Ranger ARE DCU topper mods

[Wytchdctr]

Looks much better with the paint.

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[Heavy Duty]

Looks awesome...is it always sunny and warm where you are? I'm guessing you don't camp inside this? That's one heck of a solar oven...??

I'm in northern Illinois, no not always sunny. I painted the sides but the top between the rails that go lengthwise is still white. I do camp in it, I camp out of it maybe 10 nights a year. Most of that is in northern minnesota in the dead of winter reaching -40 degrees for a low without supplemental heat.

 

[Heavy Duty]

What kind of "internal structure" did you add to support the 80/20 bars? I really like your setup. I picked up an ARE commercial cap for a 2010 Colorado on FB Marketplace for a good price. It fits well with a little modification at the back door/tailgate seam. Did you remove the antenna for the air dam?

I TIG welded in a frame to hold the weight where the 80/20 bolts through the topper. All the load from the roof bars go straight to the bed rails. The aluminum tubing is 1" square .09" wall. It doesnt look like much other than added tubing where it needs to be.

I just run a stubby antenna, still works well.

 

[Msfitoy]

I'm in northern Illinois, no not always sunny. I painted the sides but the top between the rails that go lengthwise is still white. I do camp in it, I camp out of it maybe 10 nights a year. Most of that is in northern minnesota in the dead of winter reaching -40 degrees for a low without supplemental heat.

That's great set up for quick access bed camping...

 

[danjolee]

I TIG welded in a frame to hold the weight where the 80/20 bolts through the topper. All the load from the roof bars go straight to the bed rails. The aluminum tubing is 1" square .09" wall. It doesnt look like much other than added tubing where it needs to be.

I just run a stubby antenna, still works well.

Thanks! I thought I would just bolt the 80/20 through the existing aluminum tubing of the cap. Probably need to do some research on how much the existing frame will hold. The aluminum contractor rails which bolt onto the sides will hold 200-300lbs but they aren't adjustable and more expensive.

 

[danjolee]

I TIG welded in a frame to hold the weight where the 80/20 bolts through the topper. All the load from the roof bars go straight to the bed rails. The aluminum tubing is 1" square .09" wall. It doesnt look like much other than added tubing where it needs to be.

I just run a stubby antenna, still works well.

What kind of fasteners did you use to attach the rails to the topper?

 

[Heavy Duty]

What kind of fasteners did you use to attach the rails to the topper?

I used 5/16-18 stainless bolts. 4 in each corner.

 

[ouroboros87]

Would love to see some more detailed photos of how the rails are attached and the supporting frame you added to the inside. I don’t have any welding ability so I’d need to find an alternative option.

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