2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission bed shell roof rack

[Ahopper]

i was thinking of putting a roof rack on top of my shell to clear up some space in the bed. i was just getting some input in on it. i can build one thats not the problem i was just seeing if it has been done, and what it looks like. i would want to mount 2 or 4 lights on from and two in the rear and mabey the cb antenna also. all input is appriciated wether good or bad. thxOo.

 

[McCRam]

I'm thinking of putting one on as well. Are you going to build one or install an aftermarket type. I'm considering using the roof rack off my wrecked Grand cherokee. I don't see any problems with it, as long as the fiberglass is prepped properly and I do not get any leaks when I'm done.

 

[Regcabguy]

Thuren rack.

Thuren advertises his extreme duty rack on his site. It's strong enough to safely hold a spare. You would want to adapt some Thule or Yakima "feet" and tracks to spread out the load with a fiberglass shell though.

 

[SHovis]

I have a Wilderness basket type rack made by Garvin Industries. It's bomb proof and has many options that can be added to it for shovels, lights, canoes, bikes, spare tire, etc. They come in many different sizes and are very strong. Mine attaches to the topper with a 'track' on each side. Each track has stainless bolts spaced every ~8 inches to attached it. In the 4 years I've had mine I've never had a leak around the bolts.



Steve

 

[Ahopper]

well i started building my own. i will post picks later today hopefully. i built it 5. 5' long 4' wide. im now trying to figure how to mount it to the top of shell and distribute the wieght evenly across it at the same time. i didnt relize how heavy the tire was untill i mocked it up. how much wieght does anyone think will be ok up there? i can tenetivly stand on it. (im 220lbs).

 

[DennyDay]

I want to try it also, but I'm worried about the weight on the topper just being supported by the roof only, what would you think about running four braces (2 front - 2 rear) angled down to the bed rails, then fit them to go across the inside of the roof of the topper - - maybe use 2" channel and bolt the rack through the topper directly to the new ribs.



Just a thought!



Denny

 

[SHovis]

My roof rack weighs +/-100 pounds alone. It has 4 'feet' that support the weight and are attached to the topper with 'tracks' bolted to roof. I have hauled fuel cans, spare tires, boats, bikes, and miscellaneous stuff up there and never had the slightest strength issue with the topper or the rack. Additionally, I usually climb on top of the topper to load and tie down because the truck is too tall. In the almost four years I've been doing this there have been no stress cracks or other signs of abuse on the topper. It's a Covermaster brand.



So, I don't think you'll have too much trouble with weight as long as you have a good quality fiberglass topper. The weight of a spare tire would certainly not be a problem.



However, if you're still concerned, there are manufactures (Kargo Master?) that make racks that attach to the truck bed rails and then wrap around the outside of the topper, so no weight from the rack rests on the topper.



FWIW



Steve

 

[DWeiler]

My Raider topper is rated for 200LBS,but came with the optional roof rack supplied by the manufacturer. I wanted to do and did the same thing---mounted/bolted a Yakima warrior basket(3Ftx4FT) up on top of the rack with my spare(285/75/16) in it. The rack even had options for a spare tire mount and front and rear light mounting brackets. I purchase all the above. The rear of the rack has 2 Hella 55 Watt back up light and the front has 4/130 watt-8 inch Procomps for offroading. I wired them all on "Quick-Disconnect connections at the base of the cap for when /if i have to remove it. No problems yet and have had all good compliment from people so far. DW

 

[Allnew2Me]

I would keep the mounting points as far outside as possible to distribute the weight over the walls of the shell rather than the center which has a lot more flex. The best method would be to make your rack and then attach it to the shell, then make a frame for the inside of the shell that follows the shape of the interior and goes all the way down to the bed rails. Ideally the rack would bolt through the shell to this interior frame with the mounting points. This way the weight will be carried by the rails instead of the shell itself. My old Ford had a Brahma shell on it that was thin and flexible and I had the interior frame and would support a lot of weight that the shell alone would never have had a chance with. The nice thing about this is that it doesn't make the truck look like a work truck with a large external frame.

 

[DennyDay]

Allnew2Me - - Exactly what I had in mind

don't think the roof will carry all the weight w/ a spare tire in the rack



Denny

 

[Regcabguy]

Snugtop upgrade.

Allnew2Me - - Exactly what I had in mind

don't think the roof will carry all the weight w/ a spare tire in the rack



Denny

Snugtop offers a beefed up roof with much more material.

 

[Ahopper]

here is the finished product. works great. havnt seen any stress cracks yet and it has been on 2 huntin trips with bad roads. (my hilift mount bolts broke and gave the side of my truck some charecter#@$%!)#ad

 

[Ahopper]

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[McCRam]

Good job! Looks good. How well do the lights light up the road being set that far back. I think that I need to get started on mine. So many projects, so little time.

 

[ed9824v]

This is what I made and tomarrow it will be put on will carry the aluminum boat and 315x70x17 spare tire and the sides will hold two bikes. Didn't get around to the lights thats a nice touch. The outer supports are welded to a 3"by 6' steel plate each side supported at there places. n The rack was $50 and I had to widen it BUT the Dodge is not equal width from front to rear that took some planning.



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