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

[BuiltRight]

I can't speak authoritatively because obviously I didn't design it and it isn't my business, but without looking at the racks that they make for other vehicles, my guess is that it's a combination of stability and common parts with other racks for other makes and models. Something that follows the contour of the cab (nearly vertical) would certainly be less laterally stable, especially at those heights. I think it's a cool looking rack and to go more vertical, you'd probably need some triangulation, which would mess with the space you've got under the rack.

My only wonder is if they located the feet in areas where the plastic rail cap is well-supported. They seem pretty thorough with their design, so I'm guessing they did. When I prototyped our lo-rise rack and used feet on the rail cap like that, I saw deformation of the cap after about 1000mi in the sun.

Matt

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[steffen707]

I can't speak authoritatively because obviously I didn't design it and it isn't my business, but without looking at the racks that they make for other vehicles, my guess is that it's a combination of stability and common parts with other racks for other makes and models. Something that follows the contour of the cab (nearly vertical) would certainly be less laterally stable, especially at those heights. I think it's a cool looking rack and to go more vertical, you'd probably need some triangulation, which would mess with the space you've got under the rack.

My only wonder is if they located the feet in areas where the plastic rail cap is well-supported. They seem pretty thorough with their design, so I'm guessing they did. When I prototyped our lo-rise rack and used feet on the rail cap like that, I saw deformation of the cap after about 1000mi in the sun.

Matt

cool, thanks for the insight of potential design limitations with these racks.

 

[Jeepers!]

I wish Mopar would make the Wayout rack. Or a version of it with cross bars on the sides. It's the closest I've seen to following the contours of the truck.

 

[steffen707]

was this ever put on this thread? lol, We made the news! well @Bobs85Reny did i guess.
https://www.motor1.com/news/317533/jeep-gladiator-bed-toppers-renders/

 

[Bobs85Reny]

was this ever put on this thread? lol, We made the news! well @Bobs85Reny did i guess.
https://www.motor1.com/news/317533/jeep-gladiator-bed-toppers-renders/

Its a community effort

 

[msujedi]

I'm in the same boat as you... I almost want a rack that's like a shell, but is modular and open. Contoured and cab height would be fantastic. Not everyone likes a Rooftop tent for overlanding

Same here ... leaning toward an 80/20 build using their fully adjustable angle connectors to match the cab angle. The hardest part will be ensuring a high level of stability. I want to make it rigid enough for a RTT even though I don't plan on mounting one. My cost estimate for parts is about $850.

 

[steffen707]

Same here ... leaning toward an 80/20 build using their fully adjustable angle connectors to match the cab angle. The hardest part will be ensuring a high level of stability. I want to make it rigid enough for a RTT even though I don't plan on mounting one. My cost estimate for parts is about $850.

That's about what I came to for an 80/20 build too. I need to hit up my aluminum welding amigo. might go 1.5x3.0 rectangular aluminum tube and call it a day.

 

[msujedi]

I need to hit up my aluminum welding amigo.

It's good to have connections!

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Same here ... leaning toward an 80/20 build using their fully adjustable angle connectors to match the cab angle. The hardest part will be ensuring a high level of stability. I want to make it rigid enough for a RTT even though I don't plan on mounting one. My cost estimate for parts is about $850.

Could you post a link of their "fully adjustable angle connector" ?

 

[Bobs85Reny]

Same here ... leaning toward an 80/20 build using their fully adjustable angle connectors to match the cab angle. The hardest part will be ensuring a high level of stability. I want to make it rigid enough for a RTT even though I don't plan on mounting one. My cost estimate for parts is about $850.

triangulation is the key. You may need to have some brackets made but this stuff is super heavy duty and will hold up no problem

 

[steffen707]

Could you post a link of their "fully adjustable angle connector" ?

i think there is something like this, but once you get the correct angle, you gotta do some kind of triangled support or plate to hold that position, otherwise its not a very strong joint for either front/back, or side/side movement.

I'm no engineer, but i've built sheds out of wood, lol

 

[Bobs85Reny]

Could you post a link of their "fully adjustable angle connector" ?

https://8020.net/fasteningmethods/variableangleconnections.html?p=18

 

[Bobs85Reny]

they also have some fixed angles as well but yes I do agree some custom brackets would need to be made

 

[Bobs85Reny]

Custom brackets could be made to get your angles

 

[steffen707]

Custom brackets could be made to get your angles

i keep going back and forth on wood/8020/welded aluminum.

I think i'll probably do proof of concept with wood,then either 8020 or welded aluminum.

8020 is nice because you can re-purpose the rack if need be. With welded aluminum you could as well, but not as easy or versatile.

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