M416 Lid/Top Design Build

[RAZORBACK]

Hey guys, I'm trying to finish off my M416 build with a nice top/lid to cover my gear. I've seen alot of pics of different tops but no detailed design. I basically am needing some help deciding on what type of frame to build and what to skin the top with. I'm decent at paint, bodywork, motor work, etc. but metal fabrication is not one of my strong points. Just needing some detailed design of a good tube structure. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Tumbleweed]

The pics in here might give you some ideas. I used 1x1x.095 tube for the top frame, and 3/4x3/4 for the rack. The skin is 16 ga. steel. Plan on some type of lift struts to assist with the weight. McMaster Carr sells lots of different ones, around $25 ea. I used the 150#, but could not get the vertical angle I wanted and still use the tailgate. It lifts easy, but will not hold itself upright.
Hinges are 4" butt hinges with 1" strap welded to one side for length. You will need to space them out to clear the top rail. I used 1x2 tubing for that.

http://tumblwd.smugmug.com/gallery/6324430_gy6xt#398794705_jaFb4

 

[RAZORBACK]

M416 lid/top

Thanks for the reply tumbleweed. Those pics give me some good ideas. Thinking about going with aluminum to save weight and using those kind of hinges you find on the teardrop trailers. Are those 35's on your trailer?

 

[Tumbleweed]

Those are 33x12.50's on the trailer, spare is a 7.00x16 old school rim.
The rubber flares on the fenders are off a CJ rear flare. Spare tire winch is off a 90something Dodge Ram pickup.
SOA is simply flip the axle, swap the sides for the ubolt plates so the shocks still work. Had to remount the ebrake cables and tweak them some to get them to work.