Hooks for a cover on a Brute bed?

[djb_rh]

Anyone done hooks in that recessed area near the top of the Brute bed for any kind of military style cover?

I'm thinking HARD about doing my own AEV style custom roof rack and then having a soft top made to go over it. Something very similar to a Pinzgauer top:

http://gallery.me.com/djbrh/100016/IMG_1719/web.jpg?ver=12452821350001

I don't really like the idea of bolting hooks to the outside of the bed, but I can't think of another good way to hold one down, either. I suppose I could do cross bars against the top of the bed on my rack and tie THERE instead of to the bed itself, but I'm thinking about options here...

Anyone done anything like this on a Brute?


--Donnie

[PaulC]

There was a white Brute for sale some time ago that had a canvas top which covered the very top of the bed rack. It looks like it used rope to secure it to the rack. That's the closest I've seen. What about using some kind of rail system on the top of the bed, like the old YJ's used to hold the sides of the soft top down?

Paul

[djb_rh]

Yeah, in thinking about it some more I think the way to do it would be to integrate an "angle" piece in the rack that sits on top of the bed and bends down the outside of the bed just to where the depression ring around the bed starts. Then put the hooks on THAT. So the only holes I'm putting in the bed itself will be in the flat part on top of the bed to bolt the rack down.

Now the interesting part to me is how I'd do a piece on the "front" of the bed (against the cab) and be able to get it tied down with that limited gap between the two. Would be nice if I could put a sliding back glass in the Brute hardtop. But I don't see *that* happening, either.


--Donnie

[Mach1cal]

I'm preparing to have AEV do a Brute conversion for me. I intend to do exactly the same thing that you have suggested regarding the sport rack and custom cover. I also want hook tie downs. My solution is to build the hooks into the sport rack rather than the Brute bed. I actually asked AEV if they would consider adding an extra frame rail along the length of the bed and drop a metal channel down to the desired height for hooks then weld them on. I hope my explanation makes sense. By the way, they said they would probably be able to do it. I'm sure you can a good welder to do it for you if you don't have the capability.

[JeepinJon]

I kind of like the tie downs on the exterior of the bed of the protype Brute beds. I think something like that would work well, and tie into the theme you are looking to do. I included the best picture I have seen of them so far.

http://www.aev-conversions.com/gallery/albums/AEV_Brute/P1010083A.jpg

[imajeepnut]

Donnie...I'm studying the same thing. I remember the pieces that were on the original red Brute. I need to be able to cover my load quickly and keep it secure from flapping. Here are a couple of ideas...

1. Use marine/dock style cleats down the side of the bed...the smaller cleats of course, and maybe use nut-serts or something similiar.

2. I've seen the track systems that have tie-down circles...they fold flat when not in use, and are spring loaded. Pull up and twist and they remain extended and they can be moved around. Fabbing them in to the side might be difficult, but it could be a clean look if done right.

If I use AEV's rack, I'll probably incorporate some sort of bottom rail that runs along the top of the bed...and afix my ties to that...and leave the bed sides alone.

I'm surprised we haven't seen some tie downs on some of the finished brutes to date. I also wonder how many are being used as a "truck".

[djb_rh]

Somehow I missed the pictures of the prototype. It really doesn't look bad.

It occurs to me that solving the problem of the sides and front with a piece of angle attached to the rack is fine, but doesn't help with the tailgate. And there's still no solution to the problem of how to actually attach something to any kind of hooks along the front edge of the bed. There's the small issue of the cab being in the way. Hmmph.

I suppose it wouldn't be that hard to make the top such that you can get it attached along the front side before you drape it over the top of the rack and then you bring it up and over the rack and attach the rest. But that means you have to remove the entire thing to get in between for cleaning. Trying to make that a zip-out panel probably won't work terribly well since there would be tension on it, especially since I want to put a roof rack on top of mine, which means it'll be bolted through the soft top. Ugh.

And if you have to put hooks on the tailgate, you almost might as well do them all the way around directly on the bed.


--Donnie

[imajeepnut]

It would be nice to see some sort of hook on the bed ready to paint...like what was on the little Ford Courier...those hooks were tough. I think the Chevy Luv had similar hooks and they worked great as well. They will get worn however, and that brings up a whole 'nother set of issues.

[Rus]

Hooks like these could be welded on.

Bars attached to the rack would probably be my choice though. There could be a removable bar that goes across the top of the tailgate.

[imajeepnut]

I can't remember the Japanese group that did that conversion, but I do remember the pictures. I think that was in Japan...? Something like that would be great...as long as there is a plan in place to "replace" a hook if it came off. Looks like it might be tough to attach something painted to the bed and actually "use it" without issues down the road.

[barrickj]

Take a look at this website...many sizes to choose from so I bet one can be made to work... http://www.can-back.com/