NEW HOW-TO TECH: 80 Series Aluminum Roof Rack

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NorCalDoug said:
How about a shot of the rack from the rear of the truck. Something similar to what you have posted with the lights, but from the opposite end.

I'd like to see how you wrapped the band around the rear and if it's supported back there. I see how you did it up front with the non-load bearing section...I'd like to check out the back-side.

I still think it's a sweet rack.
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I'll snap a shot of the back from the rear view later. How about this shot on the article page, it shows the rear end.

As you see, same band wrapped around with two 90 degree turns. A peice of angle alum attached to that for strength. A center band attaching it to the rack (look in the middle) and, each 3" slat on top attached to the angle aluminum:

rackweb06.jpg
 
This has been the fastest truck build every...zero to hero over night. I'm jealous, impressed, and motivated all at the same time. Again, nice rig.
 
NorCalDoug said:
How about a shot of the rack from the rear of the truck. Something similar to what you have posted with the lights, but from the opposite end.
Click to expand...

How about just taking about taking 20 more pictures and posting them? I'm not being a smart arse, I just think there is enough interest that you couldn't give us too many pictures. I like it, I like it alot.
 
Walking Eagle said:
How about just taking about taking 20 more pictures and posting them? I'm not being a smart arse, I just think there is enough interest that you couldn't give us too many pictures. I like it, I like it alot.
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:eek: Yikes! 20 eh? Ha ha, ok I will see what I can do. Better yet, how about a little video footage of it maybe?

:confused:
 
Nice rig and that color is shiny. Looks kewl. I like the way that black color shines, did you Griot's.

You're roof rack is a cool mod. You got so much time on your hand!

Do you still have your 4Runner?
 
My turn...

WildYoats,
Firstly, awesome build and great write-up! Secondly, I am going to attempt this build on a 60. :eek: I've already gotten the aluminium (except for the Moose), as there is a Metal Supermarket in Dallas. It was slightly cheaper than Lowes/Home Depot. I ordered the HDS-8 Bulldog clamps (3-4.5" instead of the 6"), also from 4Wheelparts (like you it was $20 cheaper than Conferr's site --- WTF?)

Now a few small questions (please):

1. What size rivets did you use...I know 3/16 5mm, but what length did you use (i.e. small, med., large)? I went with the large...

2. Bolts? So far I've bought six 2 1/2" x 1/2 for the moose center, but do you remember what you used otherwise (e.g. sides, extension, etc.)?

3. Final question = How did you get the back rounded out? It looks like you may have cut the square corners (from the pic's)...is this true? I plan on keeping the length at 71" and was wondering about the back.

Granted, I still don't have the moose rack in hand...so I might be able to answer all my own questions then. BUT...I am bored, sitting in a hotel, and was hoping you could enlighten me!!! :grinpimp:

:beer:
Matt
 
meluhha said:
WildYoats,
Firstly, awesome build and great write-up! Secondly, I am going to attempt this build on a 60. :eek: I've already gotten the aluminium (except for the Moose), as there is a Metal Supermarket in Dallas. It was slightly cheaper than Lowes/Home Depot. I ordered the HDS-8 Bulldog clamps (3-4.5" instead of the 6"), also from 4Wheelparts (like you it was $20 cheaper than Conferr's site --- WTF?)

Now a few small questions (please):

1. What size rivets did you use...I know 3/16 5mm, but what length did you use (i.e. small, med., large)? I went with the large...

2. Bolts? So far I've bought six 2 1/2" x 1/2 for the moose center, but do you remember what you used otherwise (e.g. sides, extension, etc.)?

3. Final question = How did you get the back rounded out? It looks like you may have cut the square corners (from the pic's)...is this true? I plan on keeping the length at 71" and was wondering about the back.

Granted, I still don't have the moose rack in hand...so I might be able to answer all my own questions then. BUT...I am bored, sitting in a hotel, and was hoping you could enlighten me!!! :grinpimp:

:beer:
Matt
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Cool, I am excited to see yours Matt!

1. Yes, I went with the large rivets on the floor peices for the rack. Good job on getting the large.

2. As far as the other bolts, I used 2" bolts for to bolt the strip aluminum to the moose (the strip meaning the front and rear 2" flat stock). I used 2.5" bolts to bolt the Moose to the Bulldogs. Also, Hope I didn't mention 2.5' for the center bolts, yikes if I did, I believe they are actually 3" bolts. I used all grade 8 anodized stuff.

3. I did the same thing on the rear as I did the front. Used the 2" flat stock and made one peice with two rounded corners. Then I bolted those on the back. I didn't cut anything off of the Moose, if you look close, you will see the bottom peice of the Moose (it's tilted at 45 degrees), this is the part that would rest on the ground if one were to load their ATV in the truck.

So for reference sake, the part of the Moose that has a 45 degree angle should be on the BACK of your vehicle. The front of the Moose has those four large tabs that would sit on a tailgate while loading the ATV, these are what I cut off.

One other thing, the hinges on the Moose should face down towards your roof (or on the bottom side). I cut them off after married the two peices, but as a reference point, they should be down.

Good luck! :bounce:
 
LX_TREME said:
More ladders...
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Sweet on the ladders. One thing I notice is that none of those 80's have a rear air foil, or spoiler thingy jobber on them. Mine does. I don't know if it's considered cool yet, but am planning on leaving it as I really wish not to have the exposed holes.

So, with that, here is my thinking. The ladder will come up close to the window and hook into the top between the air foil and window. Then, to hold my phat azz, I was thinking it might be best to have it come down all the way down and have the two end nubs actually rest on the bumper. Of course, I would find some big rubber snubbers to put on the ends, but this would absorb the most amount of weight therefore not putting any strain on the tailgate peices at all or at least a very little. What do you think?

Johnny
 
WildYoats said:
Sweet on the ladders. One thing I notice is that none of those 80's have a rear air foil, or spoiler thingy jobber on them. Mine does. I don't know if it's considered cool yet, but am planning on leaving it as I really wish not to have the exposed holes.

So, with that, here is my thinking. The ladder will come up close to the window and hook into the top between the air foil and window. Then, to hold my phat azz, I was thinking it might be best to have it come down all the way down and have the two end nubs actually rest on the bumper. Of course, I would find some big rubber snubbers to put on the ends, but this would absorb the most amount of weight therefore not putting any strain on the tailgate peices at all or at least a very little. What do you think?

Johnny
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Johnny, I like the last ladder pic myself, But its your ladder... Oh and your not fat ...That's German engineering!?! RIGHT?
As for your idea, I have read many times there is ALOT of body flex/movement aside from the frame, That said, You dont want to have the rear hatch mucked up from too much flex...Just a thought :confused:
BTW If Im off on this thought feel free to tell me then I will know :flipoff2:
Thanks and good luck! :cheers:
 
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WildYoats said:
Sweet on the ladders. One thing I notice is that none of those 80's have a rear air foil, or spoiler thingy jobber on them. Mine does. I don't know if it's considered cool yet, but am planning on leaving it as I really wish not to have the exposed holes.

So, with that, here is my thinking. The ladder will come up close to the window and hook into the top between the air foil and window. Then, to hold my phat azz, I was thinking it might be best to have it come down all the way down and have the two end nubs actually rest on the bumper. Of course, I would find some big rubber snubbers to put on the ends, but this would absorb the most amount of weight therefore not putting any strain on the tailgate peices at all or at least a very little. What do you think?

Johnny
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If it is permanently mounted, it might be a nuisance when opening upper and lower tailgate. I would think the upper tailgate should be able to handle the weight, the idea of having the bumper bear the weight is nice, but I'm not sure how it will be practical/convenient when access the cargo area.
 
firetruck41 said:
If it is permanently mounted, it might be a nuisance when opening upper and lower tailgate. I would think the upper tailgate should be able to handle the weight, the idea of having the bumper bear the weight is nice, but I'm not sure how it will be practical/convenient when access the cargo area.
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Yes, I agree. I guess I didn't say it, but it would not be permanant from the lower tailgate down. Basically, it would still open up just fine when the top gate is open.

But Brian brings up a good point with the body flex. Hmmmmm.
 
Johnny,
Thanks for answering those q's!! It will def. help...

I'll post some pic's in a couple of weeks of my progress (too much on the ol' plate to start before that.) :frown:

Thanks again,
Matt
 
WildYoats said:
So, with that, here is my thinking. The ladder will come up close to the window and hook into the top between the air foil and window. Then, to hold my phat azz, I was thinking it might be best to have it come down all the way down and have the two end nubs actually rest on the bumper. Of course, I would find some big rubber snubbers to put on the ends, but this would absorb the most amount of weight therefore not putting any strain on the tailgate peices at all or at least a very little. What do you think?

Johnny
Click to expand...

Why not just mount it on your swingout? That way the weight goes into the bumper, and it's no more in the way of the tailgate than the swingout.

Heath
 
Walking Eagle said:
Why not just mount it on your swingout? That way the weight goes into the bumper, and it's no more in the way of the tailgate than the swingout.

Heath
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Well, because more than likely I will be accessing the roof rack via ladder from the rear bumper with the swing out OPEN. May be a little too hard to get to the rack area while the swing tire carrier is shut.
 
Very cool idea. It has got me looking for local ATV ramps. These came up and look very good for the J-Moose rack.

They are made by Fulton and are 50" x 77", have a rating of 1500 lbs, and a rung spacing of 4".

The only down side is that they're double the price @ $199.99 USD.
 
4x4 labs does the ladder on the swingout. I don't mind it, shut the swing out, climb the truck.....

btw, if the swingout is open, just close the top hatch, stand on the bottom one, access the rack...

I'm only 5'7" and I take a kayak and kids a bunch of places camping, I use to just jump off the roof, or scoot off of it, or climb the tire, but the Ladder, as a point of safety, I really like it....no longer jumping six feet down in Teva's, after a few camping brewski's....
 
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