Enclosed bed rack

Has anyone built an enclosed bed rack? I have a rough picture in my head but I'm looking for inspiration.
Basically a canopy but with a tube frame underneath and not as tall.
I currently have a kb voodoo rack over a tonneau cover and the wasted space between the tent and the tonneau is bothering me.

Something along the lines of the rack in the photo but half the height and closed in with sheet metal

 

https://datinfab.com/tacoma-canvas-cage-bed-rack-gen-3/

This with a softopper underneath? You could roll up the sides (or not) and achieve what I think you’re looking for.

 

That's pretty much what I'm looking for, but sheet metal instead of canvas ideally. I don't live in the best neighborhood so I don't think the canvas would last long

 

Check out rip cords thread, he kinda did what you are saying except for adding a tent on top.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ripcords-spruce-mica-build.552033/page-15#post-22773232

 

That's pretty close! The list of other diy campers will be helpful too, thanks!

 

I too am looking for something along these lines. Something like a body armour bed rack with some maxtrax etc on the side than maybe canvas at the tailgate and top to enclose for a dog?

 

I don't have one currently, but I've been throwing around ideas with my buddy who is a fabricator. We were thinking of throwing a sheet metal panel that follows the lines of the bed rack on top, with a few holes spread throughout for mounting it right on top of the bed rack. The main inspiration for this idea was because I was considering something to be able to turn the bed rack into a camper shell so I could use that as another camping option, or for more secure storage when I'm not on a trip.

thought about adding extra holes as well so I could still mount accessories, but of course the more holes there are, the less sealed it is from the elements. He had quoted me about $3-500 for a single piece panel, depending if i wanted steel or aluminum. Seems steep, but when you think that a skid plate is only a bit lower than the lower end of that estimate, and significantly less total material.

 

Does anyone know what brand the one posted in the original post is? I like it. I want it!

 

It's not completely closed in but look at the new rack prototype for victory off road.

 

I am thinking something like this. It solves the sides being I closed and up to the cab but how would I close in the top without using a RTT. Also how would I enclose the back. Fab some sort of similar panel in a gate style?

 

For real where's a link for the OP pic?

 

Its been posted on here a bunch of times. I'm pretty sure it was a one off made by an east coast boat company or something, cant remember the name.

 

Howdy OP


I also have a KB VOODOO rack on my 21’ taco. I’ve been playing around with a lot of ideas and am about to start making things happen. Will probably start welding supports with angle iron and my flux core this week.

once I can get my TIG up, I think I’ll be shifting into creating sheet metal sides and top to close it up. I’m actually thinking of running the sheet metal internal to the rack so that it maintains its modularity and ability to affix things onto it. As well as possibly cut out some holes here and there and stick some “marine” windows along the sides. I’m not sure yet.

 

Which specific rack do you have?

We have accessory panels that can help you enclose the rack.

 

i got it off the market place a long time ago. I don’t know the model but this may help.

 

Oh sorry, that's an old discontinued model. None of our Max Modular parts will fit it.

Have you thought about enclosing it with canvas?

 

I actually explored that option first but with old sails. I’m working on a CAD blue print now though. I like the idea of adding modular and more water “sealed” sides.

 

An HVAC shop could bang out galvanized panels for you lickity split, then you could prime and paint them.

Those guys are good. Make sketches on a napkin and poof, the parts will appear.

 

thats a great idea! Thank you! I have a lot of tools and things that I use to fabricate but that would make it a lot faster

 

Those guys can whip up complex transitions with nothing but an idea in their head, so a couple panels is a cake walk.