Brewtus' Canopy and Roof Rack Build

[Brewtus]

After about a months worth of searching Craigslist several times a day, I finally found a canopy to fit my truck. And I can now start my Roof Rack and Drawer System/Sleeping Platform build.

It's a GemTop Outfitter and as it happens, it was actually made to fit my truck, Score! It's actually made of steel rather than aluminum, so it's a bit on the heavy side, but it's very strong.

I removed the "Rack" that was bolted on via the sheet-metal only with 1/4" bolts through 1/2" holes. Sometimes I lose faith in humanity for the smallest things.

Next, I worked to remove the rust with this little beauty:

As of right now, it sits masked and partially primed. Will be working on it again tonight and will update as the project progresses.
Next big question will be how to attach the roof rack. Perhaps I'll put together a few sketches and get y'all's opinion as such.

 

[Brewtus]

Update:

2-3 Coats of Rustoleum Auto Primer:

And 1-2 Coats of Rustoleum Gloss Black:

Now I need to get the back door painted and installed.

 

[mkitchen]

Very Nice

So that explains the side shot only. Actually, I am very impressed with your work and it looks great. How tall are you planning on making the drawer system and will you be able to sit up in the shell once it is done? Are you planning on having drawers the full length of the bed or shorter with top loading space behind? There are so many options when you build yourself and it looks like you have a great start.

I have side doors on my shell and would never have a shell without them now. I also built boxes the width of the fender wells that access from the top. These have three different compartments with specific purposes and the spare is in the left front corner. It works great. I am anxious to see how you decide to build yours. Best of luck and know that there are a lot of really great ideas within this forum for such a project.
Mikey

 

[Brewtus]

So that explains the side shot only. Actually, I am very impressed with your work and it looks great. How tall are you planning on making the drawer system and will you be able to sit up in the shell once it is done? Are you planning on having drawers the full length of the bed or shorter with top loading space behind? There are so many options when you build yourself and it looks like you have a great start.

I have side doors on my shell and would never have a shell without them now. I also built boxes the width of the fender wells that access from the top. These have three different compartments with specific purposes and the spare is in the left front corner. It works great. I am anxious to see how you decide to build yours. Best of luck and know that there are a lot of really great ideas within this forum for such a project.
Mikey

Thank you good sir. I've definitely poured through most of the platform/drawer system builds. Unfortunately only very few are for pickups.

As of right now, I'm going to try to keep the top of the platform just below the wheel wells, so that I can sit up inside. I'm not vertically gifted, but I don't think I could quite sit up if it was above the wheel well level. Drawers will go from the front of the wheel well to the tailgate. In front of that, I plan on putting in a 30ish gallon fuel cell below the sleeping platform.

On the sides I plan on doing something very similar to what you describe. A vertical divider, full height and full length of bed just inside each wheel well. Above the bedrail, access to this space will be from the outside doors; Drivers side will be recovery gear, first aid, tools etc.; Passenger side will be the kitchen setup, essentially a built in chuck box. Below the bedrail will be accessed from inside for personal storage, clothes etc.