DIY prinsu style shell rack

Just need a rifle case on the right for storage and I'll be done!

Well....and some camp lighting, and fuel holder on the side, and wind deflector...

 

you might want a hi lift case like I got for mine
http://www.jackguard.com/ or similar

 

Looking forward to the weekend. Most of my supplies have shown up and have everything drawn up for drilling. I haven't seen anyone post any measurements but this is what I am going to do on my DCSB Snugtop.

 

Mine is closeish. Used 2” side plates that I got for free and the 47” tnuts bars. Still need to finalize my perimeter lighting, quick release tent mounts, and shell mounts then it’s getting painted. Ended up with 7 bars and 68” tip to tip. Will be running a rtt and awning on it.

 

What’s everyone using for mounts to the canopy and rack. Needs to be able to hold a rtt with two adults in it.

 

I'll put a boot on it when it's up there - only on trips. It lives in the bed otherwise.

 

Here is what I was trying to explain poorly before. By having 3 tapped holes on one side you will get 5 different positions. If you took the other side and offset one of the holes a 1/4 of an inch you could potentially end up with 10 different heights with 1/4" increments.


Here is an ideal to get you more turning radius. This will do 45 degrees but you could easily slim that down.

 

And some nearly finished pics. Just need to mount my lights and whip up some tent mounts.




I used 1/4” stainless carriage bolts that I filed flats on just enough to slide into the 80/20. This is fast and cheap. I also made “plates” that I cut to length and tapped 1/4-20 for anchoring the rack to. Thanks op for sharing and thanks to all the others who chimed in with ideas/suggestions.

 

For those looking for a mounting solution. 3/8” thick hat bracket ground down to match the roofs curve. More meat on the $45 diy mount then I’ve seen anywhere.

 

The problem we encountered with this revolves around the hardware. 1, keeping it tightened appropriately if the center block is tapped is challenging, and 2, accessing the track and rail bolts in the lower positions. With swings in temperature, vibration, etc, being able to tighten the mount up without taking it apart is a big challenge.

 

Where does one buy a 3/8” “hat bracket”? Thanks!

 

https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/2...Bracket-Support-for-3-Crossmembers_p_707.html

I cut one of these into 3 so two of these will make 6 brackets. The base is 3/8 the rest of it is 1/4, full aluminum. $30

 

Just what I have been looking for. Thanks!

 

NP, took me awhile to find that and thought you guys can use the tip.

 

What's the distance between the bars and cap and center line?

 

I bought some 1/4 carriage bolts and they don't fit in the tnutz cross bars, are you guys using anything else?... I can't get the cross bars mounted to my feet. The bolts I bought fit fine in my prinsu rack cross bars which are similar.

 

I finally made some good progress on my take on this. My needs are slightly different in that I want to maintain my Thule long bars, but wanted something to go between them. I was looking for something that would be ~29" long and sit lower than the Thule cross bars.

@BeachBoy and @Barnburner were kind enough to send me a model of what they are doing, and I used my 3d printer to carve it up to help make my template. My routing skills need some work, but I have something that is almost functional.

I wrote up a few more details here

Here are a few pictures

The template

 

Those mini plates are rowdy! Nicely done!

 

I've got the mounts down to 2.1in overall height. that's ultra-low for 3 axis adjustability
Oh still full 90 degrees, but now 3/16 thickness and 5/16 hardware (I used 1/8 plates and 3/8 hardware on the prior test... the plates were kinda thin and the hardware way too beefy for the load)

getting one set of plates cut also, in both laser and waterjet (to see if it's as good and maybe even less warping, especially for those 7 feet long SUV versions)

Details of the updated mounts here: BeachBurner OVRLND racks

 

You are not alone. I simply grind down the square part of the carriage bolt until it fits. It sucks but made it work.