I know I will probably get some comments on being Cheap but I built my own Roof rack and Gutter mounts. I think it turned out pretty good and it is sturdy to boot. I have around $200 in it plus the time it took. Here are some pics...
Home Made Roof Rack (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter LimuEmu
- Start date
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NeverGiveUpYota
Dare me.
Looks good. I agree, half the fun is building stuff myself. Wheres the sense of accomplishment when we just take something out of a box? Looks great!
- Thread starter
- #5
I did use 3/4 emt and it was pretty easy overall. It is all bolted/screwed together and I was a little sceptical on the strength of the rack. Turns out it is very rigid and will do what it is intended for.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thank you guys for the replies. I really dig this forum. Alot of good people and knowledge.
Looks good! I want to make one for mine. How did you make the gutter mounts?
Other material you can look at for future projects is 80/20 or one of its competitors as they are all easy to work with and very robust 80/20 T-slot Aluminum Building System
- Thread starter
- #9
I made them out of 2" wide 1/8" thick flat bar each cut to around 6" in length and bent in a vice to the proper angle (not sure, didn't measure the angle). I used 1/8" thick C channel cut to about 2" to match the width of the flat bar. I cut one side of the C Channel flat and left the other for the lip of the Gutter. I drilled a 3/8" hole in the C Channel and a 1/2" hole in the Flat bar (the difference in the hole size will allow for adjustment when clamping to the Gutter). A 3/8" 1" long bolt is used to attach the C channel to the flat bar. I cut Unistrut to around 3" long and attached it to the top of the flat bar with a short bolt and a longer bolt so it will add support to the bracket This way all of the weight of the rack and contents are not on the gutter. (see pics) repeat this 5 more times for a total of 6. I figure 8 would be overkill but you could add them for your application.
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- #10
Here are more pics of the gutter mounts...
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- #11
That looks like a good quality product. The possibilities are endless.
dannyvp
SILVER Star
I made mine also, I think that’s half of the fun!!
forum.ih8mud.com
Another DIY Roof Rack
I figured I would show a little about how I made my roof rack.....maybe it will help someone move forward with theirs. first my design. I love classic wood look. So I wanted to try and use some wood slats on the rack. I made a section on the table to try and keep everything square. Racked up...
forum.ih8mud.com
- Thread starter
- #13
I made mine also, I think that’s half of the fun!!
Another DIY Roof Rack
I figured I would show a little about how I made my roof rack.....maybe it will help someone move forward with theirs. first my design. I love classic wood look. So I wanted to try and use some wood slats on the rack. I made a section on the table to try and keep everything square. Racked up...
Looks Great! Like the wood approach.
Gretsch
SILVER Star
Great roof rack. Those homemade gutter clamps are outstanding. They want a mint for pre-made ones. Not to hijack here, but I have used that unistrut/superstrut stuff for all sorts of projects. I don't have a quality welder or skills enough to use it, so I usually end up having to use ready made stuff and bolt it all together. Just finished a tire carrier on my Bantam trailer using that stuff. Possibilities are endless:
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- Thread starter
- #15
Thanks Gretsch, That trailer is sweet. Nice use of Unistrut!
Nicely done, LimuEmu!
Nothing better than building yourself an addition for the best vehicle ever made!
Heres my rack, made it from the segmented floorboards of a Mk V zodiac HD, bits of aluminum
and a bunch of stainless steel I had.
Its a great platform for carrying, sleeping or deck-chairing, and Its a nice safari roof, keeps the crusher (and the dog) much cooler in the sun!
Nothing better than building yourself an addition for the best vehicle ever made!
Heres my rack, made it from the segmented floorboards of a Mk V zodiac HD, bits of aluminum
Its a great platform for carrying, sleeping or deck-chairing, and Its a nice safari roof, keeps the crusher (and the dog) much cooler in the sun!
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- #17
That is a great platform/Rack Roalco. Nice use of what you had! I was contemplating a platform for a RTT but I decided I am getting too old and lazy to climb onto the roof to sleep
. So I figured I would use the basket more than a platform. I was also thinking of putting my spare tire up there but I think I am going to build a swing out tire carrier instead. I acquired some 2x2 1/4 square tubing for free and my father in law handed down a perfectly good Lincoln 125plus mig welder that he replaced with a Miller. All I had to do was replace the welding whip since it was damaged. Ready for the next project...
. So I figured I would use the basket more than a platform. I was also thinking of putting my spare tire up there but I think I am going to build a swing out tire carrier instead. I acquired some 2x2 1/4 square tubing for free and my father in law handed down a perfectly good Lincoln 125plus mig welder that he replaced with a Miller. All I had to do was replace the welding whip since it was damaged. Ready for the next project...
Sometimes I have difficulty paying someone to do/make something I can do/make myself. I'm impressed with your work.
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- #19
Thanks, it is holding up well. I have the spare tire up there with the Hi-Lift jack for now until I get my rear bumber with swing out tire carrier built. I just picked up 8 feet of 6 inch tall C-Channel. Man that tire and rim is heavy when throwing it into the rack!
I made a full length rack using 1x1 steel tubing and with expanded metal for the "floor". I added a Hi lift jack mount on 1 side and a shovel mount on the other. I didn't consider the weight of the final product. I took 2 men (3 would have been better, 4 would have been great) to put it on top of the truck. I decided not to use it. I ended up cutting it to make a roof rack for the trailer I made.
