So $1200 of materials and 80 hours later, here it is:

Word of advice, if you're thinking of saving money on building your own canopy, don't do it. If you have 50-80 hours of your life you'd like to waste, then this is for you.

Thanks for viewing!

-J

 

Hauling junk to the dump with a 5x10. Hasn't failed in doing truck stuff thus far.

 

Just added shelving to my truck bed for more efficient storage today. Salvaged the roll-n-lock aluminum angle pieces and cut them to length as the shelving holder.

This setup will fit 3 bins above, 6 bins below (plus 3 more stacked on top of the 3 bottom near the rear), and 2 in the hidden trunk - for a total of 14 large totes of tool storage. Or 3 bins above, and a mitre saw stand + saw + table saw below with lots of room to spare. Most people probably don't need all their tools at the same time, but in my line of work, being prepared saves me from having to make an extra trip because I didn't have that tool with me. Time saved is money made.

With the tailgate swung open, I can reach all my bins without crawling in - just have to reach in deep for the ones at the back. Can't say I can do the same with a standard truck tail gate that only folds down. The storage efficiency will be put to the test starting this week as projects start again.

It was raining throughout the day today and so far the inside has no signs of water, and the plywood is as dry. Fingers crossed it stays that way for the life of this truck. Am I crazy to think I'll get 300-350k KM out of this before I retire it to the scrapyard?

Will have the completed roof rack photos uploaded soon.

-J

 

Easy, just keep it serviced. My 2008 has 503,000 miles (809,500 km).

 

Threaded rod with a 90 degree bend is great for reaching up to the front.

 

Threaded rod with a 90 degree bend is great for reaching up to the front.

Do you mean for reaching the front welded bolts for the roof rack? Or for hooking items up in the front of the truck bed?

 

For gabbing the bins in the front and pulling them towards you to load to unload.

 

"Am I crazy to think I'll get 300-350k KM out of this before I retire it to the scrapyard?"

Plenty around that have that many miles in the states. Corrosion might be the death where you are vs.mechanicals.
In the US, I'd consider yours a baby with 130,000 miles.

 

Corrosion is not too bad of an issue here on the west coast, though my 89 civic did have signs of rust back in 2011 (not a suprise for a 22 year old car).
My main concern is the amount of punishment I put this car truck through and it's long term affects on its frame/suspensions etc due to its dreaded unibody design.
The truck has not shown any noticeable signs of premature wear, but who knows when the tipping point will be.
I just hope my time on the canopy and rack didn't go to waste and that it takes a beating for another 100k-150k km.
Until then, the Ridgeline has passed every test I've thrown at it - though there were too many occasions where I thought my load might break something.
I don't baby this truck. Just regular fluid swaps and it hasn't given me any problems thus far. I guess that's what Honda's do.

-J

 

Roof rack and storage...

Now I got to get back to my wife and kids - I'm 2 weeks late.

-J

 

Very cool post. Nice to see these trucks earning their living.

 

Thanks! They certainly are what you make of them.

-J

 

Hey, another Canadian, howdy. I have a buddy that had a 1st gen with 450k kms plus that he beats on mercilessly, never skipped a beat. Even with our harsh winters here, with regular Krown, that thing had no rust on it.....till some slack jawed bint on her phone wiped that thing out with her Hyundai by going through a red light. Honestly, with good maintenance, they'll be with you a long time.

 

the top 2 killers of the 1G RL, Timing belt failure and car crashes.

 

I'm pleased with the storage efficiency of the canopy/inside shelf.

-J

 

I like this work truck look, its great that ot works so well for ya

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

 

What is the weight of that wood/plastic canopy ?

I'd say a good 200 pounds (91 kg) ... easy. Yeah?

 

My calculations is approx. 180-200 lbs for the canopy. The steel rack adds about 80 lbs.

By the way would you know how much those Leer or A.R.E canopies for 1G Ridgeline weigh just for comparison?

-J

 

no, I have no data on the various camper shells.
I'd think a fiberglass camper shell would be ideal ... do not know if they make one for the RL.

I had a fiberglass SungTop on my '81 VW Rabbit pickup (diesel @ 52hp !! ) for 18 years ... worked great.
I installed four 2 or 3 inch long gutter rails on the sides, plus the truck had steel gutter rails on the cab, which then clamped cord bars to hold ladders. Worked great.

 

New addition to the interior. Since i didn't put any windows on the canopy (like a contractors canopy), I've installed a 12" full HD reverse cam to replace my rear view mirror. The reverse cam angle is adjustable to gain better viewing angle for trailer hook-up.

Works pretty well! Just need to hardwire it for 24H parking mode monitoring. Motion will trigger the front and rear cameras to record even when car is off/parked.

-J

 

My final addition to the build - lighting.

• Added 3rd break light (third eye)
• Added LED tailgate reverse & brake light
• Tidies up cabin/canopy wiring
• Wiring feeds into a junction box located in canopy for easy servicing access
• Swapped trunk bed halogen bulbs with LED

(Please ignore all the holiday Amazon returns)

Thanks for taking interest in this work truck build!

-J

 

That's pretty cool. Never would have thought of the Ridgeline as a strictly-work truck.

 

It was a gradual process from leisure/work to all work. It's really been sufficient for remodeling projects of all sizes when coupled with a trailer. Hasn't failed to carry/transport anything that I wouldn't have just paid suppliers to deliver thus far.

Thanks for taking interest!

-J

 

RLWorkTruck,

As a new owner of an '06 RL, I'm interested in adding a DIY bed rack. Your truck looks awesome! Amazing work!

I can't quite tell from your pics - how did you attach the side frame of the truck cap to the bed rails? It looks like you bolted a board lengthwise down each side of the bed through the holes where the tie-down hooks are attached, plus a strip of metal at the tailgate end of the truck. Is that correct?

Did you have to drill any new holes?

If you're willing to share pics of how it's attached or can explain your methods, I'd love to give it a go.

Thank you!

-RT

 

Absolutely fantastic build on the canopy and rack.

See the BC plates, what area are you in?
I'm south of Fort St. James, northwest of Vanderhoof BC.

 

Hey man. If you don't mind me asking what material did you use on the outside. The black material

 

I second this question if possible! Thanks! (sorry I know this is an old thread but I'm debating taking the challenge of trying to build myself one of these considering how nicely yours came out)

 

Holy crap. This is beautifully done. I love how flush you got the topper to the rear of the truck! And the fiberglass? black material you used on the outside of the topper looks so great. What is it if you don't mind me asking.
Thank you so much for sharing your build!