Custom Canopy Build

[carpenter_jai]

Hey there,

I want to share how I made a canopy for my truck to best suit my desire to see out the back window and have plenty of covered storage. I built this out of 5/8" fir plywood select grade. The ribs are 2x2 spf lumber. The joints are glued and pin (brad) nailed. it probably weighs 50 lbs I'd guess. I used a "piano" hinge, which is getting a bit rusty.

Driving at speeds up to 120 km/h (I didn't test faster)there is no movement or wandering. The lid fits in place quite well. I am happy with the design and will stain it black most likely and seal it. I will attach strap tie downs and locking/latching mechanisms. (These only for security sake). I also would like to find long gas/air pistons so that the hatch can be opened without crawling into the bed. I will take some better pictures of the inside and post them.

Can someone suggest ideas for locking it up. I will be opening and closing the tailgate and canopy a lot, so I want to have a smart locking system.

Thanks for any advice,

Jai

http://img7.imageshack.us/i/p1010167u.jpg/

http://img833.imageshack.us/i/p1010212d.jpg/

http://img163.imageshack.us/i/p1010218d.jpg/



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[carpenter_jai]

[Blt2Lst]

Nice job..
Some lift supports would really make it custom.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...ord=hood+shock

[curtis73]

The best thing I can think of is a latch/lock just like a cap has. When you twist the handle, it extends two rods out to each side. Yours would have the rods tuck under something to prevent lifting instead of behind something to prevent pulling like a cap, but it should be pretty easy to design/install. I doubt they're cheap though.

Another idea would be to use two smaller versions of the same thing - instead of one central handle with rods, you have one on each side that just swings a tab behind the latch.