truck bed cargo cage

[dasbrick]

has anyone ever made anything like this? I want to be able to mount my spares and jerry cans on the side of it, and leave the cargo area open incase I need to run to lowes or something on the way home from wheeling. versatility I say! Any recommendations on material to use to keep cost down, being that it is only holding a spare tire or two, some jerry cans, maybe trail tools like an ax or shovel. don't know if I want it for structural yet. I'd like to be able to still take it off and put a topper on, or make a canvas topper for it.

 

[1990 Pioneer 4x4]

That would look cool, especially with a canvas topper.

[dasbrick]

It would look something like this:

 

[btm24]

thats kinda cool

 

Brandon

[Automan2164]

Something that I have long thought about is this. My suggestion, would be to find a longbed MJ topper in the aluminum variety, and skin it. You will be left with just the structural braces inside, and build off that. Cheap, easy, and strong.

 

Rob L.

[Pete M]

I hate to say it, but you should be able to build that outta pipe. it'll be strong enough to take the dynamic forces of a few hundred pounds of gear. be careful of how you attach it to the MJ though, as those flanges that pipes screw into tend to be brittle (they are just cast).

[dasbrick]

I have an aluminum topper, and was hoping to be able to swap it out, unless i can make the canvas top. the mounts for the tires, and cans would be removable to allow the canvas. but either way. I might have to take a trip to lowes then. :)

[jpnjim]

I've posted this before, but I built a type of cage/rack in my old MJ (tho the cage & rack were separate):

 

There was a space on the rack for a big cooler, two 35" spares (standing up), gas & water cans, air tanks, and two 'missile cases' at the tailgate (one filled with fluids, the other spares):

 

The big tool box at front could carry whatever tools, parts & supplies didn't fit in the missile cases (even brought a spare BA 10-5 with me once :nuts: ).

 

When wheeling, I'd leave the 2nd spare tire back at base camp (chained to a tree if I was worried about it),

put the tire up on the cage (along with the high lift), so the only thing blocking my rearward view was the big cooler (that was directly behind me, and not really in the way).

[jpnjim]

The 'cage' was made ghetto-fabbed out of a YJ & CJ factory bar, cut down, pieced together in the middle with similar sized tubing (forget what size now).

I do remember ghetto-stick welding it with my old buzz box in the rain :ack: (actually thunder & lightning the night before a trail run :doh: ).

Just flat plated & bolted to the bed floor (= minimal actual protection)

 

The tire was held onto the cage with 2 spare (rear axle) U-bolts (fine thread 1/2" U-bolts are the same thread as 1/2" lug nuts), and the high lift was dropped into a metal sleeve, also bolted to the cage with axle U-bolts. (who says you can't re-use them ;) ).

 

I originally intended to make a canvas cover for it, but never got around to it.

[dasbrick]

want to sell it? :brows: :brows: :brows:

[1990 Pioneer 4x4]

It would look something like this:

 

 

 

I wouldn't want 10 gallons of fuel right behind the drivers side back window. :eek:

[btm24]

It would look something like this:

 

 

 

I wouldn't want 10 gallons of fuel right behind the drivers side back window. :eek:

:agree: :yes:

 

Brandon

[dasbrick]

jerry cans, water cans, something cans. I got 4 jerrys, 3 water, and 1 kerosene can. i used them as an idea of how I want the cans stored on the side.

[jpnjim]

want to sell it? :brows: :brows: :brows:

 

I don't know if that was directed at me,

but that MJ died, so that others could live. :(

 

[dasbrick]

i was just referring to the rack itself. ;)

[jpnjim]

i was just referring to the rack itself. ;)

 

It's a soup can on someone's shelf in China by now. :dunno:

 

I had access to a big metal brake and all the steel I wanted back when I tossed it.

(I don't anymore :doh: )

[dasbrick]

Whats everyone think about PVC pipe? It has a variety of joints in 22, 45, 60 and 90 degree bends, t joints, cross joints. Maybe a solid core PVC tube, maybe 1" or 1.5"? Would that be strong enough for this?

[Pete M]

prob not. I'm not sure I'd even trust conduit (though maybe if the design was really well thought out). there's a lot of force involved with a spare tire and 10 gallons of fluid when you hit the brakes or a bump.