Rear/Side Ladder
- Thread starter 4WDFORC
- Start date
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I installed a pair of White Knuckle sliders on my FJ60 and they have become a nice side step to access gear on the roof rack
http://white-knuckleoffroad.com/toyotafj60.htm
http://white-knuckleoffroad.com/toyotafj60.htm
I'd build/buy a rear bumper with wrap around sides. Mount the bottom of the ladder to that and the top to the roof rack. Or do like theron said. OR buy one of those hitch step things. Or flip down your tailgate and stand on it.
I no longer have my rack on my FJ60, but when I did, I never found a ladder necessary. I would either stand on the tailgate or more often, roll down the widow all the way on the rear door and stand on the sill (door closed of course). It is very strong and stable and I could access my rack easily. I've carried a 33" spare, 5 gallon gas cans and water containers, etc. all with no problem. Worked for me.
I'm really interested in this, specifically a side mount. Something like this:
I'm wondering what kind of support would be needed on the side to keep the body from flexing while using the ladder.
-Daniel Kent
I'm wondering what kind of support would be needed on the side to keep the body from flexing while using the ladder.
-Daniel Kent
^^^ This particular one looks like it's mounted to the frame and the rack. Wouldn't this create to much flex in the ladder?
-Daniel Kent
-Daniel Kent
I've toyed with the idea of hooks on the top and rubber bumpers on the bottom, so the ladder could be stored when not needed, but moved all around the vehicle when it is. Haven't built one yet though.
That is exactly what I have, mine has about a foot long length of foam where it presses on the door if hooked on the side or the hatch if hooked on the back.
It is just short enough to easily fit across the car in the back or on the roof rack.
Roof rack to a ladder
Here is a couple of pictures of my roof rack to ladder design. I would encourage you for a side ladder system because you have to come up with some type of ladder on a swing out arm system. So a 4X4 labs or a Kaymar type bumper would be a good bumper with the swing out arms. Plus design it so it will not inter fear with the view out the back window.
On mine ladder to roof rack system the top of the ladder bolts into the roof rack and the bottom is weld to the C channel frame of the cruiser. I wished my welder/fabicactor at the time had made it bolt on At the top and the bottom. On the arc of the ladder or distance of the ladder from the fenders of the cruiser keep it about four to five inches from the fender. This will keep the ladder with the same distance as the side mirror. You have already learned how to drive/off road you cruiser. If your going to bang your mirror you will bang your ladder.
I hope this helps.
Here is a couple of pictures of my roof rack to ladder design. I would encourage you for a side ladder system because you have to come up with some type of ladder on a swing out arm system. So a 4X4 labs or a Kaymar type bumper would be a good bumper with the swing out arms. Plus design it so it will not inter fear with the view out the back window.
On mine ladder to roof rack system the top of the ladder bolts into the roof rack and the bottom is weld to the C channel frame of the cruiser. I wished my welder/fabicactor at the time had made it bolt on At the top and the bottom. On the arc of the ladder or distance of the ladder from the fenders of the cruiser keep it about four to five inches from the fender. This will keep the ladder with the same distance as the side mirror. You have already learned how to drive/off road you cruiser. If your going to bang your mirror you will bang your ladder.
I hope this helps.
Anther shot of the roof rack to ladder combo.
I would recommend avoiding a fixed side ladder. Rocks and trees will catch on it and bend it and whatever it's attached to. If you try to mount it close then you can only get your toes on the rungs.
I've seen two piece ladders bolted to the lift and tail gates. Or ladders mounted to custom bumper swing outs. I stand on the tire or on the tail gate (with the lift gate closed) to access mine. A removable ladder would work on the side if you had to have it. Maybe something with hooks on the top to grab the rack and a fork on the bottom that straddled the tube of a slider.
I've seen two piece ladders bolted to the lift and tail gates. Or ladders mounted to custom bumper swing outs. I stand on the tire or on the tail gate (with the lift gate closed) to access mine. A removable ladder would work on the side if you had to have it. Maybe something with hooks on the top to grab the rack and a fork on the bottom that straddled the tube of a slider.
Great pics, thanks! Do you have any problems with flex since the frames moves separate from the body?
-Daniel Kent
I've always liked this guys idea.
Its really weird that this thread came up today, last night I was thinking about ways to make a ladder to a roof rack!
I came up with an idea to have a ladder that folds in half and has a hinge where it meets the rack, allowing it to fold upwards and store its self in the rack. I don't know how practical it would be, but if I ever make a rack I might try it out.
Its really weird that this thread came up today, last night I was thinking about ways to make a ladder to a roof rack!
I came up with an idea to have a ladder that folds in half and has a hinge where it meets the rack, allowing it to fold upwards and store its self in the rack. I don't know how practical it would be, but if I ever make a rack I might try it out.
What about this guy Mot's ladders -
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/338005-roof-rack-side-ladder.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/338005-roof-rack-side-ladder.html
