DIY Roof Rack questions

Deweyxj

Invisible, on purpose!
Great to know, thanks. If I weld it outside with a breeze, should I be ok? I've heard the nasty flu-like symptoms that follow those who weld galvanized steel, just wondering if that'd do the trick.


Outside, you'll be fine, just weld from the windward side;)!

I built one for my XJ using 3/4 for the upper & lower hoops tied together with 3" long pieces of 1/2 verticly positioned 10-12" apart. I think I ended up with 4 on the sides & 3 on the front & back. Whatever looks good to you:)!

The bottom was also 1/2" runners side to side spaced 6" apart. Attached it to the existing factory rails with 1/4 X 1 1/4 U bolts.:rolleyes:


I carried a 32" spare, Hi-Lift jack, & shovel all the time & lots of camping gear whenever needed:D! I even stood in it to reach stuff in the garage, & +200 #:eek:!

I didn't try to fish-mouth my joints, I just pinnched them in a vise on either end & welded them in:)! I did sleave the 3/4 butt joints with 1/2 pieces though.

The whole rack weighed less than 30# & cost about $25 & a couple of evenings to build. It worked great untill I rolled the Jeep over on it:rolleyes:, even though it was bent pretty bad only 1 weld broke:busted: !


Bottom line.....EMT = Good build material:thumbs:
 

dentedvw

uıɐƃɐ ʇɐɥʇ op ʇ,uoʍ ı
Location
Bountiful, UT
I went to a pick-n-pull and took a roof rack off of a late model Chevy mini van, and a few extra bits from another, it was $16 out the door, took less than half an hour. Half an hour later, I had it mounted on the hardtop of the Jeep. It would take a bit longer if you had to pull a headliner, but that's what I would do again without hesitation.

I have been considering an EMT roof rack too. :)
 
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