Roof Rack Sliders

[Kynot62]

A rock under my rig got me into this and a side pull from my rear winch got me out. Pulling my roof rack is not an option so I added these bars to prevent hanging up on smaller trees. They even help getting around bigger trees by pushing the rig over.

Tony

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Way cool! What are they made of?

 

[alkarich]

Nice idea!

 

[BG_TX]

Good idea... what is the construction, how are they mounted, etc?

Also, are your rack lights mounted directly to the Yakima load bars?

 

[IrollwithTojo]

Badass & Creative. Winning combination right there.

-Carl

 

[Kynot62]

Sorry it took me so long to get back on here, I was painting my rims and rock sliders.

The bars are 1" ID black pipe from the hardware store, 1 5/16" OD with a 45 degree bend on each end. I used a lathe to bore out short sections of the pipe (matching the size of the Yakima bars with the plastic removed) for the mounts that are welded to the slider bars. Then a 1/4-20 bolt holds them to the Yakima bar ends. The Yakima bars bottom out in the slider mounts and loads are pushing on the bars so this is plenty strong and still allows it to all come apart for repairs etc. I also shortened the spacer (that small part just below the aluminum ring) in the middle rack mount to compensate for the crown in the rain gutter.

One thing I didn't expect was how much more finished the rack looks. I always thought it looked incomplete but not anymore. Makes a great grab handle when I step on my rock sliders to load the rack as well

The light mounts are really simple, they are just Yakima rack hardware used to hold accessories to round bars. I think they may be called "mighty mounts" any Yakima dealer should have them. I even left the quick release handle on them so I can easily change the angle. Those lights face the rear by the way, they are my backup lights.

Hope this answers everybody's questions, if not let me know

Tony

 

[Granite Grinder]

Very cool, I just shortened my Thule bars for the same reason. The bars stuck out and would catch branches and some of those branches are 8" in diameter. I like the idea of sliders with the added option of a grab bar.
GG

 

[intense1]

Def makes it look finished. That was my though when I saw the pic!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Don't you think trees would bend the Yakima towers as they slide along those sliders? They are sweet, don't get me wrong, but will the Yakima towers hold up to the truck's weight as it leans on them?

 

[Kynot62]

Most of the time it doesn't take much of a push to keep off of trees. Like anything with too much strain they would break. And consider what they are hooked to, in that picture above the rear tower bent the hell out of the gutter before it broke and it still didn't let go of the roof. What the slider does is spread the load over all 6 towers, the whole rack is now connected together but still flexes a bit. Will it carry the full weight of the rig? No, but the slider prevents catching the rack and frequently pushes the rig over enough to get by. Surprisingly the towers will take a lot of abuse.

Tony

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Makes sense. Tying all of the legs together adds a lot of strength I bet. Post up some pictures of them in action!

 

[sirenmoses]

Can we get a couple more pix? Shots of your whole rack set-up (basketcase + full-size rack) and closeup of how the sliders mount to bars?

Great idea, wanna get a buddy to make one for moi!

 

[wheelin62]

Hey Tony, I guess we'll have to go out this weekend to provide these fine people with some "in use" action shots

 

[retrofive]

Thats uber sweet. Found my next project! I just got my megawarrior ext. and 3rd towers and bar.

 

[Kynot62]

Can we get a couple more pix? Shots of your whole rack set-up (basketcase + full-size rack) and closeup of how the sliders mount to bars?

Great idea, wanna get a buddy to make one for moi!

Here are some more detail pix. They were pretty simple to make (with the right tools). Let me know if you need more info.

 

[Kynot62]

Thats uber sweet. Found my next project! I just got my megawarrior ext. and 3rd towers and bar.

Here are a couple more pix. The rack on top is just a loadwarrior as I wanted room on the sides for my jack and a shovel. I still have to make a new shovel rack as that tree in the first photo took out the old one.

Tony

 

[Kynot62]

Hey Tony, I guess we'll have to go out this weekend to provide these fine people with some "in use" action shots

I know where we can find some trees that don't like wagons.....

 

[2badfjs]

now that's a great mod!!!

very nice!

 

[Bryan062087]

Any more pictures of your truck? Looks nice.

 

[sirenmoses]

now that's a great mod!!!

very nice!

Wow, very high praise indeed.

and seconded here.


These sliders would make me leave my rack on the rig indefinately, rather than stowing it when not in use.

Gonna print out this thread for one of my buddies to eyeball, see if he'll fab up a set for me.

Great work,