Bed Side Lift

[Mo HeatO]

I want to run a 60Qt Fridge/Freezer, on a slide, in the bed of my Gladiator, AND still be able to close the tonneau cover to keep the bed contents clean and dry. I figure I need to raise the bed sides up 6-7". Also, will be running a bed rack for RTT and awning. I have been looking into 8020 extruded aluminum to create the lift I need, specifically 40-8016, which is 80mm x 160mm. I'm in the early stages of fabri-cobling something together. Any thoughts????

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[Rubclt]

@Mo HeatO Interesting idea to a common issue. My refrigerator is inside cab because of short bed height. Later, I used short Rebel rack and could put refrigerator in back, but use bed in other ways so leaving in cab.

On your project, maybe remove bed cap, bolt side extension in and put bed cab back on top of extension. This way the tonneau cover still operates the same. Might even have bed rails inside extension to use various accessories.

The other idea would be find a junk yard bed and cut top seven inches and graft to bed with body work and paint. Look forward to following progress.

 

[ggdillon]

The bed depth is my biggest complaint about the gladiator. I knew it was an issue as my old Tacoma had the same issue. I also tried to think my way through a way to raise the bed a few inches and put a tonneau on it, but ultimately decided it was more than I could reasonably do myself and the cost to get someone else to do it was too high, so I look forward to what you come up with. Someone needs to make a solution for this.

The 40-8016 is a good idea but pricey. I love t-slot extruded aluminum. Mounting to trail rails or similar with some brackets seems reasonable for someone with a brake and knowledge. IT would simple to mount some plate on top to mount the tonneau. You might look at the VooDoo VRS rails for inspiration (imagine them solid and going around three sides), I have them and they mount strong, secure and were easy to make fully watertight when I put a tonneau on top.

As for extending the tailgate, it seems like some bent steel or aluminum could be bolted to existing bolt holes, but I never investigated the strength of what they are bolted in to. I was a little worried about the extra leverage.

Good luck! And if you get it all figured out, I bet myself and others would be interested in going in to get some extra brackets and hardware made so we could do it our trucks.

 

[BennieD]

I put on a ARE Cover that solves it all. Completely waterproof and looks great Lots of room now!

 

[Mo HeatO]

I put on a ARE Cover that solves it all. Completely waterproof and looks great Lots of room now!

Is that a cap? Like a topper? So it is level with the top of the truck cab?
Trying to keep the RTT as much out of the wind as possible. And keep it lower to the ground for center of gravity issues and garage door clearances.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

Is that a cap? Like a topper? So it is level with the top of the truck cab?
Trying to keep the RTT as much out of the wind as possible. And keep it lower to the ground for center of gravity issues and garage door clearances.

What RTT do you have? We had a traditional RTT, but height clearance and weight we have since parted ways and moved to a gazelle ground tent. Still kicking around the idea of selling the topper and picking up a GFC…. In my opinion it’s the best durability and function wise- out there.

This is a topic challenge. I have a century topper that I love for keeping everything dry and out of the weather- to include the dogs…… and also have a decked system that we keep all of our recovery gear, tools, fluid etc. in. We have a snomaster traveler fridge that stays in the back 80-90% of the time too….. but with the decked system, I need to come up with some sort of slide that drops down to tailgate level.
Watching this thread for ideas.

what fridges are you guys running? Before our topper I could place the fridge sideways and run a canvas tonneau cover just fine- just not ideal for access. ???

 

[BennieD]

Yes it is. I added a drivers side toolbox accessible from the flip up glass on side and a light inside. Cost $3000. I also tinted windows as seen in snow pic so you can't see what is inside. They come with some tint but not enough.

 

[Mo HeatO]

Yes it is. I added a drivers side toolbox accessible from the flip up glass on side and a light inside. Cost $3000. I also tinted windows as seen in snow pic so you can't see what is inside. They come with some tint but not enough.

Nice setup! Looks great and it is an option. Thanks for the images!

 

[Rubclt]

@Mo HeatO here is a short topper like option that is not in production but they are taking preorders.

https://americanadventurelab.com/product/jeep-jt-load-bearing-enclosure/

 

[Mo HeatO]

@Mo HeatO here is a short topper like option that is not in production but they are taking preorders.

https://americanadventurelab.com/product/jeep-jt-load-bearing-enclosure/

OMG!!! This is great! Can't believe there is a product on the market which will be almost perfect. And lighter weight than what I had in my head. Thank you for sending the link! Im IN!

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

@Mo HeatO here is a short topper like option that is not in production but they are taking preorders.

https://americanadventurelab.com/product/jeep-jt-load-bearing-enclosure/

This is pretty slick.

 

[Volt0]

I get the roof top tent, but I’m not understanding the awning in the pic. My sense is that you would need to be pretty short to be under that thing.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

I get the roof top tent, but I’m not understanding the awning in the pic. My sense is that you would need to be pretty short to be under that thing.

Gear on sliders- I think that’s why they are highlighting their drawer system in the photos.

 

[Volt0]

Gear on sliders- I think that’s why they are highlighting their drawer system in the photos.

I was looking at the top, left side; I thought that was an awning and just now zoomed in and saw that it’s a tent; strapped on just next to the RTT.

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