DIY prinsu style shell rack

they have 50" standard t-slots profiles

so up from 47 is 50 (unless you want to pay $$$ for custom cut length

 

Well nothing a little elbow grease and file can't fix.



All bars for now. Time to paint.



I've installed the vertical rear bar.



Only error is the holes for the wind deflector are too far apart, but I won't use one anyway. Corrected on CAD already.

 

This may be a dumb question, but what’s the purpose of the rear vertical bar, potential awning mounting point?

 

Well I had in mind rear lights, small awning or drying rack, shower curtain frame, etc. The narrow side normally on the back is probably sufficient for most applocapplic but it's the same.prixe to have two extra holes in case someone wants to mount something heavy/large there.

 

Looking good man!
Do the 50" bars have the same end hole pattern/size as the 47" bars. I can go with the 50" and still use your side panels?
Also, just ordered the SmittyBilt foot mounts on Amazon. Just need your side panels and SS hardware. Thanks!

 

I'm contemplating the 50" bars. Do you have a pic that's straight from the rear? I wanna see how much it comes to the cap edge. Thanks again Beach Boy!

 

Yes you can simply mount 50" bars.

You will need some hardware to link the smittybilt to the rails and the rack. What track do you have (plates are different)

 

I don't have one yet. You can Google the prinsu one in Google images... They are 47"

Check here you can see top vieiw pictures.http://www.prinsudesignstudio.com/product-page/2005-2017-toyota-tacoma-toprac-6-bed

For reference, the outside edge of the cab tracks is 44", so 50 would be 3" more each side.

 

I have the Proline tracks. I’m gonna have to search for plates that will work.

 

I did something very similar. Mine are 1/4” 6061 cut on waterjet. Extrusion holes are 1” OC, .28” diameter and they line up perfectly. Have you put a caliper on the piece to confirm dimensions? Have to imagine that something is off in the cut, 1” OC is what the 10 series bars measure...

 

What do you think about the 1/4” ? I’m debating on 3/16” va 1/4”. I occasionally load stuff like plywood, drywall or lumber on top, but when I do, I tend to go overboard.

 

The cost was minimal, actual benefit was probably minimal as well, however bigger is always better, right!

Also, “my” design is almost identical to yours! See attached. I thought about doing exactly what you are, just offering side plates and letting you pick your bars and mounting feet yourself.

 

I used 1/4 5052

 

Wanna share that file? I have someone local who can cut it for me, I just haven’t tried to make a template yet.

 

Each bar has a weight rating. That rating times the number of bars is the max load the bars themselves can carry regardless of plate thickness. While convenient to assemble, this type of rack doesn't have the strength of a welded lumber rack so find out the limit for the rack you assemble and stay under it. Please be responsible, your load could easily kill someone if the rack failed.

 

While I don’t disagree with any of the above, it’s important to remember the roof has a limit as well. More feet help you balance the weight better over the length of the cap, however I’m pretty confident that the roof/attachment points would fail long before the rack would, regardless of construction. I’ve never seen a hard number for max weight on my cap, I just never chance it...

 

Thanks, I'll try my best to be responsible, when I load plywood onto my truck once every 3 years. Maybe I'll make two, 2-mile trips to HD instead of one.

 

This is a situation ripe for abuse. Just because you can put some thing together doesn't mean it can hold whatever will fit on it. A kayak or even an rtt doesn't compare to even a relatively small construction load and I cringed at "I tend to go overboard". The DOT regulates companies that sell aftermarket equipment but can't prevent it's misuse. I'm not trying to be overly critical since I'm leaning towards a similar system but I do have serious safety concerns about the lack of oversight or recommended weight limits. Highways are already the most dangerous place to be, let's not make it worse.

 

Thanks loads.

 

OK. I'll make three trips to Home Depot.