100-series new roof rack

[benc]

So what's pictured above is basically what the finished product will resemble? There won't be full side "skirting" running the length of the rack?

There will not be full length but there will be a full front fairing.
That pic is similar but far from the finished product.

 

[aaronrules]

The brackets are on cad and off to the laser cutter next week.
They should be pretty dialed but may have to do one more prototype run to fine tune.
Once I have the brackets and get the extrusions bolted in place I can finish drawing the fairing and skirting.
The entire rack will be made of aluminum while the bracketry will be made of 10ga 304 stainless.
There will be no mild steel on this rack so no rust! I have had my fair share of steel racks and even when powder coated they will scratch and will rust if you use them as a utility rack like I do.
I have said it before but one thing you can count on is I own a 100 series and use it for everything. I have a good idea of what is needed/wanted in a roof rack.
My point is I recently had bought a fridge slide from a big name manufacturer and was very disappointed to find out it did not lock while extended! I called the manufacturer and asked why, he said they found in there r&d that it wasn't needed. What!
This goes to show that a lot of products are designed on a computer by people that don't use the products and never really tested before they hit the market.
I promise this will not be the case with any products I build!
Thanks again for all the support with the bumpers and I hope this rack will be just as practical.

So you are saying that the next project is either a fridge slide or drawers or both!? Man I can't wait!

 

[paflytyer]

Another thing to consider is leaving enough access to reach under the rack to bolt a roof top tent in place.

 

[aaronrules]

Another thing to consider is leaving enough access to reach under the rack to bolt a roof top tent in place.

I think I saw where he said the crossmembers would bolt to the RTT then you put the whole assembly on the rack. Which, if it works out, sounds pretty genius and a great way to keep the rack super low profile.

 

[paflytyer]

Ben is really good at designing stuff that works well, so I'm sure he will have thought of everything by the time this is finished.

 

[benc]

Another thing to consider is leaving enough access to reach under the rack to bolt a roof top tent in place.

Yep, been there done that,
Like said above, I plan to have extrusions that replace the rails on the tent or bolt to the tent rails first, then you can set the tent in place and bolt it on the top or the outer edge of the rack.
Should be very simple to remove and reinstall the tent.

 

[REZARF]

I liked your original prototype more from an aesthetic point of view. I'm sure you'll knock it out when it's ready to roll though.

 

[benc]

Thanks for the kind words!
I try to think of everything but to be honest the reason I start these threads before the product is developed is to get ideas and feedback from others.
Sometimes I feel like I should be paying you guys for the ideas

Ben is really good at designing stuff that works well, so I'm sure he will have thought of everything by the time this is finished.

 

[lead62]

When you build a good product at a good price you do pay us in a way we all appreciate.

 

[caslim]

Did you ever sort out the mounting brackets? Curious how it would mount to the stock mounting points.

 

[benc]

I did, but to be honest the rack has been on the back burner until I get caught up.
I am back in a 100 again so expect to see a full line of 100 series products from dissent offroad in the future.
Thanks!

Did you ever sort out the mounting brackets? Curious how it would mount to the stock mounting points.

is

 

[470SNC]

That is a great looking rack, staying tuned for more development!

 

[ylexot]

Bumping for an update. Roof rack has become top priority for the next mod.

If I understand your design concept, just about anything can be slid between or on top of the extruded rails. Is that right?

BTW, loving the bumper. Did a hard pull to get my big ole tractor out of the soup a couple weeks ago. Bumper didn't mind a bit, but I did break my winch. :O

 

[benc]

Sorry for the lack of updates!
Getting close though.
Hoping to have a 100 series rack together for HIH in a week.
Here is a teaser of the Tacoma rack. The 100 rack will be the same basic design.
Stay tuned.

 

[WillW]

Crazy as always Ben! The Tacoma looks awesome!

 

[kelly saad]

Holy crap!!!! The military will want to hire you soon.

 

[geanes]

Pardon my French but...........HOLY CRAP! That Taco setup looks ridiculous! Can't wait to see what you're cooking up for the LC/LX. Inching closer to my "creative" accounting freeing up the necessary funds to order my LX Bullbar bumper from you @benc

 

[benc]

Thanks guys!
I know this thing has seen many different styles but this is the one I'm sticking with.
Originally I was going with t-slot extrusion but decided against it for cost and weight reasons.
As with all my products the rack has slots and holes all over for endless accessory mouting options. I ended up going with a full side skirting but extending it out past the roof a bit to allow a clean look but still allow snow and debris to drain off. There will be 3-4 main load bars and several ajustable load bars. It's completly bolt together and all hardware is pressed into the rack so no need to hold the nuts on the back side when installing or adding accesdories.
Once done there should be very little lead time as there is zero welding so I can ship out quick. If all goes as planed I will have one mounted on a 100 by the end of next week.

 

[planomateo]

Very cool! Looking forward to seeing one in person at HIH7.

 

[cruzerDave]

Looks amazing Ben! Can't wait to see at HIH!