PrInSu Design Studio Roof Racks BS Thread

Look up Jesse Rizzo on YouTube, his buddy in a red tacoma has it mounted the way you’re talking about. He has a standard deflector without the cutout and mounted his above his rack with the mounts the light bar came with

 

I did some internet stalking and I think he actually has an ExtremeLEDS system mounted on top as well as in his front bumper.

https://extremeledlightbars.com/extreme-series-amber-and-white-light-bars#/pageSize=4&orderBy=0

I think it's a bit too wide for the prinsu slot.

 

Found his IG - looks like he's got his mounted like the picture I shared.

I was able to find this guy on IG who has it mounted the way I want it. I've reach out to him to see how he's got it mounted. Hopefully he responds.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpZcz_nhRWR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Dope, nice work. Keep me posted, that's the bar I am looking at as well.

 

Anyone have any experience with mounting a 99" (or 2500mm) awning across the cab and shell racks? I've been thinking about how to account for the relative movement between the two racks...is that necessary or am I overthinking it? Searched a lot and can't seem to find anyone with that set up.

 

I would only attach a longer awning to either the shell or cab only; NOT both.

 

I have the batwing awning and I use the standard prinsu mounts. I only have it mounted to the toprac. It hangs in front rack but it is not attached. I will see if I have any pictures of it. I don't leave it mounted all the time so I can't take a pic right now.

 

I mounted it across both... haven't seen any issues.

If my bed and cab are moving so independently of each other that this causes an issue I likely have much bigger problems on my hands.

I have had this awning mounted like this while having done multiple cross country trips off roading and rocking crawling through the Rockies, Moab, desert...etc and have had zero issues. I would think those scenarios would have tested it enough.

 

My set up...

 

You do know the bed and cab flex independently ever so slightly... Right? If you haven't had any issues yet I'm happy to hear it but just for an extreme example...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1LO6uxy11I

 

they flex, i had a buddy who did this and he eventually ran into problems where the mounts would bend and the mounting holes wallowed out

 

Ever so slightly.... well aware. So much so that I would have a problem with this set up... I doubt it. The mounts/materials/length of awning are not so rigid that it doesn't allow for slight flexing so I have not seen it be an issue through some pretty strenuous terrain. I have also simultaneously had a long Yakima cargo box mounted across the bed and cab on the same trips without issue.

 

I can see the shell move maybe an inch left and right over bumps through my rear window (its not mounted to the bed rails, just using 4 clamps with the bed rails right now). Think its better to mount to both racks and use plenty of mounting points to secure it or only mount to one rack and leave nearly half of it cantilevered?

Also thought about making a long plate to mount the awning to, so the plate adds rigidity rather than the back of the awning. Or making some sort of mount for the shell portion that would support the weight of the awning vertically, but allow for side to side movement with a bushing or something.

 

Does anyone know if the Prinsu awning brackets will work with their load panels? Thanks

@CBI Offroad Fab

 

Just got Prinsu installed, picked it up for 200$ used. Its very good condition but is faded from over the years. I have a question about the slots in the cross bars, since mine is most likely a 1st gen prinsu, is there a way I can put the cut outs in the cross bars like the new generation that is fairly easy to do? Reason I ask is so I dont have to undo the bar to add in a insert every time I want to add something or remove something.

 

It’s an early 2nd gen model. 1st gen racks are smaller and wouldn’t fit. If you have a router you could probably put a metal cutting bit on there and try to make the hole

 

No need to modify the bars. Get the drop in T-Nuts described in the thread

"How-to-add-accessories-to-rack-w-o-having-to-unbolt-crossbars-or-drill-access-holes". its further down on the Prinsu page

I got some of these and found they are easy to install and just as easy to remove or move. They're a bit pricey at $1 each but worth the convivence and being stainless won't rust up on you

 

I'm thinking he meant "1st gen made by prinsu" not "made for 1st gen". The earlier ones didn't have the drilled slots, and even earlier used different cross bars.

You can get a reamer for a drill and probably do it. It may be difficult to keep the bit centered though. If you have a drill press it will be much easier and you can use a normal drill bit that is large enough.

 

I can't seem to find any side rails for my cap rack so I may end up making some from scratch. Has anyone put a roller bar on the rear with bearings for sorta rolling stuff up and over ? Just curious.

 

Anyone have a 1x1 for my 3rd gen. Shark fin in the way and all.