The ZR2 SPEC-R3

[OFC Ranger]

I'd be interested in seeing a mock-up of this idea. How much clearance between the roof rack & the overlay?

Imagine a bed rack that extends all the way to about the middle of the driver side windows and "hugs" around the roof rack. In a nut shell the roof rack will float around inside the free floated bed rack. The two roof rack cases will still be accessed from directly above.

Based on my original racks 50" wide design I know this will work clearance wise.

I am going to try this for a more stream-lined look and if I build a sliding rail cargo system on top like I've been wanting to do I can still store items above the roof rack boxes, but then shift them as needed.

The only direct additional raw material I will be using are 2" steel risers to go between the bed rack and the over the cab platform to get the required clearance for the front panel to float over the roof rack.

Best I can offer you at moment;

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[9zero1790]

Anyone think there is a buyer out there for a full set of F/B factory Ranger shocks with only about 12k miles on them or should I junk them?

Hell I still have a set of factory running boards too. lol

I need to do some cleaning out in the garage.

someone might buy them. cant hurt to try

 

[OFC Ranger]

Hell I forgot I still have a set of factory front springs too.

I need to somehow find a way to integrate these factory shocks and springs into my roof rack!

lol jk

 

[Rhino]

Hell I forgot I still have a set of factory front springs too.

I need to somehow find a way to integrate these factory shocks and springs into my roof rack!

lol jk

i mean why not right lol

 

[LaBalbe]

Hell I forgot I still have a set of factory front springs too.

I need to somehow find a way to integrate these factory shocks and springs into my roof rack!

lol jk

Just for the sheer hell of it, I'd LOVE to see what you'd come up with to do just that.

 

[9zero1790]

the shocks that came off mine would have made a paper weight at best. springs could be useful! maybe rig up some sort of suspension for heavy items to reduce the weight jerking the truck around.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Anyone remember moon shoes? Hmm...

 

[OFC Ranger]

So here is the rough idea. Using some scrap I confirmed the dimensions should work. As you can see from my masterful photoshop mspaint skills in the secnd photo:

The color portion will have the top duraslat grating. The portion over the roof rack will be open, because the cases will be accessed still from the top. I already have a plan to stabalize the front bounce by connecting (out of view) a set of heavy duty gas struts that can articulate to account for flex in any direction between the bed and cab, but should prevent passive bouncing for non off road conditions.

Long term as mentioned I have an idea for a sliding cargo system for the full length.

^ the front span on this is inaccurate, I will be using a shorter piece that is only about 4" tall that will float over the roof rack to connect the sides, nothing is going to pass through the rack.

 

[imapseudonym]

How did you secure those Plano Boxes?

I want to steal your idea for our setup. I like it and it looks like it provides a lot of storage!

 

[OFC Ranger]

How did you secure those Plano Boxes?

I want to steal your idea for our setup. I like it and it looks like it provides a lot of storage!

Drill holes for t-slot nuts.

 

[imapseudonym]

Drill holes for t-slot nuts.

easy enough. Thank you!

 

[OFC Ranger]

So big updates coming. The extruded aluminum design was not working how I wanted it to, so I am going back to what I know and does work - steel components with some extruded aluminum sprinkled though-out. I am also addressing some minor design annoyances from when when I had this setup on the Ranger.

#puzzlepieces

 

[OFC Ranger]

Chugging along with the Ranger doppelganger

 

[OFC Ranger]

Done for the evening.

So the design does hard mount the side panels for rigid construction. From the rear of the cab back, I can shake the truck back and forth, from the cab forward I can do that to, however, enough flex is designed in where the front half portion can contort & twist to deal with flex between the front and back on extremely offset ground should the need arise. The 55lb gas struts allow forward and backward moment for direct up and down flex and the ball joints allow rotational movement for side to side flex. The third reason for the struts is to prevent bouncing for normal road use since the whole thing is cantilever from the rear of the cab all the way forward.

Cliff Notes: On road and light off road is very rigid, but on more severe uneven landscape has the ability to flex even though the roof rack is connected at hard points + gas struts with the roof platform. I'll try and get some video tomorrow demonstrating.

 

[FusedLogic]

Just waiting for the day GM comes knocking on your door. You're probably the first to mod the next-gen Colorado to this extent. Who knows, they might pay you as a consultant!

You should have a YouTube channel recording each modification you make.

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