- Thread starter
- #1
Picked up a '24 Tacoma a few months back and have really enjoying it in most cases minus the bed size. It's an awesome truck but having a dog kennel and smaller cooler in the bed leaves little to no room for much else. Searched online for bed rack options from unfinished cross bars to overland kits but nothing really fit my needs. It'll be my sons truck next year when 16 and figured a little project would be good for him as well.
The design idea was to elevate a 35qt yeti off the floor of the bed along with a storage rack above the kennel to replace the lost footage using two cross bars above the bed rails. Wanted the rack low enough to access but clear the kennel (medium Gunner). This will allow sliding cases or bags under the cooler using the full bed length.
Contemplated 1-1/2 or 2" pipe but found 1-3/4"(od) was a good fit. Started off having a local shop bend two pieces of pipe for the cross members at same angle as truck cab (75deg). A little mock up and measuring had to be figured with overall length and height. I wanted to utilize the bed "T-track" system so it could be removed and slid front to back without issue. I cut (4) 4" pieces of angle iron for the T-track brackets which would allow the rack to clear the bed rails once mounted. Rounded the outer edges of the brackets for a cleaner look. Mocked it all up and tacked it all in place.
Next was building the cooler basket and storage rack. I've built a few similar racks over the years using 1/2" square tubing and 5" rings cut in fours for the radius corners with good luck. It's a little labor intensive smoothing out the joints but can look as good or better than using a tubing bender that I don't have. Figured out a way to add a piece of 1" flat bent at the correct angle for a round lock that makes it very difficult to steal the cooler. I've had a similar set up going on 10yrs and it hasn't been hacked.
Once the racks were completed and laid out, I added four 3/8 pipe (gas nipples) crossed drilled through the two bars for mounting the racks. Needing to thru bolt the racks without crushing the bars or weakening the pipe since its thin wall. Little more sanding and cleaning and off to powder coating. I was somewhat motivated to finish since my son and I had a road trip planned and could possible use it for ski trip. Ended up by luck our ski racks fit the diameter of the cross bars.
So far it's been a great addition to the truck and should be enjoyed for many years to come. Thanks for following.
Sponsored
Last edited:
, looks good! welds aren't half bad either 
, I'm a 14 year redseal welder/fabricator/welding supervisor
