Bed Rack Ideas

So I'll be starting up a pretty simple bed rack build next semester for my engineering class. I want it to stand out in some way from some of the other designs I've seen, but I'm not quite sure how I want to do that. These are the things I'd like it to feature...

-Spare tire mount
-Hi-lift jack mount
-Light mounts
-Antennae mount
-Possibly room for some jerry can mounts

Also thinking about welding together some tool boxes that would be attached/welded to the sides and hang down into the bed. Any thoughts/advice is appreciated and I will update this thread with the designs I come up with. This will probably be a slow process since I have to do it as a research and design project in class, but I've already put a bit of thought into it and want to get started soon.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/193135-bed-mods.html

 

Thanks for the link. I'm thinking having a place to mount my bike in there would be nice too. That might take a little creativity but I'll find a way to make it work.

 

Not sure how obstructive this would be...

 

That's a really good idea. I may play around with something like that. How does the bike hold up with moderate speed turns and bumps and what not? Sweet bike btw...I love specialized bikes

 

nice!

 

Here's my set up...

 

^ I like the set up. Wanting to do something similar (eventually). Good luck. Just out of curiosity, but would you have the ability to custom make a rear bumper similar to a style of a jeep (Call of Duty model). The bumpers on this Jeep are kick ass!

Something with moderate piping on the sides, style, functionality and most importantly a step for accessibility. This is the only pic I could find. Just in case you felt barking up this venture. Good luck though in what ever you decide.

 

I did some brainstorming and I'm thinking of running a hoop that follows the body by the back glass. I could mount the bike forks higher up on that hoop so there would be more bed space for a spare. I could also figure out a track that would allow me to run the bike up and attach it, then lift it up (on a hinge) and make it sit flat on the tire carrier frame. This would also let me run lights up top.

 

Sexy but I don't think it'll happen sorry haha all the tube bending will be done by a friend since we don't have one and I need to get my first project done before I can start this one

 

not sure if you seen this before. Its a bit of a recycled idea I recreated. You can mount all kinds of stuff to the bed bars. This design allows for full bed space below the rails when needed and when not, full view out the rear window for daily driving. There are tabs welded into each corner of the bar to bed cleat connection for antennas and lights. I have auto cad drawings of it if you want.

 

That's a great idea I knew I saw that somewhere and I thought about incorporating that in my design but didn't have the space. Ive rethought my design since I don't have much time left in this class (other projects took longer than expected) so its going to be a bit more simple but hopefully I can post up pictures of my cad drawings. Space is a big factor now that I have a tool box so I don't think I'll be doing the hoop and I may ditch the spare tire mount or not. I liked the bike mounts on the bed rails but the rails are really skinny on the first gens and would be shorter with a tool box on. I'm thinking ill make two bike mounts horizontal to the bed and put the tire mount in. I'll be able to carry one bike and a tire and a tool box or two bikes and a tool box.

 

chris: where did you come across those bars for your rack build and what hardware did you use to bolt it to the existing toyota rail system? Thanks. I'm looking for a simple design like that for my kayaks and other rack systems

 

I made those bed rails out of 1.75" tubing and welded 2"X3" angles to the ends. The angles are fastened to the rail with bolts and t slot nuts.