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Cap/shell roof rack

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by vwbuggsy, May 11, 2020.

  1. May 11, 2020 at 9:18 AM
    #1
    vwbuggsy

    vwbuggsy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    N-fab steps, Wet Okole Covers, line-x, tint, vent shades, budget stereo upgrades, weathertech floor liners
    Where does one buy a roof rack for a cap or shell? I can't seem to find any online that aren't already on a cap, are they a cap dealer only kind of thing?

    Are they universal? Are they expensive?

    Have any of you simply made one?

    I want a rack on my shell. I'm considering just making one using some 1/4" flat stock for the sides and round bars for the cross bars. I just want something to put ladders, canoes, maybe lumber on but nothing very extravagant just a couple of cross bars.

    I was thinking it would be better to bolt the flat stock to the sides of the cap and run it up vertically rather than using an L shaped bracket to bolt it flat down to the roof of the cap horizontally (if that makes sense). I was thinking that would distribute weight better down the sides of the cap to the truck bed and seal better for leaks

    Like this:
    |----------------------| -rack
    //°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°\\ -sides bent and bolted through side of cap
    / CAP \

    Rather than this:
    L----------------J -rack, bolted down through the roof
    /°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°\
    / CAP \

    Any thoughts appreciated!
     
  2. May 11, 2020 at 10:29 AM
    #2
    fredgoodsell

    fredgoodsell Well-Known Member

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    vwbuggsy[OP] likes this.
  3. May 11, 2020 at 10:41 AM
    #3
    2013XSPX

    2013XSPX Well-Known Member

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    Side_Shot_APR2020.jpg I put Rhino Tracks on my Leer. You can buy just the tracks or the entire system.
     
    Sudsman44, zjdietz and vwbuggsy[OP] like this.
  4. May 11, 2020 at 12:57 PM
    #4
    vwbuggsy

    vwbuggsy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! Waaay to rich for me though. A coupe hundred just for the tracks before you even add cross bars. I don't doubt they are quality or worth it, I just can't afford it. I'll either try to find one off a junkyard cap or, more likely, fab something myself.
     
  5. May 11, 2020 at 1:00 PM
    #5
    fredgoodsell

    fredgoodsell Well-Known Member

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    Junkyard is a good idea. Some folks have had luck taking track systems from junkyard suv's too, I think 4runner racks?

    Edit to add: I forgot about these, they're cheaper than the name brand tracks but still fit all the regular accessories that you can buy cheap secondhand:
    https://www.prolineracks.com/proline-roof-end-track-slats.html
     
    vwbuggsy[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  6. May 11, 2020 at 1:01 PM
    #6
    jwctaco

    jwctaco Victim of a well spent youth

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    Check salvage yard for a Toyota Four Runner roof rack, I have seen them installed on a fiberglass truck cap.
     
    vwbuggsy[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  7. May 11, 2020 at 1:02 PM
    #7
    vwbuggsy

    vwbuggsy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This looks better price wise but sun out of my range. I was thinking like a hundred bucks total. Y'all helped point me to what in actually looking for though as I look for used portions, again if I don't just fab something. It probably wouldn't look as good but it would work.
     
  8. May 11, 2020 at 1:12 PM
    #8
    vwbuggsy

    vwbuggsy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah I'm thinking junkyard is a good call. Either the four runner tracks or several suv's have flat roofs that might work. Ill have to go up to the pick n pull one day and see what looks good. I'm pretty sure that would be less than $50 total.
     
    jwctaco likes this.
  9. May 12, 2020 at 11:23 AM
    #9
    Aquatic Tacoma

    Aquatic Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Both are Stock - built correct from the start.
    I’ve got Yakima rails and bars on mine. Just search Yakima products. Etrailer.com usually has a good supply.
     
    jwctaco likes this.
  10. May 13, 2020 at 2:12 PM
    #10
    StormRnr

    StormRnr Well-Known Member

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    For cheap you can use super strut from home depot. Works with any track mounted tower. Here's how I mounted them to my trailer. Pretty much the same as mounting them to a topper: https://youtu.be/Lso32Nc2DpQ

    -M
     
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  11. May 13, 2020 at 7:08 PM
    #11
    vwbuggsy

    vwbuggsy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, I am liking the junkyard 4 runner rack idea because I think the pick and pull will only charge about $20-$30 for one and it will look real sharp. I might use that super strut stuff for some other projects though.
     
  12. May 17, 2020 at 3:23 PM
    #12
    JPinFL

    JPinFL Well-Known Member

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  13. May 17, 2020 at 7:04 PM
    #13
    vwbuggsy

    vwbuggsy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks!
     
  14. May 27, 2020 at 3:05 PM
    #14
    vwbuggsy

    vwbuggsy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I pulled a roof rack from the pick and pull this weekend. I ended up using the tracks from a late 90's 4 runner, but the cross bars from an early 2000's Ford escape. I liked those cross bars better and the the t tracks from the 4 runner were heavier gauge than the Ford but they were both compatible.

    There were several SUV's in the yard with flat tops that would have worked fine for this, Ford's, Jeeps, Toyotas, etc.

    I had to get new hardware to bolt it down because it was originally bolted straight to the roof. I hit it with some flat black spray paint to spruce it up. I also had to shorten the cross bars by about 2" but it was easy to do.

    I think it looks really good and now that I have the t tracks I could pretty easily fab wider cross bars or buy them.

    All in all, junkyard was the way to go. I also grabbed several extra tie down rings that for the track from around the yard.

    Anyway, here's how it turned out:

    20200527_135914.jpg 20200527_135929.jpg 20200527_135948.jpg 20200527_180411.jpg
     
  15. May 27, 2020 at 3:10 PM
    #15
    vwbuggsy

    vwbuggsy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Oh I almost forgot. The whole rack was 28.50 at the pick and pull. The new stainless hardware, fender washers, lock washers and nuts about 10, and a couple bucks worth of flat black rattle can.

    So I'm in it for less than $50!
     
  16. May 27, 2020 at 3:11 PM
    #16
    jwctaco

    jwctaco Victim of a well spent youth

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    Slick
     
  17. May 28, 2020 at 8:16 PM
    #17
    JasonLee

    JasonLee Hello? I'm a truck.

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    @Madjik_Man ... some ideas in here to save some cash.
     
  18. May 28, 2020 at 8:30 PM
    #18
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    Pretty awesome. Thanks
     
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  19. May 8, 2021 at 1:21 PM
    #19
    TacoManSam

    TacoManSam Well-Known Member

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    Awesome job!!! :thumbsup:

    I'm looking at adding some roof racks to my 6' Leer topper. I came across this thread looking for options and think that these are some great ideas!

    Think I will go check out some junkyards for some roof tracks and other roof rack equipment before deciding to drop several hundred for a name brand setup...
    :spending:
     
  20. Jun 28, 2021 at 4:59 PM
    #20
    TacoManSam

    TacoManSam Well-Known Member

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    For what it's worth, I was able to find some 60" Ford Windstar and 48" (?) Toyota 4Runner roof tracks and racks at my local LQK Pick your Part for only $40.

    The 60" tracks will go on the top of my topper/cap, and also I got the 4Runner tracks with the idea of possibly mounting them inside my topper/cap on the roof and using those little tie down rings to attach paracord or netting for storage.

    Maybe... maybe not. Since installing some D-rings on the bottom of the bolts hold on the track could probably work just as well and wouldn't require the extra work. We'll see... :)

    Anyway - I wire brushed, washed, and hit the 60" tracks up with some black paint + primer spray paint and plan on putting them up next time I get the chance and it's not raining. I swear it's rained EVERY DAY for the past 2 weeks except for one in NE Florida... :rain:
     

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