DIY roof rack for under 50 bucks!

Nichkojr.7 · Sep 2, 2015

Hello. I really wanted a roof rack on my xj so I got to looking at buying one and the one that I wanted was over $150!! So I just did some brain storming and made one out of 1/2" conduit. I bought precut 5 footers and 3 10 footers. And they sell pre bent 90 degree angle pieces! Oh and a 8"x24" piece of 1/8" steel

Here is a before pic:

After:

Nichkojr.7 · Sep 3, 2015

ehall · Sep 3, 2015

how did you fasten the upright slats? do you have anything on the bottom to keep cargo off the roof?

Nichkojr.7 · Sep 3, 2015

Yes. There is runners on the bottom to hold the cargo in. I did not weld a single thing just used self tapping screws.

themauler · Sep 3, 2015

:explosion

edgreeson65 · Sep 3, 2015

:gee:

ROBZ95Xj · Sep 3, 2015

So what's the point of it if you can't put anything in it?

Nichkojr.7 · Sep 3, 2015

ROBZ95Xj said:
So what's the point of it if you can't put anything in it?

There is cross pieces in it every 10" or so. So yes you can put stuff inside of it.

iluv83vettes · Sep 3, 2015

Nichkojr.7 said:
There is cross pieces in it every 10" or so. So yes you can put stuff inside of it.

Like air. It looks nice, but that isn't going hold much without breaking. I'm glad you don't live near me if you plan on loading it down.

Nichkojr.7 · Sep 3, 2015

iluv83vettes said:
Like air. It looks nice, but that isn't going hold much without breaking. I'm glad you don't live near me if you plan on loading it down.

Really? Lol. It's not a wobbly pos

iluv83vettes · Sep 3, 2015

Nichkojr.7 said:
Really? Lol. It's not a wobbly pos

Nichkojr.7 said:

Your mounting method is what I would be worried about. How much weight do you suppose that strap is rated for? I would venture to say even less that the u-bolt you have it attached to.

I bet if you tightened it down more that strap would bend quite a bit, just like if the force was pulling it the other way.

Nichkojr.7 · Sep 3, 2015

Im not gonna be gonna be loading cinder blocks up there. The most I will have will be a few treestands. And those u-bolts are pretty sturdy. When I shake on the rack the whole jeep moves. I have 4 u-bolts on each corner so there will be no shimmy/shifting.

iluv83vettes · Sep 3, 2015

Like I said I said, I'm glad I don't live near you.

You could easily just strap the treestands onto the factory rack.

Nichkojr.7 · Sep 3, 2015

iluv83vettes said:
Like I said I said, I'm glad I don't live near you.

You could easily just strap the treestands onto the factory rack.

. Well it gave me something to do and if it does ever break then I'll just fix it or buy a new one. I just proud of my self. Lol not many 16 year olds can fab something like this.

iluv83vettes · Sep 3, 2015

The basket is fine. Your mounting method is what I have a problem with. When I was 16 I had a conduit roof rack. It used 1" steel straps 3/16" thick with bolts on each end like u bolt eliminaters for leaf springs on the factory rack. Try something like that.

xcm · Sep 4, 2015

Nichkojr.7 said:
. Well it gave me something to do and if it does ever break then I'll just fix it or buy a new one. I just proud of my self. Lol not many 16 year olds can fab something like this.

:cheers:

xeroOTG · Sep 4, 2015

Looks cool man, don't mind the trolls.

chesterbuggle · Sep 4, 2015

It's a pretty good idea. Looks good.

DeftwillP · Sep 4, 2015

Getting all cherokeeforum in here.

old_man · Sep 5, 2015

Give the guy a break. At least he is working on his rig.....not like many web fabricators on here.

DIY roof rack for under 50 bucks!

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