Calling out my engineers for this one. Custom over the cab single piece safari rack.

[OFC Ranger]

I was going to go shorter (stop about where the front and rear doors meet), but hell - why not go for broke.

So connecting the bed to the cab with hard brackets is probably not a good idea with flex, even over time road vibrations and a pothole could spell doom for the system. So why not keep it simple. Goal one would be to have at minimum the side tubing be a single piece and save the welds for the front and rear. The simplest solution I can think of us is make sure the rack is wide enough to match the cabin roof channels as a hard contact point and simple install multiple rubber bushings. that in a nature state are pressing firmly, but still have some room to squish down or stretch up. I'm sure either a standard rubber would work, or if I dig enough I could fabricate a hole rubber + spring setup.

I mean we can go super simple: https://www.amazon.com/Fernco-P22U-139-Bushing-1-1-Black/dp/B000BQP2OM/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=2"+rubber+bushing&qid=1603492657&sr=8-4

Or go further down the rabbit hole and get into dampers, min-shocks, or other crazy ideas: https://www.amazon.com/Bansbach-Eas...1&keywords=mini+damper&qid=1603493368&sr=8-15

However I am no engineer. I need you to point out any flaws in this simplistic idea that are not obvious to myself.

Now this thread can't be complete without a crude MSPaint drawing now can it?

The over-all goal is mass-storage, but I want the ability to have a shooters platform for long range shooting where the shooter can lay out normally without any extra contorting.

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[dmeyer302]

The rubbers are ok, but if you end up needing more movement you could just make a pad for the frame to rest on out of UHMW or some other plastic. In this way it wouldn't truly be hard fastened but it would have vertical support.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

I would think it would be much easier to get a Rhino or Prinsu roof rack and then get a bed rack that is the same height.

No engineering required and you can take the bed rack off easily of you need to load something tall.

If you do want something that covers the bed and cab, maybe look into modifying a Ladder Rack by adding a solid platform to it.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I would think it would be much easier to get a Rhino or Prinsu roof rack and then get a bed rack that is the same height.

No engineering required and you can take the bed rack off easily of you need to load something tall.

If you do want something that covers the bed and cab, maybe look into modifying a Ladder Rack by adding a solid platform to it.

Yes it would be easier to just buy something pre-made, but the mark-up on those brands is sky high. Made from scratch I get exactly what I want for around 1/3 the price.

 

[HenryMac]

For attaching the rails to the bed mounted rack...

I remember some slide in campers back in the day had an inflated pillow between the camper section hanging over the cab, and the cab itself.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Hell I could probably do a whole suspension system for it and still come out cheaper than buying a comparable size system from a name brand. I'll still dip into name brand here and there, but generally when it gets a little more complicated than a giant steel square with steel slats or patio furniture grating. lol

 

[HenryMac]

Hell I could probably do a whole suspension system for it and still come out cheaper than buying a comparable size system from a name brand. I'll still dip into name brand here and there, but generally when it gets a little more complicated than a giant steel square with steel slats or patio furniture grating. lol

Be sure to document the build... and keep us in the loop.

Be careful to choose materials that ensure they won't corrode and leave rust streaks on the paint of the vehicle. I see a lot of home made racks that look great when they are new... but don't hold up to the test of time.

 

[ldr01rl]

Wait what are you trying to build?

 

[OFC Ranger]

Wait what are you trying to build?

Same thing you have, but more of a tray / platform for my cab height RCI rack.

Really depending on the gauge of steel, bushings of some sort may not even be needed.

 

[ldr01rl]

Oh, Gotcha. I have an expanded metal platform for additional gear or high perch for prone position. I would recommend you use a long van roof rack, eliminating some of the cross members and clamping rhino lined plywood above the cab, treated and painted 2x4's for the spacers on your bed rack. That should give you clearance for flex. Those racks are easy to cut and adapt to width also

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