DIY prinsu style shell rack

I always but t-nuts and screw into the crossbar, instead of trying to slide a head in.
I also found out carriage bolts are crap. I have used cut to length threaded rod screwed into t-nuts also when I needed long screws to replace a carriage bolt.

 

I did go w t-nuts after the fact. Much easier and faster.

 

I ended up just hammering them to down the track where I had it marked I can't believe how tight those bastards are! I tried grinding them down but took to long, so when in doubt use a hammer.

I could've used the T-slot sliding nuts, but had already bought all these screws so I just went for it.

 

Put the temporary rack back on for a trip to pick up a mattress

 

I might have to make something similar to this out of metal... Just picked up a canoe, and even on my mid height cap the bow is really close to the roof of the cab.... and extension that I could quickly and easly bolt on the my cap rack to support the bow and keep it off the roof might be a good thing...

 

Finally had time to mount it. Ran out of time to make a sexy mounting system so I just ripped down some 1X2 aluminum profile on the table saw. Over happy with the rack but the carriage bolts from Ace Hardware made mounting it painful and when I paint the mounts I will be swapping them for some T-nuts.

 

was planning on doing this but had a question regarding mounting L track to the roof. I have a leer dcc, and the inside cross members are 1"x1" alum. Was planning on drilling straight through and putting a bolt/fender/locknut. Is 1/4-20 stainless steel appropriate for this application or something bigger? L track has 1/4" pre drilled (https://www.uscargocontrol.com/Airline-Track-48-Aluminum-Finish-Logistic-Track), unclear if i should attempt to widen that hole to fit a bigger bolt . Any input is appreciated

 

Any 1/4-20 hardware you use will be much stronger than the aluminum cross member or fiberglass

 

Sweet looking rack and truck Great job.

 

Pure genius on the mounts, accounting for the slope of the shell. I may have to borrow this idea.

 

Can anyone smarter than me comment on if this type of mount would be susceptible to metal fatigue from any potential lateral movement?

 

I am trying to get some measurements from anybody so I can make my own cap rack to match up to my prinsu cab rack. Can anyone help an ole fart out ????

 

In my situation the track that mounts are attached to will be the weakest point. They are made of the same material but at half the thickness. If your worried about the aluminum you could always make them out of steel or stainless. Just would have to use an angle grinder to do the same thing.

 

Can someone share the post or thread of how the side plates are connected to the open ends of the extruded aluminum? Thanks.

 

The sides are typically drilled and tapped to accept 1/4-20 hardware. You can buyt them already done or you can drill and tap yourself.

 

Ah ok. Perusing the 80/20 site I wasn't seeing a side mount soultion.

 

Check the tnutz site as well. I found their pricing to be less even though the shipping is expensive.

 

Anyone want to make this rack for me?! I’ll pay you!!

 

I just finished putting this rack together last night. I used the PrinsuDesign feet (1.5") and the side plates from this page. The hardware to attach the mounting feet to the extruded aluminum were included with the feet however they only fit the 8020 bars not the TNUTZ bars. The internal dimensions on the TNUTS bars are different and do not accept the domed bots. I luckily had extra bars on the Prinsu and was able to use 3 of those and will have to supplement the Tnuts bars into the other portion of the rack and use a mixed set of hardware.

 

Talk to @BeachBoy