Tops! Canopy / covers / toppers / racks possibilities for Gladiator - Show me!

[steffen707]

What in the world brought you to think of a piano hinge for a topper?!?! I love the creativity! I'm getting a vinyl roll-up tonneau cover, so I won't need such a hinge. But, really creative!

Trapezoid box made of plywood on top of the white "JT BOX". Piano hinge between the purple and turquoise pieces of plywood allow the whole turqouoise piece to open up.
One piano hinge between each side piece and the rear piece gives you 3/4 full access to the tonneau box.

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[Tortooga Custom Works]

I just google image searched the company and saw a bunch of their stuff. It wasn't really what I'm interested in. I like the way that RLD stainless steel one looks, but I really like the functionality of the Nuthouse tech 3.

Tough choices, but as of right now I'm leaning toward a nuthouse tech 3. Because it's aluminum and extremely versatile. That is, if you shell out the extra cash for the removable top bars, and some aluminum storage boxes. I may have to buy the boxes later cause 1k for two storage boxes seems excessive lol

cool, i just thought you were making some kind of wisconsin joke. =)
I like the RLD one better too, but yikes, $3500 shipped.

Nuthouse is pretty cool. Would you do any of their lighting packages?

I think nuthouse is what I'm leaning towards. I'm probably going to at least reserve a build spot for January.

I do think I'll be doing the removable bars, the lighting and one of their removable covers, the coiling one, or the other one.
With lighting tho...

There are two unique-ish things I want to figure out. One is slightly different accent lighting. I don't like the LEDs they use, so I'm going to see if they are up for using something different... also, I want a chase bar... and I want to see if they can mount it to the last removable bar, and have a quick disconnect harness.... we'll see...

 

[tanman]

cool, i just thought you were making some kind of wisconsin joke. =)
I like the RLD one better too, but yikes, $3500 shipped.

Nuthouse is pretty cool. Would you do any of their lighting packages?

Yeah the RLD is really expensive for what it is.

Nuthouse though, yeah i'd prolly do the lighting package. even though its expensive. when you add in the removable bars, the base price is like 3,755. A lot more bang for your buck and so versatile. Plus you can add stuff to it for years to come. from the retractable cover to the aluminum boxes, etc. I will say I'd be afraid to install that weatherproof switch box myself. Maybe a fun project though.

I think i'm sold on this rack at this point. Unless something else comes out in the next couple months lol

 

[msujedi]

Trapezoid box made of plywood on top of the white "JT BOX". Piano hinge between the purple and turquoise pieces of plywood allow the whole turqouoise piece to open up.
One piano hinge between each side piece and the rear piece gives you 3/4 full access to the tonneau box.

Hmmm ... going with plexiglass in the rear for visibility? Weather-seal strips on frame at seams where side & rear panels make contact? Gas struts to assist with lift?

What about over-sized items? Would you just remove the whole top if/when needed?

Do you have a cost estimate for parts yet? Are you really gonna make me rethink my 80/20 with roll-up tonneau plan like this?!?

 

[tanman]

I think nuthouse is what I'm leaning towards. I'm probably going to at least reserve a build spot for January.

I do think I'll be doing the removable bars, the lighting and one of their removable covers, the coiling one, or the other one.
With lighting tho...

There are two unique-ish things I want to figure out. One is slightly different accent lighting. I don't like the LEDs they use, so I'm going to see if they are up for using something different... also, I want a chase bar... and I want to see if they can mount it to the last removable bar, and have a quick disconnect harness.... we'll see...

exactly my thoughts, now i wonder if my granite LE will show up by the time my rack gets built lol

 

[steffen707]

Hmmm ... going with plexiglass in the rear for visibility? Weather-seal strips on frame at seams where side & rear panels make contact? Gas struts to assist with lift?

What about over-sized items? Would you just remove the whole top if/when needed?

Do you have a cost estimate for parts yet? Are you really gonna make me rethink my 80/20 with roll-up tonneau plan like this?!?

I'll probably just do it without plexiglass in the rear. I just put that on so people could hopefully understand the concept better.

Yep weather seal around whole base of trapezoid, watherseal strips on frame around the access panels. Might even countersink them into the frame for better water channeling. Any water that does get between the two pieces of plywood, will hopefully hit that channel, run down to the base and run off.
Yep 6 gas struts to assist with lift.

I'm planning to use a pulley system to lift this off my JT for daily use, so i'll still need a tonneau.

Don't have a cost estimate yet.

 

[steffen707]

Hmmm ... going with plexiglass in the rear for visibility? Weather-seal strips on frame at seams where side & rear panels make contact? Gas struts to assist with lift?

What about over-sized items? Would you just remove the whole top if/when needed?

Do you have a cost estimate for parts yet? Are you really gonna make me rethink my 80/20 with roll-up tonneau plan like this?!?

i'm actually thinking of painting the top white to match the jeep with black camoflauging, or the inverse of that, black with white camoflaging. Need to learn more about that.

I painted a fake plywood gun once with multiple shades of green and earthy tan with wide grass blades and some foliage from a bush. It turned out pretty well. No idea how great or aweful it'll look like on a huge 60"x22"x55" box.

 

[5JeepsAz]

Holy lord that looks good. Might need to steal some of this tech!

Tech like a wheel? Boy howdy we are getting advanced! Good ply man, ply!

 

[steffen707]

Do you have a cost estimate for parts yet?

6 sheets of marine plywood @ $60 each (2 for top, 2 for bottom, 2 for 4 sides)
2x4s for frame - negligible
1.5x3" aluminum rectangle tubes $200-$300 welded with a friend discount
Paint???

Probably looking at $600-$700 realistically if you're handy to do the wood work and attach it all to the aluminum frame, AND can find somebody local to weld it for a decent price.

Also I found pricing ranging from $25 per 5' rectangle tube to $80 per tube. Find a local supplier that won't gouge you. i'm thinking of ordering from this place, https://www.midweststeelsupply.com/store/index.php

 

[steffen707]

6 sheets of marine plywood @ $60 each (2 for top, 2 for bottom, 2 for 4 sides)
2x4s for frame - negligible
1.5x3" aluminum rectangle tubes $200-$300 welded with a friend discount
Paint???

Probably looking at $600-$700 realistically if you're handy to do the wood work and attach it all to the aluminum frame, AND can find somebody local to weld it for a decent price.

Also I found pricing ranging from $25 per 5' rectangle tube to $80 per tube. Find a local supplier that won't gouge you. i'm thinking of ordering from this place, https://www.midweststeelsupply.com/store/index.php

Dang that Aluminum is getting pricey. I best make the whole frame out of wood for a proof of concept first?

 

[SKT]

 

[msujedi]

Dang that Aluminum is getting pricey. I best make the whole frame out of wood for a proof of concept first?

I think I'm leaning back toward my 80/20 design that will come to $800. Unfortunately, I don't have design software to generate and post an image. It isn't enclosed like a cap, but it will weigh much less with a finished look and lots of mounting options for rotopax, maxtrax, lockable storage compartments, bike & kayak carriers, etc. Also, top rails can slide to cab end of rack or be removed by loosening a total of 4 bolts. What I need to speak with an 80/20 rep about is the stability of the variable angle connectors under load & lateral forces.

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

RLD Images:

Thanks for putting these up. It looks like a great cover but it costs so much! Also at 165lbs it's going to be tough to install and remove on a whim.

 

[Bobs85Reny]

Here is an option for a waterproof hinge.
https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23843
https://www.tmhardware.com/UNIGEAR-Hinge-Half-Edge-Mount.html

 

[steffen707]

Here is an option for a waterproof hinge.
https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23843
https://www.tmhardware.com/UNIGEAR-Hinge-Half-Edge-Mount.html

damn, these hinges are cool, but like $95 a piece and i need 3!

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