Metal Tube Bed Racks - ideas and options

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Other threads mix up toppers, covers, and racks.

Creating one thread just for full height bed racks made from metal TUBE. Either round or rectangle tube welded or partially bolted together. No flat metal all bolt together 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 height rack units that look like universal fit or a couple of saw horses stacked on top of your bed rails (apologies in advance if that offends anyone).

Starting this off with the Gladiator's Grandfather, older AEV Brutes...

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[BullDogge]

That is awesome!

 

[MotoBrad]

I really like this idea. I came very close to ordering the Leitner rack setup, but I decided I should wait a year or more to see what the aftermarket comes up with. I'm guessing there are going to be some really cool options! Sema is just around the corner too. Also, I still dont even have my JTR order yet so, there's that lol.

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Other designs...

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/rogue-ironworks-bedrack.28226/

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Nuthouse Industries...

https://nuthouseindustries.com/shop...adiator-cab-height-expedition-truck-bed-rack/

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Maximus 3

https://maximus-3.com/home/jt-gladiator-overland-bed-rack#/jt_gladiator_overland_bed_rack-select_

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Quadratec / Putco Venture Rack (not tube...but close)'

https://www.quadratec.com/p/putco/venture-tec-modular-cargo-system-jeep-gladiator-jt

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

By the way, I'll post up the Leitner because someone is going to mention it...but it doesn't meet my definition in the original post about a fully welded tube rack. The top cross bars are bolted on which is why it has 4 vertical braces @ 45*.

https://www.leitnerdesigns.com/products/classic-active-cargo-system-rjr6l-za5tb-c9hda-cy93l-h3sap

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Of course we can't overlook Jeep's Wayout Concept:

And GlacierGladiator's faithful reproduction of the Wayout:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/glaciergladiators-wayout-gladiator-build.25986/

And TampaJLU too:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/custom-bed-rack.31974/#post-522404

 

[GlacierGladiator]

Of course we can't overlook Jeep's Wayout Concept:

And GlacierGladiator's faithful reproduction of the Wayout:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/glaciergladiators-wayout-gladiator-build.25986/

Hey thanks for the shout out @2020 SCRAMBLER I Love my rack!
Here is one after the line X coating

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Hey thanks for the shout out

No problem and great bed rack. Had a Wayout replica priced out (in steel) but at almost $3K that was a no go for me.

 

[GlacierGladiator]

No problem and great bed rack. Had a Wayout replica priced out (in steel) but at almost $3K that was a no go for me.

Mine is marine grade aluminum. Mine was about that price with the line X.
I felt it was worth it compared to the prices of production racks that you can't even use a tonneau with. I was also not willing to patiently wait for one to come out.

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Here's what I'm in the process of modifying to work on the Gladiator:

All Pro Off Road Pack Rack (1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma, long bed, cab height) = $499

The "U" tubes land exactly flush with the inside bed lip on the Gladiator.

And the "U" tube height is about 1.5" below the top most ridge in the roof of the Gladiator hard top, so the rack is almost flush with the rear edge of the roof line.

All Pro Off Road Pack Rack Dual Accessory Bar = $129

On the accessory bars I opted for the dual-bar same-side mounting system that will keep my Hi-Lift jack outside the truck for easy access if needed and a mounting location for 2 small or 1 large Rotopax (probably will be water supply as I carry 1 or 2 Sceptre military 5 gallon gasoline cans inside the bed strapped to the front wall of the bed).

Here's what I'm doing to modify the rack:

• Replacing the All Pro included bottom 1.75" x 1.75" x 0.12" thick steel angle rack base (sits on top of bed rails) with two 60" long 2" x 3" x 0.1875" thick steel angle sections as the rack base. Need slightly more than 2.5" of the angle to drop down into bed area to align with center track of the Gladiator's Mopar Trail Rail to secure rack to truck bed. +$48 from OnlineMetals.com (Note: Probably could just use 6 angle base pads for the "U" tubes @ 4" long each for a total of 24" of angle material vs. the 120" of material I'm going to use and save maybe $20 but I think the full length base plate that sits on top of the rail cap adds more rigidity to the overall design.)
  
  
• Adding one extra 1.25" tube across the back top of the rack. Will be a very shallow "U" shape and welded on at a 45* angle near the top of the rear tube on the outer side of the rack (think Porsche 911 Ducktail). This will be to protect anything I hang over rear rack tube...or just provide a mounting location for a rear awning or lights. +$28 from OnlineMetals.com
  
  
• Add ~6 trick tabs to the rack (2 each on left & right sides + 2 on rear) for mounting camping site &/or back-up lights. +$15 from Bryke Racing via Amazon

So for ~$700 in materials (plus my time to cut, weld, drill everything to fit) I'll have a very strong rack that will hold much more than just the weight of a roof top tent with occupants. That price point is equivalent to many of the modular racks...but is WAY less expensive than some of the larger expedition racks (i.e., Leitner, etc.).

Once the rack is complete plans are for a bed cover, roof top tent, and perhaps even a Decked set of drawers.

Stay tuned for updates...

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Initial test fit:

Overall tube shape is close to the shape of the Gladiator’s hard top.

Width of tubes at base sits on edge of Gladiator bed rails.

The main tubes angle inward at the top...so hanging a HiLift jack and Rotopax off the sides means they won’t stick out wider than the hard top.

Tubes are spaced 24” apart in this photo. Debating on increasing to ~26-27” apart to move rear tube farther back...or leave as-is to have space at rear on top of bed rail to mount propane tank.

Overall form works well with Gladiator.

Sits exactly flush with the top rear 90* downward curve of the hard top.

Plenty of vertical height inside the bed from floor to main tube.

Another shot of how it will look once welded.

The hardware that came with the rack works perfect with my new Mopar Trail Rails.

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Overall I’m very happy with how the All Pro Off Road (Tacoma) Pack Rack lines up. My expectation was that I was going to have to widen the tube midsections to gain more width to fit the Gladiator bed rails, but I don’t have to do so!

The tube height sits flush with the hardtop. This is great for daily use as it isn’t higher than the hardtop - both for reduced wind noise and regular home/office garage access. This means the rack can stay installed 100% of the time.

But this limits my roof top tent options. My goal is a 4 person RTT as I have 3 sons who camp with me. A hard shell pop-up RTT that fits 3-4 people is 78”-86” long - so it has to be situated 20”-24” over the rear of the hard top (similar issue Jeep had to address on the Wayout concept).

At the current height of the rack, I’m limited to a soft shell folding RTT that only sits over the bed.

So before I weld up the rack I need to select my RTT. A pop up RTT is my preference as all bedding and pillows can be stored inside (one less item to take up space in the truck bed) and setup is ~1 minute (valuable when trying to solo manage 3 boys while remote camping).

But to fit a pop up RTT means I have to add 2”-3” of height to the base of the main tubes so the length of a pop up RTT will clear the roof line.

Decisions...

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