Roof Rack Rails: T-Slot questions???

I have a '23 Taco, TRD Off Road, Quad Cab, 5' Bed, all factory original so far. I am looking to add on a hard shell cap on the bed from either OVS (Expedition) or RSI (Smartcap Evo Adventure) I am leaning towards RSI. My first attempt at a modular metal camper shell. (I had a Lear fiberglass shell on my '03 Taco, and never installed or worked with my own roof racks/accessories.)

Both OVS and RSI, and various other vendors, have very little information on their websites about these roof mounting systems and hint that they expect you to only use their proprietary accessories on those rail mounts.

My questions are about the roof rails for mounting racks, tents, etc. I want to know if they are a universal or standard size for the shape inside the "T-Slot" and if multiple brands of aftermarket rack accessories will fit, or if they are propriety and limiting to only OSV or RSI mounting systems, respectively?

Or if there are any other weatherproof hard top systems with side wing doors and roof rack mounting rails that can be disassembled for more compact storage, similar to the above? (same question on rails above applies to this as well)

Note: I am very capable of doing professional quality modifications to anything, just trying to make my life more simple.

 

They are mostly universal. Usually, you mount A plates inside those tracks. From there you can mostly mount whatever you want whether it’s Yakima, Prinsu, front runner, etc.

 

So basically what I was assuming.. something this basic will work?

 

I don’t know the size of that exactly based on your picture but look up A (anchor) plates. Yakima and Sherpa sells them.

 

Understood, I was more referring to the simplicity, not the size. I can make my own in the shop faster than shopping around for a correct fit. Thanks for the help!

 

all good, yeah then if that’s the case, you’re good to go, it’s pretty simple and you can use anchor plates as a reference for size.

 

I prefer the bolt in the track and the nut on the outside. that way youre not trying to screw the bolt into the track and potentially cause damage. shouldnt be a big deal either way.

my alucab shell has m8 on the inside and m10 tracks on the outside top part

 

yeah that would be ideal. It’s a lot harder to screw from the top especially if it’s like a torx screw head or Philips. Especially if it’s tight. My buddy got those from Alu cab when I sold him the LT-50.

 

Thanks for the ideas. I am a Machinist. So I could be really simple, or crazy complicated on making my own.

 

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/t-slot-nuts/t-slot-bolts~/

 

Just get 1/4" carriage bolts. The slots in the generic aluminum crossbars are 1/4". Everything I have mounted on my rack are held on with them, I used stainless to cut down on rust.