Ceiling mounted gun rack for SUV.

bustedknee

I've been wanting an overhead gun rack for my Toyota 4Runner but there seems to be only a couple companies offering them and their prices are rather high.  So I designed and built my own.  I am thrilled with it so far and may build a couple more for my car trunks.  I was going to post this on a T4R forum but apparently I don't have enough posts to qualify.  It may be more useful to some of the folks on this forum.  As designed there is enough adjustment in lengths that it should fit many vehicles.  The physical lengths may be altered for wider or narrower SUV's.

T4R DIY Clothes Hooks Gun Rack    Required parts:

2 pieces, 1 1/4" X 3/16" X 5" low carbon steel bar.  Local Hardware store, $13.00 for 1 foot.

2 pieces, 1" X 1" X 6" square stock (wall thickness is 1/8") $8.04 for 2 feet*¹.
1 piece, 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" X 36" square stock  (inside is 1" X 1" and wall thickness is 1/4") $43.80 for 4 feet*¹.

2 each, flat washers and lock washers that will fit the bolt in the Toyota clothes hook bolt.

4 each, 1 1/2” bolts with flat washers and lock nuts.

2 each, 2” bolts with flat washers and lock nuts.

Kolpin Rhino Grip XL - Single – 21510 for $25 - $30*².

Total about $100.00

*¹ https://www.metalsdepot.com/steel-products/steel-square-tube.

*²https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001Q4UBVC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Procedure:
Lift covers on clothes hook then use wrench to remove Toyota clothes hook bolts.  Put the hooks in a safe place in case you want to re-mount them later.  You will use the bolts you removed.

Drill 1 hole (to fit the Toyota clothes hook screw) in one end in each flat bar stock.  Bend each flat in a vise to a 7-shape, (approx. 60°) so the mounting bar will hang horizontal near the roof of the truck (see pic).  Expect a little ”trial-and-error” to get the proper angle.

The 1 X 1 tube pieces (with a little polishing) should fit in either end of the 1 1/4 X 1 1/4. If there is a weld bead inside the larger tube, simply grind a matching groove in the smaller tubes with an angle (or bench) grinder.

See pics.  Once all parts fit, align the tubes so equal amounts of the small tubes remain exposed on either end of the large tube. Extend the small tubes equally until they match up with the flats that you bent and bolted to the mount previously used by the clothes hooks.  Mark, then drill 2 holes in each flat and corresponding holes in the small tube. Attach the 7-backets to the small tubes with the 1 1/2” bolts with flat washers and lock nuts

With the gun rack mounting bar assembled, have one person hold it in place while a second person installs the Toyota Clothes hook bolts.  The gun rack mounting bar is now hanging by itself.

1" to 2” in from the ends of the large tube drill holes through both the larger tube and the small tube inside it, then secure the large square tube to the small square tube with 2” bolts, washers and lock nuts (See Pic).

You may now remove the complete rack (remove just the 2 Toyota clothes hook bolts) and paint it if desired.
Once the rack is dry, reinstall in the truck. Attach rifle mounts (single or double, your choice) locating them where they best fit your firearm(s).
A cable lock may be added.  Notice there is still room to hang your jacket.

I mounted the Koplins toward the rear of my T4R so my gun is accessible from outside the vehicle with the rear hatch open or the rear window down.  Mounted this way, the gun should not fly forward in an accident and strike the occupants.  It is not accessible to the driver or passengers from inside the vehicle (This may be required per your state law).

Loaded magazines are kept in the locked console safe along with a spare Glock which is accessible to the driver (me) and my copilot.  Passengers are encouraged supply their own shooting irons.  Mounted gun is not visible from outside the vehicle through tinted windows (see pics).

SCOUT5

Good work, thanks for sharing>

Warbirds

Pretty cool!

mohawk600

cool

scooterdriver

Cool project, but more visible than I'd like. I'll stick to a non-descript lockable...and secured to the vehicle...hard-sided case.

Aztngundoc22

OK : 
WTF ???? Guess if You drive a 'rice-burner' in the wrong areas ? You may need such b.s. ??? Not Me !!!!
But : great use of spare time ? I guess ???
Anyhow ???? 
Guess I put my foot in the big mouth : Again ???
Thanks !!!

dcon12

I have the Big Sky two gun rack in my Super Duty. I have had the rack for several vehicles and it works well. Don

bustedknee

Flying Clay Disk said:

That looks sweet.  Nice job!

I'd suggest flipping that gun lock around the other way so it doesn't bang on the mag well though.

Good point.  Thanks.

mohawk600

I actually like the concept of having an overhead mount for an AR style rifle....................the main questions are security and ease of access. 

If I had one of these I would definitely not leave it in the overhead mount for any significant time when away from the vehicle.....better in the trunk or cargo area,  covered and not visible. While driving around, how easy is it to access?

bustedknee

The gun is not visible to anyone outside the vehicle.

1.  It is attached to the ceiling; when looking in a vehicle, it is not the tendency to look up.

2.  Tinted windows.

Access is from outside the vehicle either with the rear window down or the hatch open.  The gun is rearward of the bar so it will not go flying into occupants in case of an accident.  In some states it is illegal for a rifle to be accessible from inside the vehicle. (I carry, as well as keep a spare Glock in the console safe.

If you need access from the driver's seat?  How about the back-of-the-front-seats scabbard?

drobs

Nice Rack.

Good looking 4Runner.

I find this methods works really well. If security is of the utmost importance and cable lock can be run through the ejection port, out the mag-well, and around one of the seat legs.

bustedknee

drobs,

I read somewhere that there was space in some T4R'S for a rifle in that area.

I will check it out. Good info.

Thanks