Front of Bed MOLLE Rack

Just a quick look at material prices yields the following costs just for the material:

• 1/8" Aluminum $119 each (4x8 sheet, only 3 per sheet) 6.5 lb
• 3/16" Aluminum $208 each (4x8 sheet, only 3 per sheet) 9.69 lb
• 1/4" Aluminum $245 each (4x8 sheet, only 3 per sheet) 12.91 lb
• 11 Ga. (~<1/8") Steel $85 each (4x8 sheet, only 3 per sheet) 19.10 lb
• 10 Ga. (~>1/8") Steel $64 each (5x10 sheet, only 7 per sheet) 21.25 lb
• 1/4" Plate Steel $128 each (4x8 sheet, only 3 per sheet) 38.50 lb
• 1/4" Plate Steel $199 each (5x10 sheet, only 7 per sheet) 38.5 lb

I would definitely like some feed back on what thickness material people would prefer. Obviously 10 Gage steel yields the cheapest in material costs, but is this thickness durable enough for everyone? Aluminum has the added benefit of being lightweight and corrosion resistant.

I think these should work with most tonneau covers but I will look some more at mine this afternoon.

*EDITED TO INCLUDE WEIGHTS*

 

If aluminum I'd like it to be thicker, I bounce around alot and wouldn't want the stuff I have strapped down to bend the metal under stress. I like steel, but there obviously is a rust factor especially for people with open beds

 

I think CaliRaisedLed is working on this same rack for the front of the bed.

 

I'd like the 3/16" or 1/4" alum., short bed.

 

3/16" or 1/4" alum., short bed.

second gen.

 

Why don't u drill your own holes lower in the Cali raised ones?

 

I went and checked out my truck against the size of the cali raised. I actually had thought of that, had it in my basket on their website but then went outside and did a double check.

1) Need spacers to get it to fit right on the OEM rail, would probably work okay, I just don't like spacers (personal mental issue I know) and I feel like it might look a little off.
2) I would need to shave it down a fair amount to make it fit if used the lowered ones, the bakflip lowered my rails close to two inches or more it looks like and I'd have to remove a decent amount of the caliraised one to make it fit right.
3) After I did the altering it would look rough because my skills are so/so and I want something that looks good and clean. I also would need to buy a grinder, don't really want to do that right now.


It is still an option, but the more I looked at it the more I didn't want to do it. I am hoping something like this comes out and solves the problem. If then I still want more, I can look harder at altering the cali-raised one.

 

Ha I guess I'm not the only one with this idea, including using the truck bed bolts for support! I'd be interested as well.

If those top holes mount to the front rail, could you add a lip at the top (that bends towards rear of truck) in order to be able to mount bike mounts, antenna, lights, etc.?

 

Adding bends will increase costs and how easy it is to make. But I could come up with some mounts that would work off the holes.

 

Fair enough!

 

I'd be willing to pay more for some bends.

 

A piece of alum angle would be a simple solution.

 

I would be interested, Sub'd for future mod!

 

Well... CaliRaised just posted their version on IG.

 

I saw that, it looks like the only place that holds the their bracket is the 5-M6 or M8 bolts. The one I've designed use the bed bolts as well to provide stability and integrity. I also don't think it will cost $250

 

After looking at the short bed there is no a simple way to make a piece that is universal between the two bed sizes. Reason being that the bed holes are spaced differently; the long bed holes are not in between the wheel wells like it is on the short bed.

 

... and now on TW.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...tem-caliraisedled.539725/page-4#post-17487010

However, it is 10ga steel, and with powdercoat $290.

 

dang thats some $$$

 

Interested in one depending on final costs

 

For people who would like one of the for their short bed I need the dimension pictured below. It is the center to center space between the bed mounts; this is clearly going to be different for the short bed because it doesn't have room behind the wheel well like the long bed.