used a 4relay board with tiny tactile buttons vs a big switch. the buttons are low power so I can have some up front and some in the back. Front and rear are independent. My fiance is prepping side panel curtains and a rear tent. The platform is reinforced.

Next up is a big sliding drawer and maybe a flip out ladder.

Fun sht