Topic: Roof rack build

[JFanaselle]

I recently posted some photos in the display case of a roof rack insert that I built and decided I should do a separate post about how the rack was built, in case anyone else wants to take a stab at something similar. I apologize that I don

[steve c]

Thanks for taking the time to write that up.

Will read it tonight!

[Paul]

Very nice. I ran my cross braces out wider to allow me to mount side facing front and rear LED lights. I also included a rear rail to hold junk in and to mount my rear facing light bar. I went with "L" brackets to lower the bottom of the rack another 1/2"-3/4" or so.

Roof rack build

Roof rack build

Roof rack build

Roof rack build

Roof rack build

Roof rack build

Roof rack build

It's been up there about three or four years and still doing well.

[Ghost65]

Great roof rack posts guys...nice to see you again Paul!! 

Or, you could wait 13 months for one of these...

Roof rack build

[JFanaselle]

Nice looking rack Paul. Your design is one of the many I stole some ideas from after reading about it on thenewx. Amazing drawings, too! They were VERY helpful!

I opted to keep it very simple, which is why I didn't use the L-bracket design. I did, however, sort of use your side light design. I just ran crossbars over the top of the OEM tubes and mounted the lights under them so they wouldn't stick up higher than the rest of the rack. These front and rear crossbars over the OEM tubes make the whole design act like a "backet" like yours, too. That being said, I do envy the extra space you have with the L-bracket design bringing it so close to the roof.

And thanks, Ghost! Now I just need to put a bunch of crap up there and do a little wheeling.

[LBSlide]

Where do you get your rubber coated u bolts? Or the size you used?

[JFanaselle]

They are black U-Bolts with rubber tubing slipped over them. Both the ubolts and tubing were ordered from McMaster-Carr online. The info is below. I've seen others use 2 1/4" diameter exhaust clamps that they purchase from Napa Auto Parts as well, but I wanted the cushioning.

I used black oxide steel u-bolts for 2

[SuperSlideStyle]

Very nicely done.  Impressive...