I'm building my idea of a perfect (for me) Gladiator rack

[jurfie]

where did you get these "taller" brackets/rails?

Sponsored

 

[CAL32]

Never mind thanks for waking me up to scroll through to the earlier posts...let me know when you plan on mass producing this...I’m a buyer

 

[Space Invader]

For those with an Upper Decker from ACE:
Max Modular says that their system would require modification on my end (which I knew) - I'm just not sure how much.

JCR says their system will not work (though again, I think it COULD be modified).

I may just get a Yakima Overhaul HD (adjustable height) and their bars and have my guy custom fab some brackets to marry the towers to the Upper Decker...

Stay tuned...

I'm building the perfect rack to work with the Yakima system. The frontrunner slimline will fit underneath the Yakima system. Lots of elbow grease required.

 

[uplandgunner]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it but for those looking into the Max Modular rack or parts, KBVoodoo has a pretty terrible reputation of cutting corners among the Tacoma community. Pretty much every generation of their previous racks had powder and rust issues so buyer beware.

Rust and paint? I'm not concerned as I'll get the aluminum one (no rust issues) and they way I use my trucks, spray bomb touch-ups are just a fact of life.

 

[velogeek]

Rust and paint? I'm not concerned as I'll get the aluminum one (no rust issues) and they way I use my trucks, spray bomb touch-ups are just a fact of life.

Just pointing out the history because the response was extremely shitty if one was given at all. The company used cheap powder companies and refused to stand by their products when it would start to peel and rust. Personally, I don't like supporting companies that give lip service to customers then hang them out to dry when they deliver an inferior product but you do what you want.

 

[uplandgunner]

Just pointing out the history because the response was extremely shitty if one was given at all. The company used cheap powder companies and refused to stand by their products when it would start to peel and rust. Personally, I don't like supporting companies that give lip service to customers then hang them out to dry when they deliver an inferior product but you do what you want.

Well you said poor paint and rusting. was the structural engineering poor? was the product poor other than paint issues? Those I can live with to get something that works to my needs. But anyway I'll google the issues to see what's up.

 

[velogeek]

Well you said poor paint and rusting. was the structural engineering poor? was the product poor other than paint issues? Those I can live with to get something that works to my needs. But anyway I'll google the issues to see what's up.

This is a good one to start.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kbvoodoo-rack-issue.596462/

It got so bad that TW actually removed him as an vendor on the site because he wouldn't respond to customer inquiries and they got tired of being flooded with complaints.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kbvoodoo-rack-issue.596462/page-23#post-20072403

Structurally I think they were ok but frankly, at that price, there are other options making a similar product that would suffice. Like I said, I just don't like supporting companies with shitty attitudes.

 

[WhatExit?]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it but for those looking into the Max Modular rack or parts, KBVoodoo has a pretty terrible reputation of cutting corners among the Tacoma community. Pretty much every generation of their previous racks had powder and rust issues so buyer beware.

I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing. Have they / do they respond online? I have yet to see them respond to any of my posts about their product on this forum.

As I've documented, I bought their brackets (they made me buy components I didn't need after they changed their policy halfway through my project) and I painted over their paint. Their brackets seem to be very well made and nicely painted.

 

[velogeek]

I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing. Have they / do they respond online? I have yet to see them respond to any of my posts about their product on this forum.

As I've documented, I bought their brackets (they made me buy components I didn't need after they changed their policy halfway through my project) and I painted over their paint. Their brackets seem to be very well made and nicely painted.

I linked the TacomaWorld posts above and short version, they either don't respond or just write off complaints (i.e. manufacturing defects only an no warranty no the powder you have no option to not buy). All around just bad customer service.

Unfortunately for a project like yours, you need to either by existing parts or get them custom machined. Without too many options, you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[uplandgunner]

This is a good one to start.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kbvoodoo-rack-issue.596462/

It got so bad that TW actually removed him as an vendor on the site because he wouldn't respond to customer inquiries and they got tired of being flooded with complaints.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kbvoodoo-rack-issue.596462/page-23#post-20072403

Structurally I think they were ok but frankly, at that price, there are other options making a similar product that would suffice. Like I said, I just don't like supporting companies with shitty attitudes.

I see what you mean now as I went thru like 30 some pages of that. I for sure wouldn't touch a steel one. I wonder how bad the aluminum ones are. Its the only one so far I found with brackets that clear the tonneau cover. It sure would be easy to make a few pieces to extend it up another few inches to clear the cover all the way as you roll it up.

 

[WhatExit?]

It sure would be easy to make a few pieces to extend it up another few inches to clear the cover all the way as you roll it up.

You did look at what I did (in this thread) using 2 different brackets which enables the tonneau cover to be rolled up, right? (it takes a lot more than "another few inches")

 

[uplandgunner]

You did look at what I did (in this thread) using 2 different brackets which enables the tonneau cover to be rolled up, right? (it takes a lot more than "another few inches")

Yeah, I did but I think those brackets are going to be too tall but the lower ones he's making might work as to raising some other rack

 

[Rupicon]

Scott tells me that their new bracket fits and works on a Gladiator. He hasn't had access to a Gladiator with a tonneau cover to get the dimensions to ensure it's wide enough to work with the tonneau cover.

If any Gladiator owner has a factory tonneau cover in/near the Salem, OR area please get in touch with Scott.

In the meantime, I will provide him with dimensions needed to ensure his bracket, which he will modify, will work with the tonneau cover and also with his Tower (upper) brackets as shown in my pics (above).

Don't give up - he's working fast and he will make changes to the bracket as he wants it to work with the tonneau cover. I assume it would also work with a variety of flip-type bed covers. The only question then is will the flip panels clear under the combined height of the two brackets. I suspect not but that's TBD.

It’s been a few weeks...just curious if anyone has any more update from Scott and his new bracket design. I have a trip coming up in April and need to do something soon. With the Mopar Tonneau my options are somewhat limited. I could go with the KBVodoo bars and keep the cover but really a pain when I need to roll up the tonneau. Your towers setup would be perfect...but need the brackets. Having to buy 8 from KBVoodoo is just too much. Really appreciate all you have done and shared so far.

 

[WhatExit?]

I sent Scott pics of my set up with dimensions so he has what he needs to modify his lower (tonneau) bracket design. I haven't heard from him recently about that so I'll ping him and report back.

 

[Rupicon]

Awesome! I appreciate you taking all this time to help others out. All of your threads have been extremely helpful and eye opening.

Sponsored