Quick and dirty truck cap.

Back in 1971 when I brought my first SR5, I went to a local shop. They pulled the aluminum off the racks and built a custom cover with in a week. The cover had a sliding window, racks on top, and 2 side doors. Super fast forward to 2012. Nobody locally makes truck caps not even were I brought my first! After waiting 3 weeks for the cover, I made my own.




Now I am pondering building or buying racks for ladder / kayak and bed rack for bicycles. Does anyone have a design to share or a brand they really like?

Bill

 

Interesting, Im assuming your going to paint it right?

 

Thats a good idea, Im having a local artist do that to my truck bed soon actually, I dont think it'll look very good with his silver truck though. I was thinking it should be painted and treated to make it last and protect from the elements.

Edit: It is a bit glossy, he might have already treated it with water seal

 

Not working for me, maybe hit it with bedliner?

 

That sounds good too. Dont know how well it will stick though

 

Needs a

 

I dont know yet really, probably just something really random and out there. Its something I personally have not seen done yet so though I'd do it.

 

Will do.

 

Just need one of these fiber-reinforced tailgate mods to complete the look.

 

Doing your part within your community

 

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Being a quick and dirty job, I have some poly left over from some previous projects so I thinned it down a little and slapped a couple of coats on it.

There are several local artist here that might like to get a hold of it for a paint project.

I may never use it again (-; unless I find another house to remodel. But a rack to haul bikes and kayaks is much more important than a paint job now.

 

Here's how you haul both...




Just kayaks...........



Just bikes...........




No pics of the kayaks on the reg cab yet, sorry

 

I bought my cap off craigslist for $100 and it came with ladder rack. I bet you spent close to that on wood alone not counting brackets and hinges...

It is innovative, it will serve its purpose, BUT looks way worse than the cap I have... Sorry has Ghetto look to it, BUT if you are one of those "function > form" guys than it will work for you...lol

 

I did not look there. We have a local trading paper Uncle Henry that catches peoples attention for anything useful around here. Thanks for the suggestion. Sometimes it is a choice between building or waiting to find the right deal. I did not have the time to wait.

Even though it took a few days to make and $130, I do have something that is useful. It can also be modified for custom racks etc.

Now the question is whether to spend 400 or more for a system to carry bikes and kayaks or to design and build one. In the neighborhood where I live I have a couple of good sources for free wood. There is a store down the road where I can usually find hardware for about 40% less than retail. Also there is the signature factor of designing and building something useful that can added to my portfolio. ;-)