Prinsu Style Roof Rack - CAD models?

that's impressive. I was going to say that If it was metal that it would need to be something thinner. all of my design is based on being .25 aluminum. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm using 2 separate supports behind the wind deflector I would be able to do the same. well do the same after I used some cardboard and time to figure out that design. awesome job btw.

 

well after the conversation that was prompted by @Billy_trd and @auskip07. I made a change to the curve on the rack and lowered the counterpoint of the arc an inch. im hoping that this is enough to make it more pleasing to the eye and functional. I do appreciate the comments and questions as to why it was done this way. I am by no means a professional but if I do end up sharing the design with everyone I would prefer to have something figured out that is liked by a majority.

 

Definitely would be intrested in that file. Would be a big help

 

im in the middle of moving to WA but I should be back in SD for a few weeks to hopefully get the rack cut out and set up to see how it will look in reality. ill add some pictures when its all said and done.

 

So... Sorry I'm late. just jumping on this thread. Was anyone able to come up with the cads / measurements? I'm going to give this a try...

 

just realized I never added my pictures. ill do that in a min. I shouldn't have changed the arc on the wind deflector. had to recut it after I got all the parts.

 

Ok here are a few pictures of how my rack came out. Big thanks to @MESO and @upTOPoverland for all the discussions we had in various forums on how to make this work. Before anyone asks it’s all 1/4” plate aluminum. Yes the bull horns for the curve of the wind deflector look strange and I agree. I’ll redesign it later to be more aero dynamic and fit better like what Meso did for his. No I will not be sharing the CAD files just yet. I still need to fix a few problems I found after getting it made.

 

Looks legit

I’ll be designing my own to fit in front of a vagabond drifter style camper. More of a flaring with a tool box to store tire airing up/down.

 

Your roof rack looks great. Have you tried incorporating a really good 3D model of a 3rd Gen into Solidworks? This might help get you part of the way digitally with the front plate fit and then you can verify dimensions on your truck prior to making a new plate? I work in Engineering Design and we tend to utilize as much digital information as possible with real world dimension verification prior to cutting chips. I was thinking of designing a few items for my truck in the future and I would definitely start with high fidelity models if they are available. I wouldn't rely solely on the models though and just use them for reference to get my design roughed out.

Many years ago at SIGGRAPH they used a Microsoft Kinect to 3D scan objects and that might also be an inexpensive viable option to get point cloud data from your truck as well.

Here is a link: https://all3dp.com/2/kinect-3d-scanner-easy-beginner-tutorial/

 

I have thought about it. the day job gets in the way of me having the time to tinker with it right now. I missed out on a good opportunity though when a guy at lowes asked about the rack. turns out he wants to build a rack for his sprinter van and has access to a lidar gun at his work. I didn't get his info which sucks because that would have really made a good file. I do think ill use that Kinect idea to get a good start on a few things though.

 

That looks fantastic so far. A few tweaks here and there and you're more than just onto something.
I'd definitely be interested in cad files if you ever decide to do that.

 

That looks amazing, I was wondering and did not see anyone ask but how much did it cost?

 

I don’t understand why Prinsu went with round 1” risers to mount the rack the roof. It’s a total PITA to drill holes in the roof moulding. They should have used used square 1” stock to help eliminate drilling. You would just need to cut the moulding to length to reinstall.

 

But... you do have to double sticky your moulding down now, whereas before it was connected through.

 

ok so Ill speak from my experience here. I went with an elongated octagon shape for mine and the bottom of the drip channel under the moulding was just under an inch if I remember right. so using 1" round tube (thick wall) is more cost effective than having to do like I did and either cut it out (water jet in my case) or mill it to shape then cut to the right height.

 

You should check out the mounting style for the Sherpa Grand Teton. I have one on my truck and I really like the way it mounts.

 

Pictures?

 

If you want a picture of it on my truck of an upclose shot you'll have to wait a day or two. But....

https://sherpaequipmentco.com/components/adjustable-front-mounting-feet

Here are the mounting feet they use. These bolt to the 80/20 extruded aluminum instead of the side piece. My opinion is that this is sturdier.

 

I'm willing to wait, I'm familiar with their product and I'm trying replicate their mount for my own DIY rack.