Spikepretorius
Explorer
It's so nice seeing cute brats having fun camping outdoors. That's memories that will be with them forever. :luxhello:
Starting Over... Taco Style!
- Thread starter viatierra
- Start date
unk03: 
articulate
Expedition Leader
I'm friggin' dying to see this rack.
LexusAllTerrain
Expedition Leader
The truck is looking very nice!
Oh! and do not forget to return your mexico permit!:Astrologist:
Oh! and do not forget to return your mexico permit!:Astrologist:
viatierra
Explorer
eurorom said:
It's just the gooey residue, but it gives me warm fuzzy feeling when I see it. I just don't feel like scraping it off yet!
I picked up the truck today. Platform is done and tent mounted! I am totally pleased with the final product. I'll take pictures tomorrow during an initial trail test. Of course its raining so we'll see how that goes.
viatierra
Explorer
About the design... in one of my earlier posts I drafted an earlier concept that was very simple. I wanted to have a few curves instead of a box so it would match the style of new Tacoma's. My fabricator, John Hunter did that and more! I stole several ideas from others on the board. The basic idea of mounting a Maggiolina like this came from DesertDude's Tacoma.
Then TacoDoc's platform got me thinking about adding a front piece to create a place for lights and anteneas.
Flyingwil's older rack incorporated removable crossbars for easy tent removal and increased utility of the truck bed.
To make that feature even cleaner, Hunter used these babies. Haven't tried them out yet, but they are pretty trick. They fit together like puzzle pieces and secure with 2 allen bolts.
All the the angles match various lines in the truck. Little aluminum blocks were milled and threaded to fit in the stock tie-down rail for mounting. The tie-downs are still usable and adjustable.
For additional rigidity, gussets were added that can function as additional tie-downs. All in all, I think it looks great and is uber-functional!
The Tacoma is pretty tall now, but the rack and tent only weight around 200 lbs. Any changes in performance while rock crawling, highway acceleration and street cornering are barely detectable. :ylsmoke:
Then TacoDoc's platform got me thinking about adding a front piece to create a place for lights and anteneas.
Flyingwil's older rack incorporated removable crossbars for easy tent removal and increased utility of the truck bed.
To make that feature even cleaner, Hunter used these babies. Haven't tried them out yet, but they are pretty trick. They fit together like puzzle pieces and secure with 2 allen bolts.
All the the angles match various lines in the truck. Little aluminum blocks were milled and threaded to fit in the stock tie-down rail for mounting. The tie-downs are still usable and adjustable.
For additional rigidity, gussets were added that can function as additional tie-downs. All in all, I think it looks great and is uber-functional!
The Tacoma is pretty tall now, but the rack and tent only weight around 200 lbs. Any changes in performance while rock crawling, highway acceleration and street cornering are barely detectable. :ylsmoke:
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jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
SWEET, glad it is done.
No more ground dwelling for you. Will you keep the tent attached, or take it off until needed? What kind of hit are you getting on gas mileage?
And finally, What is the intended use for the space just in front of the tent over the cab?
No more ground dwelling for you. Will you keep the tent attached, or take it off until needed? What kind of hit are you getting on gas mileage?
And finally, What is the intended use for the space just in front of the tent over the cab?
viatierra
Explorer
jeffryscott said:
My intention is to keep it attached. I don't drive the truck during the week so the milage drain will only effect trips. The space up front has 6 tabs - 4 lights, CB & 2m anteneas. The hoops are to protect the future lights from trees or whatever. I also needed a few more inches for flipping the latches to the tent's clamshell.
Jacket
2008 Expedition Trophy Champion
I'm really diggin that rack. Very nice design.
I'm curious - what was your decision criteria to go with an open bed with that rack versus a fiberglass topper with a rack on top? It's something I struggle with quite a bit in my long term vision of my truck. For now, I haul a trail bike in my bed so it has to stay open (which is why I have the convertible Bestop).
I'm curious - what was your decision criteria to go with an open bed with that rack versus a fiberglass topper with a rack on top? It's something I struggle with quite a bit in my long term vision of my truck. For now, I haul a trail bike in my bed so it has to stay open (which is why I have the convertible Bestop).