Roof Rack

[out cast]

So I was bored today, unemployed, and decided I wanted to fire up my welder. I looked around and found some 3/4" square tube with a semi thick wall and decided I had enough to build a roof rack. Used my sawzall for cutting so nothing was PERFECTLY straight as far as cuts but anyways...

46" wide, 53 1/2" long. rack is 6" tall

How it started...

Bottom getting close...

Top Started

Sitting flat on the truck (no legs or bracing)

Need Opinions...

Middle...

or Rear...

Pipe Thickness...

Done for the night

Thoughts????

 

[BeefStew42791]

I'd go for the rear, or even the front..its just that if you choose the center you have the same amount of extra storage, but its split in half so if you need to grab something larger (case in point = frekkin huge cooler) you're sol.

 

[mud390]

Have you thought about how heavy that wheel combo is and getting it on and off that rack when the need arises? Good start on the rack, by the way!

Kris

 

[r1hatman]

I say rear for more storage and easier to get to when you need it, and I agree with mud 390, that's gonna be a heavy sumbich to get out of there! You need to make were you can slide it down the back a little for loading and unloading. Looks good though. I want to do one with aluminum and allumalloy. has anyone use that stuff?

 

[Bennybooster]

I think it looks better in the middle but its probably more useful in the back.

 

[88_Eddie]

what if you used some cotter pins on the back somehow and you could open the roof rack like a truck tailgate?

looks good, i'm gonna build myself one down the road

 

[out cast]

Yeah i have thought about it. For as often as its gonna come down(once in a blue moon) i'm not too worried about it. I built a "shelf" rear bumper, meaning it sticks out far enough to stand on comfortably, so standing on that and dropping it down from there won't be an issue.

So a few more votes for rear mount and its gonna be going there. I just need to figure out how to mount it to where it won't be too heavy. Then do a floor in it. Grind it down and figure out mounting.

 

[BONES]

Build a swing out rear bumper mounted tire carrier and use the rack for coolers and ropes and such. LOL. You sure you can lift that 33 above your head?

 

[out cast]

I'm a small guy but I'm stout. standing on my rear bumper it wouldn't be over my head. lol

No this is just a temp tire mount. When I get the funds up or the spare steel, I will be doing a swing away tire mount with a jerry can holder.

 

[Scotty J.]

Man, I wish I had that kind to talent. Oh, nice Serious Explorations sticker

 

[out cast]

yeah i'm just learning as I go. I'm learning a lot of welding techniques. Also learning new ways to do things like cutting the steel. I used to be scared of using the cut off wheel on a grinder because i've seen the damage it can do to faces, legs, stomachs, etc. when the blade comes apart.

 

[Scotty J.]

Be like the pros, always wear eye and hand protection. That's one thing my buddy does at his muffler shop.

 

[88_Eddie]

or, be like the pros and use name brand cutting wheels (dewalt, riggid, etc.) i've had my 4.5" dewalt angle grinder for 7 years and not once have i have had a wheel fly off or shatter on me. i guess i could just be lucky....or i just cursed myself

 

[clifford97]

Nice rack! haha, spare deff in the rear, that way there is at least some functional room for something else infront. also some lights on the front bar would look shweet! and i dont know if you use or have a place for a hi-lift but you could weld the mounting bracket to the side of it while you still have it off the exploder. either way still frikkin sweet and you can say you made it yourself

 

[Bennybooster]

Nice rack! haha, spare deff in the rear, that way there is at least some functional room for something else infront. also some lights on the front bar would look shweet! and i dont know if you use or have a place for a hi-lift but you could weld the mounting bracket to the side of it while you still have it off the exploder. either way still frikkin sweet and you can say you made it yourself

Dude hecka old thread, he dosnt even have the sploder anymore