home made roof racks?

[woytovich]

Originally Posted by rondog

I have started a design for the guy who wants a roof rack without the high profile of aftermarket designs.This is all just in drawing right now ,but trying to put it into a build in FEB.I will post build pics once it starts!
RONDOG - VIGILANTE FABWORKS

It's pretty funny that the owner of this WAY lifted truck is worried about a high profile rack! It's not like anyone is gonna notice another coupa inches... to each his own.

[britklr]

What clamps/mounts are you guys using on these racks? I'm ready to build one, I just would like to find some clamps that are strong and simple.....thx

[made4surf]

I personally think Con-ferr clamps are the strongest but they arent in production anymore. Maybe try ebay or craigslist for used ones.

[BMAN]

Originally Posted by woytovich

It's pretty funny that the owner of this WAY lifted truck is worried about a high profile rack! It's not like anyone is gonna notice another coupa inches... to each his own.

That's Rondog's truck. I think he's just using the pic for mockup purposes for a customer.

[britklr]

Thanks! I've ordered some form Groucho from Longmont Co. and I'll LYK how they turn out once I get my rack builtup.

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by LC_Hamma

I made mine from 1 1/2" & 1 1/4" tube & mounted it thru the roof. I'll add some false bases made from sheet metal & large rubber grommets to seal the roof later on in the build

Sweet rack, why the truncated shape? Is it for a spare tire or something? Very cool indeed, just trying to figure out the shape...

Rezarf <><

[fj40tom]

I didn't realize this tread existed when I started a "roof rack build" thread in the 4Runner section.

Anyway, here is a little project that I have started: Roof Rack Build

Cheers,

tp

[LC_Hamma]

Originally Posted by REZARF

Sweet rack, why the truncated shape? Is it for a spare tire or something? Very cool indeed, just trying to figure out the shape...

Rezarf <><

Yep, my spare is goin up there. I still hafta figure out how I'm gonna tie down the tire, so it's not finished yet. I wanted to angle in the upper bar on 3 sides, but keep the rear straight up & down.

[canucksafari]

Originally Posted by LC_Hamma

Yep, my spare is goin up there. I still hafta figure out how I'm gonna tie down the tire, so it's not finished yet.

I'd recommend you hold it down with a screw clamp just like on the tire balancing machines. You can drill a hole through the bolt shaft to put a pad-lock through it if you are worried someone might steal your tire or to prevent the screw clamp from loosening on washboard.

[Atoyot1031]

Here's a link to my roof rack build thread:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ack-build.html

[latinoguy]

A BIG U-Bolt may also work at securing your tire. It worked for me....$10.00 max solution. I have a strap over the tire for the double security...

[TRAILTOYZ]

That there is a thing of beauty

[Deny]

Sorry for the bad pic, don't really use roof rack too much since it is a bit of a pain for regular wheelin, but good for long trips, and like this hunting trip. Built it before I had a digital camera too. (plan was to make it big enough to eventully sleep up there)
Cheers,
Deny

[tim.korn.99]

Interesting thread!

I've been working on a design that originally was going on my FJ80, but since it's just an offroad toy, is now going on my tow rig/recovery vehicle.

Here are some pics of how it will look once built:







And here is a photoshopped pic of what it will look like on the vehicle:



-Tim

[fj40tom]

The correct dies for the Hossfeld bender finally showed up and I put them to use.



The goal of the 2nd version of this rack is to build a rack that looks good, works even better, and still remains fairly light weight for the 4Runner.

I ordered some thiner wall tubing for this rack. The .083 wall thickness tubing on the first version is super strong, but it ended up being a little heavy for a small truck. This design also uses bent corners rather than the formed plates.

This rack uses a mix of .065 wall thickness and .083 in high stress areas.



The rack will hold four lights up front, two wide beam and two pencil beam.



Another view. I was just mocking up a few things to check the design lines before I stared cutting up more metal.





More to come...

Cheers,

tp

[D'Animal]

looking good.

[fj40tom]

More progress pics:

I started out welding in the side and rear support posts and plates:



Custom "branded" side plates. The plates are framed with 1/2" square tube:



Like the first version of the rack, the mounting plates are notched to offer a flexible fit to several different vehicles.



The light mounting tabs were sheared, punched, and welded in:



Test fit:



I am using two pencil beam lights and two driving beam lights on the rack:



I was also able to test fit a back guard for the lights. It is a small piece of expanded metal that has a 25-30* bend in it. It will protect the lights from being hit by items in the rack. It still needs to be trimmed and welded in.



Test fit on the 4Runner:



Another pic:



The floor will be next...

Cheers,

tp

[LC_Hamma]

Originally Posted by TRAILTOYZ

That there is a thing of beauty

Thanks dude! I was mainly goin for the non typical & non store bought look & also wanted a more secure & solid mount extending to the frame instead of the typ. rain gutter.

[Fj60+]

Really sweet thread! answered a lot of my questions. Thanks!

[AJAEbj42]

Hi There,

Here's a pic of the roof-rack my friend made; he had other plans, so I have it now on permanent loan. It's quite heavy, about 60lbs, but you can stand on it as it is made with a thicker-walled tubing. The Thule racks work well and I have had it loaded with bulky, light, camping gear in the summer. Those are my assistants, helping with the POR15. Powder coating would be a better way to go, but I'll keep it touched up. Future plan was for a expanded metal floor. However, with all the info about gutter failures, I will definitely keep it lightly loaded. The rack tapers in front to follow the roof lines.

Cheers,
Rob

[IMG]file:///C:/Rob/Personal/Pictures/Printed%20already/June2007/back%20together3.jpg[/IMG]

[hudyhue]

getting tired of spending $$$$ on other projects....so a buddy of mine had a second rack at a good price so i am buying it....still keep the pics and ideas coming...still want to add lights and make it able to mount on hard top and when i take the top off...

[jcj_78FJ40]

Originally Posted by britklr

What clamps/mounts are you guys using on these racks? I'm ready to build one, I just would like to find some clamps that are strong and simple.....thx

I book marked this many moons ago. I really like this guy’s gutter mounts.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/7...pers-ebay.html


By bro in-law has a nice rack on his Rover. The gutter mount-to-rack attach points are recessed inwards. The outer diameter for the rack is slightly larger than the gutter and gutter mounts. It doubles as a rub-rail.

Good Luck

[Bogo]

Thinking of gutter mounts and such. If you cut a piece of 3/16" or so metal to the shape of the gutter in an area you can spread the load out allot. I'd try to run in 6" to 9" along the gutter. May take a bit of grinding to get it to fit nicely. After you have it shaped properly, take a piece of rubber to go between the gutter and the piece you shaped. Use hold down clamps like the ones in the link.

As a side note, for cars that didn't have gutters I've shaped the sides of 2x6s to the contour of the roof right next to the roof edge then used foam rubber padding from backpacking insulation pads between the wood and roof. Hold down was via clamps into the top of the door openings. For cross boards I used oak flooring that I had left over. I put a piece every 6" or so. It could carry 300 lbs or so without any issues.

[southpaw26]

I am trying to find these Quick and Easy gutter mounts on the google search and am having no luck at all. Will someone PM me where I can get these. Thanks.

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Originally Posted by southpaw26

I am trying to find these Quick and Easy gutter mounts on the google search and am having no luck at all. Will someone PM me where I can get these. Thanks.

I think we've already depleted the source

[southpaw26]

There are no more?