Cheap AL Homemade Roof Rack

[aktundra]

This idea was originally posted in the 80's Forum.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/59928-new-how-tech-80-series-aluminum-roof-rack.html

(see the links in the original thread for construction details)

I made one for my 80, liked it so much, made a few tweaks for the 40 and made another one. For the 40, note my lessons learned in post 94 regarding placing the rain gutter towers correctly. For the 40 I would have also probably not painted it black, just left the aluminum bare.

 

[Roboosfj40s]

Nice, My home made rack is steel very strong but much more weight too! I have to do some mods as well coz it sit on the roof in the middle so I will add some square tubing to raise it up. and would like to add some expanded metal.

 

[CruiserStuff]

I know lots of people like to use expanded steel in the floors of their roof racks, but IMHO, there are other (much better) options out there......expanded steel can kinda act like a cheese grater on things stored on top of it. There are lots of materials that are sold in sheets that would work.....I'd check into them before settling on expanded steel.....just my 2 cents.....

 

[no clue FJ40]

Nice rack. What was your cost on material? Where did you get the tie down clips???