Davy's DIY canopy

[Dalux]

hey guys,

i descided to build my own canopy,
i just want something simpel, a alu frame, with "een rooster"(can't come up the english word) and canvas.
but i want to make it with a light and easy to cut, like isomo, to see how it will like like, what do you think about that?
maybe, we are going to make it with alu tough, instead of canvas, so it's going too like like a defender pick up canopy

[OOOOMS]

Here is a pic of nine as an example. Frame and side all in alu. 2mm for the doors and 3mm on the roof. The front doors I use a kirchen (left side) recovery equipment on the other side. Back doors are for access only.

[Bushwacker]

Looks Great Mark put some more pics please. How much did it cost you in materials, labour and so on?

[OOOOMS]

This one cost me R13000 by a supplier, the previous one cost me about R4000 in total(DIY), but the running around and little time at the end of the day, was easier for me.

[SAthing]

I’m also thinking of building an aluminium canopy. I have read the other posts about DIY canopies and is unsure about the angle (taper towards to roof) of the canopy. I have a 2006 double cab which is much rounder in appearance than earlier models and it is therefore more difficult to estimate the slant of the sides of the canopy.

Has anyone have an idea what angle to use for the slant of the sides of the canopy for the later hilux models?

[OOOOMS]

Hi, I have measured in cm and not degrees.

From the outside loadbin to the top of the canopy inwards is 16cm.

Hope that helps.

[Scooter]

Hi, I have measured in cm and not degrees.

From the outside loadbin to the top of the canopy inwards is 16cm.

Hope that helps.

That would give you an inner angle of around 68.5°

CANOPY ANGLE.jpg (12.04 KiB) Viewed 8328 times

[SAthing]

Dankie vir die somme hierbo, dit bevestig my eie benaderde metings. Ek het uitgekom op tussen 67 en 70 grade.

[Dalux]

hey guys, i'm still am not beginning on the canopy, i am working now and have a lot less time on my hands,
i have a question, i have a ladder rack, i want to leave it where it is, can i build a canopy with the ladder rack in mind?
here are some pics:



and also, do i really need a back window? can't i just make a canopy for commercial use, with only sheet metal?
and what can i use for the back door to lock it? so i think it would be a hardtop like a defender pick up has, without windows.

kind regards, davy

[Mud Dog]

I still prefer the idea of windows so that you can see through .... especially usefull when you are reversing with longer lengths of materials on the rack. And yes of course there's no reason why you cannot build a canopy that incorporates a ladder rack. Just one word of afdvice, make it stronger than just to carry ladders, because there will be times that you will want to carry heavier things up there. On my previous bakkie, I had a ladder rack on top of the glass-fibre canopy, but with support struts internally mounted. If you look at my work truck in the signature pics below, this vehicle has an external frame supporting the rack which has on numerous occasions been loaded with a half ton or more without any problems. Even with the extrnal supports, it is however secured to the canopy itself for more stability. I used 32mm round tubing with a 2mm wall thickness but the bed is strengthened by the side rails and the braces in the design of the side rails.

It's all entirely possible, and not difficult to make yourself.

[Mud Dog]

Here is a bigger picture. The supports are mounted to a seperate 'step' that is bolted to the side of the load-body .... also very useful for when loading and unloading the rack. It gives a place to stand without scratching the paintwork to pieces.

[Dalux]

yeah i prefer without windows because i need to load all of my photograph material and snowboards, and all other expensive stuff, and i want it so that outstanders can't see that all of that is in there, so it's safer, if i need to park somewhere, also i will need good locks, and tha canopy will not be used every day. we will see, first need to work a bit harder to pay the bills i think :) and also to make the car eco friendly, (and also money friendly) :-p

[Mountain Man]

You could alway get one of thoes carry frames and close it in like I did. Hellva strong

Bare frame before being closed in

4X4 (22)a.jpg (41.77 KiB) Viewed 8222 times

Frame closed in with 3mm aluminium tread plate

P4275120a.jpg (43.36 KiB) Viewed 8222 times

051a.jpg (40 KiB) Viewed 8222 times

I wanted a canopy with no windows for security reasons. I find with the double cab the lack of windows is not a problem because I can look out of the rear passenger windows as well. I also wanted to be able to carry long heavy objects on occasion like pipes. So this frame that was modified to be a canopy as well worked for me. It is not meant to be a poor mans subsitute for a ARB or Alu Cab canopy but rather a functional piece of equipment which I don't mind bolting things onto and modifying where needed. Something that can take the punishment without me cringing. If I did it agai I would use thinner aluminium. The 3mm is so strong but it is overkill.

[Mud Dog]

You can of course make then seperate of each other so that they can be removed or added individually as you choose. My personal experience with that, is that after a while one get's lazy and they are just left in place, and only removed if the need arises to take it off.

[OOOOMS]

Hi, here are the pic's you requestd. let me know if it is sufficient.

Regards

[Dalux]

ok thx, getting wiser here every day :)

[OOOOMS]

The 3mm is so strong but it is overkill

Agreed!

1.6mm is sufficient for the sides, provided there is a relativele sturdy frame like 10mm alu. square tubing.
For the roof I used 3mm just for extra strengh, for the RTT or roof rack.

Regards

[Dalux]

The 3mm is so strong but it is overkill

Agreed!

1.6mm is sufficient for the sides, provided there is a relativele sturdy frame like 10mm alu. square tubing.
For the roof I used 3mm just for extra strengh, for the RTT or roof rack.

Regards

hey mark, can you tell me what you used for the windows? and what kind of locking system it is for the rear door?
and if you have a picture of the lock of the door :-)

davy

[Whisky]

Hello OOOOMS (Mark),

So 'n paar vrae in verband met jou kappie. Is een gas stut voldoende vir die deur naaste aan die voertuig kajuit? Watter tipe rubber het jy tussen die kappie en die laaibak? Ek sien jy het deur rubbers gebruik by jou deure om dit stofdig te maak, het jy net plat alum daar vasgepop of het jy angle alum gebruik om die rubbers aan vas te maak?

Waar kry jy die deur knippe?

Dankie,

[OOOOMS]

can you tell me what you used for the windows? and what kind of locking system it is for the rear door?
and if you have a picture of the lock of the door :-)

Davy, if I understand you correctly you want to know, the type of material? Shatterproof glass. In my opinion there is no need to have a slide window, as nt even a small kid can climb through, it is so small. So just a clear glass window in my opinion si sufficient, and cheap.
For the rear door just a turn handle type locking system very basic. One on either side Pic attached:

[Dalux]

ok thk you very much! if i get some time and money on my hands i will get started.

[Family_Dog]

Niel, I think Davy's original thread has been somewhat hijacked. As Davy is from Belgium, he might be able to understand a bit of what is being said, but also might not.

Split the topic?


-F_D

[Niel]

Eric, agreed and I split it and you can view the rest at viewtopic.php?f=41&t=9046&p=96821#p96821

[Dalux]

hello, can someone post me a picture of you're hilux withe the DIY canopy.
at the same angle of the picture of my hilux, then i can see how the hardtop will look like on my hilux.
i will photoshop it at my work then. :)




kind regards, davy

[OOOOMS]

.

[chopper]

Wynand,
Hoe ver het jy gevorder met die bou van jou canopy?
Thanx

[chopper]

Mark,
Info on the supplier of your canopy please
Thanx

[OOOOMS]

Abbacus CT - Cameron 083 20672 five seven

[chopper]

Thanx Mark!

[SAthing]

Hi Thinus, hier is 'n pic van my kappie. Ek gaan volgende week die kassies inbou en gas lifters monteer en dan sal ek die dak vas plak. Die bou van die kappie was 'n groter oefening as wat ek oorspronklik gedink het.

[chopper]

Wynand,
Thanx, as ek na die foto kyk, kan ek verstaan hoekom dit 'n groter oefening was - dis impressive!
Enige man kan trots wees op so 'n dakkie - my kop is klaar vas daarop! Die vraag is net hoe?

[Dalux]

hey guys, i did some photoshopping yesterday to look how the canopy would look like when it was on my bakkie.
only difference will be that on my kappie will not be cases on the side so it will be solid.
i'm a beginner with photoshop and do not have the pro version on my laptop at home, as like i have it on my laptop at work.
so have a look and all of the comments are welcome :)

kind regards from belgium

[OOOOMS]

Eh that's my canopy......patented

Just kidding Davey, looks cool

[hheunis]

Hi

I'm helping my dad to build an aluminium canopy (still in the planning stages) and we want to try and make one without a frame (give the canopy rounded edges on top) by welding thicker tread plate. I have a few questions:
- The back window of a 05- Hilux is not flush with the load bay, how would one get past this problem?
- How do you attach the canopy to the load bay?
- Is the route we are following going to be too difficult to implement (most people just use frames)?

Thanks for the help

[Dalux]

great idee tough, i was planning my own canopy but don't have the time anymore, so i'm going to buy a solid sided hardtop, and when i have the time and money to build my own canopy, it will be done! :)