Toyota Tacoma Expedition Rack Idea

[Procomptaco93]

Hey there! Just joined up with this forum as i am on toyota world and have heard so much about you guys!

So here is my deal, i drive a toyota tacoma double cab short bed, 6in lift but it is 2wd with a locker. I do not plan on doing any crazy trips, but its great for hauling around my dirt bike, and having some fun! I have seen expedition racks for tacoma's before, but never a solution that still would allow me to have my bike IN the bed. I camp a lot when i ride, do id like the rack to hold a jerry can or two, a shovel, some sort of container for dry storage, high lift, and a 5 gallon water jug. Anyone here have any ideas or seen anything similar? i usually throw a tarp over my bed and sleep in there, so i wold be looking for it to allow room for me at night. Id be looking to make something myself with a good buddy of mine. Would it be dumb to have half my bed gone, or would it look bad?

thanks in advance!

 

[SWITAWI]

Maybe something along these lines - http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...4runner-tacoma-or-truck?p=1202467#post1202467 but with a crossbar right behind the cab, no crossbar in the middle, and then a hinged or pinned crossbar at the rear shaped to go over the seat? Better yet have removable crossbars, bolt-on or pinned, at the middle and the rear so you can open it up for the bike. Then you could have a straight utility set and a shaped set for the bike. I'm thinking the shaped bar going over the seat of the bike could padded rollbar-style and help hold the bike upright while you tie it down. You could even have a padded u-shaped bar towards the front to 'capture' the forks as well.

 

[Procomptaco93]

Maybe something along these lines - http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...4runner-tacoma-or-truck?p=1202467#post1202467 but with a crossbar right behind the cab, no crossbar in the middle, and then a hinged or pinned crossbar at the rear shaped to go over the seat? Better yet have removable crossbars, bolt-on or pinned, at the middle and the rear so you can open it up for the bike. Then you could have a straight utility set and a shaped set for the bike. I'm thinking the shaped bar going over the seat of the bike could padded rollbar-style and help hold the bike upright while you tie it down. You could even have a padded u-shaped bar towards the front to 'capture' the forks as well.

Have not even though about a hinged system for the crossbars! i like it, but my only questions i have about an option like that is A. how to have tubing hinge but have it look good? B. will i need to use rubber gaskets where the pin or latch will hold the bar down? C. how can i secure this safely so that when it is flipped over it will not pull it out or bend it? secure to the bed bolts? I love the idea though, i think i may try to sketch something up!

 

[SWITAWI]

I've re-thought this a little and the idea of hinged crossbars or bars with quick-release pins is filling my head with an insane amount of potential for rattling, and I've always believed that if something can rattle it will evetually come loose. The solution is a simple one, but I can't do the whole picture thing from my tablet right now and my laptop was left at the office. When I get in there I'll dig it up and post it...

 

[SWITAWI]

Here it is. The 3-bolt clamp that ARB uses to connect their side protection bars to the brush guard on the bumpers. IMHO this is exactly the way to have your top crossbars removable without having anything loose and rattling. Plus you could swap out straight bars with your 'bike bars' in a few minutes with hand tools. I just don't know where to find something like this. Maybe a fencing company? Maybe a manufacturer of bolt-together roll cages? I don't know if ARB would sell those parts individually or what the cost might be.

 

[musty40]

I purchased a set of those clamps while in Australia at an ARB store. Couldn't hurt to give ARB in Seattle a call.