Rack Idea for Stock Roll Bar (w/LEDs)

[Fast Eddy]

I remember your rack build. Subconsciously I probably copied it, I guess. I have been thinking about table legs, but I'm trying to keep the weight down. No current plans for them as of now.

Lights are wired over the roll bar to the top of the windshield where the dome light wire for the hard top is for now. Not a great long-term solution as I usually wheel with the windshield down. I don't really have a better plan right now.

Long term, I'm planning to have a secondary electrical system, probably with a battery in the back. Behind the passenger seat maybe? If so, I'll perma-wire it to there.

 

[ATXfj40]

This is genius. How is it working out. Also I don't understand how the basket doens't just slide off. Is it bolted into the rubber somehow? I guess you cut the hitch off as well. Could you just leave that on incase you wanted to use it as a hitch basket as well?

Thanks. I'm definitely going to have to give this a try

 

[Fast Eddy]

This is genius. How is it working out.

I just came across this via search. It's about time for a status report.

It works, 100%. This rack has now been through the Rubicon Tr 3x and been a bunch of other places in Cali over the last 3 years. I usually load the rack with less than 75 lbs or so, soft goods up to a camp chair. Nothing as heavy as a gas can or an ice chest. It could do it, but it would slide around more. It will move forward and back some, but the rubber makes it silent. You notice when you arrive at camp that it has moved some, but it doesn't matter. It can't slide past the factory roll bar pads.

Instead of perma-wired to the windshield, I just have an 8' pigtail with a cigarette lighter plug. I plug it in when I want.

I don't understand how the basket doens't just slide off. Is it bolted into the rubber somehow?

Exactly. The clamps are meant to bolt to the side of a trailer and hold tools. I have them bolted to the bottom side of the square tube baskets instead.

I I guess you cut the hitch off as well. Could you just leave that on incase you wanted to use it as a hitch basket as well?

There are two sides of the basket and they were bolted to the 2" square tube. I replaced the tube with 4" pieces of pvc with all-thread holding the sides together. I could unbolt it and put the hitch back in if I wanted, but I won't. I only take it off if I need the passenger room. It takes about 20 minutes to convert from 2 person camper to 4 person lunch wagon.

 

[drnekFJ40]

This is so cool!!!!It is funny that about 3 weeks ago I bought the same carrier from Harbor Freight (for 40,-)yesterday I bought the same clips planning using them for hanging tools...So I do have all components but never thought about to make inside rack in my 40!!!I will probably use metal clamps anyway-maybe clamps for fences or something similar to mount the rack and maybe sit it lower as on your first picture....I may leave the tang there too and mount it in front direction put the pads around it and hang something on it,,maybe (got to look at it closely.)..Eddy,you didn't like it sitting lower?Great idea anyway....

 

[honk]

Eddie,

I think it would help some folks visualize the rack if you could get a shot of your truck from a stand-off distance enough to include the whole cruiser. The photos you've posted are great for seeing how the rack is attached but most would be interested in on how their trucks would look, such rack installed.

 

[drnekFJ40]

I just put the same rack in mine today as I liked Fast Eddy's idea a lot.I used 4 exhaust 2"clamps from tractor supply(galvanized ones) and bought aluminum edge(cut it 14" length on each side...set the clamps on the roll bar(cut some tube rubber protector under)with bolts pointing inside of the cab and bolted the aluminum edge along the side of the roll bar.Than set the rack on top of it and drilled 2 holes on each side to mount it there...It is rock solid and I can hang a lot of things on it...I forgot-also put a thin plywood on top of the rack to make table platform...I am running with hardtop on.And those Quick fist clamps I didn't use?I will mount them on the rack to mount an axe or something else...

 

[awynne56]

i have the same rack over my spare tire to hold wet wetsuits and sandy stuff .. cant beat the price. cant make anything cheaper

 

[Fast Eddy]

I think it would help some folks visualize the rack if you could get a shot of your truck from a stand-off distance enough to include the whole cruiser.

You can see how the two clamps on each side straddle the factory roll bar pad and keep it from sliding off.

 

[drnekFJ40]

I ,stole' Fast Eddys idea and made exact same rack inside of my 77...Just did it a little different way..

 

[drnekFJ40]

 

[awynne56]

FYI everyone harbor fright is selling the 500 lb rack for 39 bucks. That's a steal

 

[drnekFJ40]

That's what I bought it for....I might get another one and use half of it on each side above wheel wells and hang some molle pouches or adjust it to hold jerry cans inside somehow...will see...

 

[FJ40|RUNNER]

That in-store? I might have to grab one at that $$$.

 

[awynne56]

Yes in store, it was in the weekly ad, for that price i might get another one. great price

 

[honk]

HF has three different carriers. One's aluminum so it's easy to eliminate.

But there's a 300 lb. capacity carrier designed for use on ATV's and a 500 lb. capacity one for trucks. The sizes and weights (and prices) vary a few inches and pounds between the two.

Just from looking at the website I'm wondering if the ATV version might not work better because it has one open end that doesn't have a rail making it easier to toss stuff up there, especially if used with hardtop installed?

 

[awynne56]

@drnekFJ40 what kind of seat cover you have? I run the besttop trailmax pro 2 and need a seat cover, are they water proof?

thanks , sorry for any hijacks

 

[drnekFJ40]

HF has three different carriers. One's aluminum so it's easy to eliminate.

But there's a 300 lb. capacity carrier designed for use on ATV's and a 500 lb. capacity one for trucks. The sizes and weights (and prices) vary a few inches and pounds between the two.

Just from looking at the website I'm wondering if the ATV version might not work better because it has one open end that doesn't have a rail making it easier to toss stuff up there, especially if used with hardtop installed?

ATV version is too narrow and too long ...I didn't like it too much,but it would definitely help to slide stuff in there due the open side..My rack is only for light and bulky stuff like sleeping bag,pad,tent,clothes so it don't bother me that sliding opening is narrow...

 

[drnekFJ40]

@drnekFJ40 what kind of seat cover you have? I run the besttop trailmax pro 2 and need a seat cover, are they water proof?

thanks , sorry for any hijacks

I got 2 seatcovers...one regular from O'Reily realtree and Smittybilt Jeep seat cover on top.It Is 3/4 seat cover-doesn't cover the whole seat..It looks waterproof(PVC liner).Its purpose is mostly to hold Molle pouches in the back,front and side.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Smittybilt

You cant beat these covers. I removed the "Seat" portion and I'm working a "jump seat cover" into the equation. I'll kick you a pic when I'm finished.

I ,stole' Fast Eddys idea

@Fast Eddy
Fixen' to do the same...One of my favorite bolt on mods!

 

[davegonz]

I ran those on my old 80 series. They were great. Nice idea on repurposing the "seat" portion. I might have to steal that idea