rear hatch ladder - pics

[sarvermr]

my xj is still a DD, and between people, 2 big dogs, and gear, my roof rack gets used quite frequently. i've always wanted a rover style ladder to make accessing my roof rack a little easier. i finally made one out of:

15' of 3/4" pipe (1" od)
2' of 2"x2" angle iron
2' or 2" flat stock
1 can primer
1 can rustoleum hammered paint
total cost $35

i bent the tube with a cheap ass harbor freight bender. i used a hand drill and and 1" hole saw for the notches. it is bolted to the top of the hatch on either side of the hinge and the bottom of the hatch too. it rests on my rear bumper. the way it is designed the rear bumper takes about 90% of the weight and the hatch just holds the ladder in place. its strong enough to hold my 260 lb fat ass without even flinching.

the hatch struts are just strong enough to hold it up, but i'll be installing dual struts soon. its not the ultimate poser mod. but probably a close second to a snorkle. oh well. i like it :giveup:



overall picture:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_386_full.jpg

a littel closer:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_387_full.jpg

i tried to follow the XJ body lines:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_385_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_384_full.jpg

side view:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_380_full.jpg

[sarvermr]

bottom attachemnt, you can see how the angle rests on the bumper. it is also bolted through the hatch and has backing plates inside the hatch:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_383_full.jpg

top mounts, it is bolted though the hatch, but i still need to add sheet metal screws to the other holes i drilled:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_381_full.jpg

inside, i need to make some backing plates for these bolts still:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_379_full.jpg

it clears nicely when open:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_377_full.jpg

and barley blocks any view:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_375_full.jpg

what do you think?

[xj-grin]

I think its f'n bad -- nice work.

How much shipped to 80126? :greensmok

[evilpresence]

that is outright silly

[BrettM]

nice job! good work on tying it to the bumper, I definitely wouldn't trust anyone's body weight on the hatch.

[XJ_ranger]

good stuff

i (being the overengineering dont ever want anything to break/bend guy that i am) would worry that the bumper would take a rick and kick up, making the flange at the bottom of the ladder pinched to the bumper, which would suck, but i like the following of body lines
i like the bottom attachment, but im a little worried about the top, not clear that it is all that strong to me...

but then im an internet fabriactor anyway... i fab in cad, because im a college student and dont have room to keep my ratches anywhere but in the rig, much less a welder/tube bender/metal stock laying around...

good times!

[sarvermr]

good stuff

i (being the overengineering dont ever want anything to break/bend guy that i am) would worry that the bumper would take a rick and kick up, making the flange at the bottom of the ladder pinched to the bumper, which would suck,



if i hit my bumper hard enough to do that i have more problems to worry about than my ladder.



i like the bottom attachment, but im a little worried about the top, not clear that it is all that strong to me...


all the weight of the entire thing either sits on the bumper or sits on top of the hatch. all the bolts do is keep the ladder from moving forward or backwards. there is minimal stress on them. that being said, i still want to add the 4 sheet metal screws and make a backing plate for the top bolts. its plenty strong.


and thanks for the compliments everyone.

[kmagnuss_2000]

I think it's awesome. I have a feeling we'll be seeing alot more of them now. Good work.

[Lawn Cher']

I like it alot. If I still kept my tire up top (or even had a rack anymore for that matter) I'd build one too. I like your bumper as well. Is that home brewed or a commercial product? To eliminate metal-on-metal contact for potential paint wear and corrosion, you could consider screwing a strip of hard rubber or plastic (HDPE, UHMW or Acetal) to the underside of the bottom angle piece.

[JeepFreak21]

Nice work!
Billy

[sarvermr]

I like your bumper as well. Is that home brewed or a commercial product? To eliminate metal-on-metal contact for potential paint wear and corrosion, you could consider screwing a strip of hard rubber or plastic (HDPE, UHMW or Acetal) to the underside of the bottom angle piece.

its a 96 and older c4x4 bumper. nothing home brew.

i'm going to use some neoprene and glue it to the angle iron to eliminate rattles etc. its some industrial strength airplane stuff from a buddy that builds airplanes.

[lobsterdmb]

its a 96 and older c4x4 bumper. nothing home brew.

i'm going to use some neoprene and glue it to the angle iron to eliminate rattles etc. its some industrial strength airplane stuff from a buddy that builds airplanes.


I didn't think those bumpers came with a hitch... i guess i was wrong.

John

[Kidbrown29]

Are you going to mas produce the ladder? How much shipped to 48603

[dellstopjeep]

how much shipped to 98685

[Chris S]

Sweet.

If I had a metal hatch I'd be all over that.

[xjj33p3r]

Dude this guy could make killing off this thing. Too bad I don't have a roof rack, or a need to get to the top of my jeep a lot

[y2kxj]

looks nice but isn't it a long way to that first step? I stand on my tire to the same effect but it's a good idea and you executed it well. Nice to see something new.

[CaptTrev]

very F***ing cool man!!!

real nice job!

i would look into selling them somehow (before someone else does anyway)

[Beej]

Looks great. I'm gonna have to make me one of those! :D

[Osprey413]

I've been thinking about doing something similar to that, but I was stuck on the problem of the hatch. I like your idea, and I hope you don't mind if I take some of your ideas to make mine. Thanks!

[CamoXJeep]

That looks great and very clean. Looks like your gonna have some work on your hands now. Damn, I just cant seem to get away from all these projects LOL Now something else to add to my rig. Later and good luck Jeff CamoXJeep

[RichP]

Very nicely done.....

[Gridikal]

sweeet. You gonna coat it with no slip stuff or anything along those lines?

[casm]

Very nice. Good job on that!

[Joe]

Sweet.

If I had a metal hatch I'd be all over that.

Yeah too bad the older xj have fiber glass and only the newer models have the metal ones.

[Bent]

Cool. Beats the snot out of trying to keep the toes on the sliders and move sh!t around on top. Good idea with the weight being transfered to the bumpes when you stand on it.
I like it. If it works, who cares!

[sarvermr]

thanks a lot for the compliments everyone!

I didn't think those bumpers came with a hitch... i guess i was wrong.

John

it was like a $40 add on or something. better clearance and cheaper than a hitch.

looks nice but isn't it a long way to that first step?

yeah, it is quite a step. i thought about a fold down section that would clip to the ladder when not in use, but i could just see that thing flopping everywhere all the time. i'm tall. i can reach it!

sweeet. You gonna coat it with no slip stuff or anything along those lines?

thats a good idea. i may have to try and find something.



i certainly don't mind anyone copying ideas or design to make their own. but i would appreciate it if nobody copies it and starts selling it. i'm looking into a patent right now.

matthew.

[BoostyKid]

wow i think its great. makes me want to do the same.... o yah except im really lazy and thats way to much fab for me. nice job man.

[azxjman]

Even though its not something I would or could to with my truck. I like the fresh idea it is really cool to see something new istead of the same old same old.

[SirFrack]

thats a very nice looking ladder...was just thinking about the bolts going through the top af the hatch...when youre taking that step from the ground onto or off of the ladder arent you pulling away from your jeep instead of the force going straight down?

[sarvermr]

thats a very nice looking ladder...was just thinking about the bolts going through the top af the hatch...when youre taking that step from the ground onto or off of the ladder arent you pulling away from your jeep instead of the force going straight down?

correct. thats really the only time the force isn't going down. its getting pulled back too. thats why i put the attachments directly on either side of the hinge. thats definitely the strongest point of the hatch. when all of my 260 lbs is leaning back on it you can't even see it deflect. i'm confident it will hold. time will tell.

[Chris S]

For non-slip just get some skate board tape.
Or you can buy the same stuff for twice as much cut into nice little strips as 3M Non-slip Tape Strips.

[XJ_ranger]

i'm looking into a patent right now. deffinitely look into that, then sell your design to a company that has time and people to make them, RR or Rustys, with a condition that you get like $5 for everyone produced. you'd be getting like 250 a month, just for that...

[XJZ]

Some Land Rover Disco's have a rear ladder. Might be tough to patent I would think, but I'm no patent expert.

Looks very nice. I was thinking of something along those lines, but to make it removable. The top could hook around the rack and bottom could slide into the receiver hitch. It's there only when you need it and it wouldn't matter if your hatch is metal or glass.

[Chris S]

Some Land Rover Disco's have a rear ladder. Might be tough to patent I would think, but I'm no patent expert.

Looks very nice. I was thinking of something along those lines, but to make it removable. The top could hook around the rack and bottom could slide into the receiver hitch. It's there only when you need it and it wouldn't matter if your hatch is metal or glass.

Good thought, but I would still put some "legs" onto the bumper or out wider on the hitch, otherwise the rack has to handle any wobbling from the slop in the reciever.

[Ludakris]

Nice work, that came out 100 times better than I had expected. I saw your origanal post and was a bit sceptical at the idea, but that thing looks factory.

[Fergie]

Sarvermr- Can you put up a pic of your entire roofrack? It looks like we built almost exact replicas of each others racks, and I'd like to see the rest of your's.

On another note, I have drawn up something similar to your ladder, but mine is over the spare carrier, C4x4 bumper too. I have mine mounting to the swing arm, then braced and attached to the actual tire mount, but I have figured a good system to get it attched to the rack so that the swing arm can actually move.

Good work.

Fergie

[sarvermr]

thanks again for all the compliments everyone!

Sarvermr- Can you put up a pic of your entire roofrack? It looks like we built almost exact replicas of each others racks, and I'd like to see the rest of your's.

On another note, I have drawn up something similar to your ladder, but mine is over the spare carrier, C4x4 bumper too. I have mine mounting to the swing arm, then braced and attached to the actual tire mount, but I have figured a good system to get it attched to the rack so that the swing arm can actually move.

Good work.

Fergie

yeah, they do look a lot alike. i noticed that after you built yours.

my first plan was to build a tire carrier and mount the ladder to the arm too, but it just started to look like the carrier was never going to happen so i built this. i just keep the tire up top for DD duties and then take it off when i wheel. i don't really have any ideas on how you could attach the ladder to the rack.

here are some pics:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_231_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_331_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_352_full.jpg

[Fergie]

The swing arm is rated high enough, I think...but considering the design I see no reason to think otherwise.

Maybe some kind of bolt coming up through the flooring with a hole drilled through it for a cotter pin. Dont know though, gotta think about it more.

I just need to make sure the swing arm can work without much hassle from the ladder.

The main reason I want the ladder is that the rack is large enough for my wife and I to sleep on, and I dont want her to have to climb on and off the rack in weird ways if she needs to get down. As of now, the bumper and tire are our ladder, so hopefully that'll change.

Fergie

[biscuitboy87]

good job. i made something similar (almost ident.) one from CroMo, one from AL, and another out of Ti...
again sweet job man!

[SyCo]

deffinitely look into that, then sell your design to a company that has time and people to make them, RR or Rustys, with a condition that you get like $5 for everyone produced. you'd be getting like 250 a month, just for that...

Good luck, patents are crazy expensive. That's why alot of small guys who fabricate products have their ideas stolen by bigger companies (Kilby gas tank skid, jacked by Warn, BPI bumpers, jacked by MORE). It sucks to see the small guy get owned like that, but unless you have big bucks and/or a lawyer, it's gonna happen.

Might be better off like ranger said and sell the designs to another company, so you can at least make some profit.

Either way, your ladder looks sweet, nice work.

[Capt. Nemo]

Very nice ladder. It's fun to see others fabricating, and even better when it's done well. Very professional looking. I'm not sure I'd trust it on an older fiberglass hatch, but for the new steel ones it looks like it works out very well. I can see you put alot of thought into how to mount the top and still have the hatch open. Cool.

[sarvermr]

i looked into patents. holy $hit! over $2000 just for application and processing fees. yes 2 thousand, not hundred. i can't even imagine how much a patent attorney would charge to do it. thats definitely not going to happen.

and thanks some more for the compliments.

[toyworx]

i looked into patents. holy $hit! over $2000 just for application and processing fees. yes 2 thousand, not hundred. i can't even imagine how much a patent attorney would charge to do it. thats definitely not going to happen.

and thanks some more for the compliments.


First...nice work.

On that patent, don't bother. I've been through it. It'd be a waste of time for you. It would take any one of those companies about 5 minutes to make one variation that would get them around your patent. All it takes is one very small change for them to claim theirs is different and therefore doesn't violate the patent.

[Chris S]

Yep, and about $15,000 to try to fight it even if they make an exact copy.

[Chris S]

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_352_full.jpg


Who needs a ladder? you can get at the rack real easy in that last pic.

[casm]

correct. thats really the only time the force isn't going down. its getting pulled back too. thats why i put the attachments directly on either side of the hinge. thats definitely the strongest point of the hatch. when all of my 260 lbs is leaning back on it you can't even see it deflect. i'm confident it will hold. time will tell.

Just thinking out loud here... What about using the bolt points inside the top of the hatch that the stock hinges affix to?

Basically, you'd drill holes inline with the existing hinge bolt mounts through the top lip of the hatch and then use longer bolts to fasten the ladder and stock hinge through them. A couple more drilled in parallel with that and the whole thing hangs off of an existing stress point.

I'm not sure if this would provide more or less integrity than the way you've already done it, but it might be worth considering. FWIW, though, I still think that's a damn nice job.

Also, you mentioned doubling up the struts... Can you please post pics of that once it's done? I'd like to see what an install looks like.

[scoobyxj]

inside, i need to make some backing plates for these bolts still:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_379_full.jpg
If you where to add a bracket to tie the bolts to the sheet metal. It would greatly increase the streangth of it not wanting to pull back. Do you see what im talking about? A "L" bracket from the bolts to the sheet metal where the sticker is on the right side.

BTW that is a very good looking ladder. If it ever comes up missing don't come looking on my jeep.:angel:

[sarvermr]

Just thinking out loud here... What about using the bolt points inside the top of the hatch that the stock hinges affix to?

Basically, you'd drill holes inline with the existing hinge bolt mounts through the top lip of the hatch and then use longer bolts to fasten the ladder and stock hinge through them. A couple more drilled in parallel with that and the whole thing hangs off of an existing stress point.

I'm not sure if this would provide more or less integrity than the way you've already done it, but it might be worth considering. FWIW, though, I still think that's a damn nice job.

Also, you mentioned doubling up the struts... Can you please post pics of that once it's done? I'd like to see what an install looks like.

that might work. the bolts mount to the face of the bumper, not the top, so the ladder design would have to be slightly different.

sa far as the struts, i'll post up the pics when i get the time to finish it.


If you where to add a bracket to tie the bolts to the sheet metal. It would greatly increase the streangth of it not wanting to pull back. Do you see what im talking about? A "L" bracket from the bolts to the sheet metal where the sticker is on the right side.



thats a really good idea. i'm definitely going to do that. i'll bend a piece of angle untill its at the correct angle and then use sheetmetal screws to attach it to the other face you are looking at. thanks!

[bknudtsen]

Here's another idea for people who do not want to attach the ladder to the rear liftgate.

http://ultra.litpixel.com:90/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=1186&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&sid=2f3470a98d1e60aa49a0e92023ca9ece

[dogtired]

Here's another idea for people who do not want to attach the ladder to the rear liftgate.

http://ultra.litpixel.com:90/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=1186&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&sid=2f3470a98d1e60aa49a0e92023ca9ece

slick! very cool design in making the attachment to a "one" piece that hooks up to the rack. Very nice in not making holes to the XJ. Sweet! ;)

:viking:

[sarvermr]

slick! very cool design in making the attachment to a "one" piece that hooks up to the rack. Very nice in not making holes to the XJ. Sweet! ;)

:viking:


it would be even sweeter if it actually was an XJ!

that is really nice. if i had a tire carrier i'd want one of those instead. but i do think that top latch would suck. it sucks bad enough just getting into the hatch of suv's with a tire carrier.

[bknudtsen]

it would be even sweeter if it actually was an XJ!

I thought it was cool too. I found it cruising the Xterra forums trying to figure out a problem with my girlfriend's rig.

that is really nice. if i had a tire carrier i'd want one of those instead. but i do think that top latch would suck. it sucks bad enough just getting into the hatch of suv's with a tire carrier.

Looks like he tied it into the spare tire carrier upright, so that should provide some strength when you climb up and pull the top pin. Maybe you could use a door striker pin and door handle at the top. That way you would could just open it like a door and slam it shut when closing it.

I agree that it would be a pain to use if you got into the rear hatch a lot, but if you already have to deal with the spare tire carrier, this does not complicate it that much. Although, if you have a high lift, then the climb would get old. Still it's just more food for thought.

Brad

[xjj33p3r]

That ladder on the Xterra looks a bit hard to climb up. The tire seems to be covering about half of the step! I like the xj ladder much better.

[OT]

Am I the only one that thinks this guy is crazy for putting his dogs up on the rack with his gear? Sicko.

[sarvermr]

Am I the only one that thinks this guy is crazy for putting his dogs up on the rack with his gear? Sicko.


i assume you are talking about me?

my xj is still a DD, and between people, 2 big dogs, and gear, my roof rack gets used quite frequently.


i hope you are just kidding, but if not i'll clarify.

between people and 2 big dogs, there isn't much room in my XJ for gear. therefore, the roof rack gets used quite frequently FOR GEAR. hence the need for the ladder.

summary: living things go INSIDE the XJ.
non-living things go on the roof rack
the only exception to that is when my girlfriend ****es me off. then she rides on the rack.

[MaXJohnson]

Am I the only one that thinks this guy is crazy for putting his dogs up on the rack with his gear? Sicko.

No, the dogs agree with you :)

sarvermr, your ladder looks great, by the way. Nice clean design and workmanship.

[sarvermr]

why can't i type pi$$e$? when i type pi$$e$ it automatically changes to ****es. whats this world coming to? you can type XXXX all you want, but can't type ****es!

[Yucca-Man]

Ladder? It's a Cherokee...not an RV. If I have to reach above the roofline I stand on the tire or on the step-rails and reach whatever I need.

[bknudtsen]

Ladder? It's a Cherokee...not an RV. If I have to reach above the roofline I stand on the tire or on the step-rails and reach whatever I need.

True, however I believe that he said that he and his wife sleep up top on the roof rack, so the ladder would be appropriate and useful mod in his situation. IMO

Brad

[John90XJ]

Nice work but my only question is....why?

I'm a fellow fatass and it seems that my 32" BFG step ladders, which come in a right and left version, work really well when getting gear on the roof. Is your wife short or is there some other reason for needing it?

Other than the "form follows function" question, it is a nicely produced unit. It would look even better if you added the Land Rover Recovery Team sticker on the back window right below it.

[y2kxj]

Nice work but my only question is....why?

I'm a fellow fatass and it seems that my 32" BFG step ladders, which come in a right and left version, work really well when getting gear on the roof. Is your wife short or is there some other reason for needing it?

Other than the "form follows function" question, it is a nicely produced unit. It would look even better if you added the Land Rover Recovery Team sticker on the back window right below it.
I thought the same thing 'till I read that he and his wife sleep up there. It'd be damn hard to get up there without the ladder.

[sarvermr]

I am not married nor do i sleep on my roof.

i built the ladder simply for the convience of getting things on and off the roof as well as being able to climb up on the roof. its actually quite convient to be able to sit on your roof for things like 4wd competitions, mudbogs, taking pictures through your neighbors windows, etc. i didn't build this thinking it would get used daily. but it sure will be nice when i actually need to get on the roof not having to roll my window down and climb up that way. and besides, i think it looks cool. i said from the very begining "its not the ultimate poser mod. but probably a close second to a snorkle." its not a necessity, but i had some time and felt like building something. i think it turned out very well.

matthew

if i had my ladder here i wouldn't of had to pick mud out of my window seals for the next week!

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/242000-242999/242380_325_full.jpg

[bknudtsen]

I am not married nor do i sleep on my roof.

Sorry, I got you mixed up with Fergie.

Brad

[Fergie]

Sorry, I got you mixed up with Fergie.

Brad
Yes ya did!

While the wife isnt short at 5'9", I dont think that she likes climbing on to the bumper, then the tire carrier, and then on to the rack.

I messed around with some designs this weekend, and have come up with a pretty decent design. It will bare the load on the bumper, but be attached to the swing arm, and have a quick disco like on the X-terra ladder design.

Once I get some time this winter, I'll get it fabbed up.

Fergie

PS- How far from Snoqualmie(sp?) are you?

[bknudtsen]

Yes ya did!

While the wife isnt short at 5'9", I dont think that she likes climbing on to the bumper, then the tire carrier, and then on to the rack.

I messed around with some designs this weekend, and have come up with a pretty decent design. It will bare the load on the bumper, but be attached to the swing arm, and have a quick disco like on the X-terra ladder design.

Once I get some time this winter, I'll get it fabbed up.

Fergie

Sounds cool. Anything to keep the wife happy and the mods coming.

[Buck Jackson]

Holy ding dong you done it!! Looks great. Actually a lot cleaner than mine. I'm going to have to rethink my setup now. :)
Buck :canada:

[NHextremeXJ]

The problem with mass producing this ladder is that you would need different brackets for every bumper manufacturer. :dunno:

[Gojeep]

You waited 6 months to say that???

[NHextremeXJ]

I'm in a different time zone. :spin1:

[Plays For Jeeps]

badass, pure badass

[tupton]

Damn!! Nice work. I think it looks sweet as hell.

[riverfever]

I like it a lot. We do tons of camping and try and keep most of our crap up top in the roof basket too. My gal is 5'2" and it's impossible for her to get up there and get in the cooler or whatever. It's not a problem if I'm there but if I'm fishing then she's hosed. Good work.

[Plays For Jeeps]

^ I think Ill try my luck at the junk yard at a Land Roover or a old van :)

Ladders for from the JY are only $5 each.

[xj_mike]

For those not interested in building their own and has a couple hundred to blow, you can buy one already made.

http://www.gobiracks.com/Jeep/ :D

[ktilcu]

looks sweet!!:clap:

[flexy92xj]

diggin it, good to see some of the fab possible with a HF bender. Enjoy what you built and forget the patent and marketing... let people take your idea and run with it on their own... built not bought! Nice work!

[ren]

Very nice. Have you considered maybe a "cutout" or recessed type step built into the bumper for easier access to the ladder itself? I'm going to build one for my wifes' XJ, with the step, since she is barely 5" tall.

[Gojeep]

Very nice. Have you considered maybe a "cutout" or recessed type step built into the bumper for easier access to the ladder itself? I'm going to build one for my wifes' XJ, with the step, since she is barely 5" tall.

Micro wife at only 5 inches tall! ;)
Dont need a ladder then as you could just hand ball her up there. :)

[ren]

HA, HA, Gojeep. You know what I mean. Then again, at 5" tall, I would save alot of money going to the movies if I just toss her in my pocket. Hmmm.

[XJFitchKid]

Awesome setup! What kinda bumpers do you have? Looking into bumpers an those are badass!

[Gojeep]

HA, HA, Gojeep. You know what I mean. Then again, at 5" tall, I would save alot of money going to the movies if I just toss her in my pocket. Hmmm.

:) There was a song about just that too in the 60's. Cant think of it just now?

[Stumpalump]

http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Store/dm/category_id.217406--dz.4498--view_id.217406

This is a link to boat ladders. You could get a cheap boarding ladder and hook it onto your roof rack and bungie it to the rack when not in use.

[dsgray16]

whats your point?

This guy integrated a homemade ladder in thats looks better and is much safer and more secure...

[sonofa]

1. That ladder looks badass.
2. This thread was started in 2004!!

[Stumpalump]

[quote=dsgray16]whats your point?


37 dollars for a ladder that will get you onto your roof rack? Ideas for those that can think outside the box? For sombody with the skill to work with somthing that is not an expensive bolt on goodie? For someone that likes the look of a teak ladder? For sombody that only needs a ladder for a few camping trips a year? To just toss out alternative ideas?

[Onkover]

True, however I believe that he said that he and his wife sleep up top on the roof rack, so the ladder would be appropriate and useful mod in his situation. IMO

Brad

Sort of like how I don't drink, but the wife does. THe best mod on my rig she thinks the the bottle opener on the bumper!!

[Plays For Jeeps]

^Well I tore apart the junk yard today and the only Land Rover I found was stripped. Off to the drawing board.

[mud-dog27]

im so jelous that i dont have a metal hatch....GRRRRRRRRRRR......that is the most badass functional fab ive seen in a while

[sjx40250]

Are the struts strong enough to lift and keep the hatch open? Does it now need assist to open all the way?

[fubar XJ]

Are the struts strong enough to lift and keep the hatch open? Does it now need assist to open all the way?

Good point. The struts on my hatch ('91) are barely strong enough to hold the hatch itself fully upright, and I just replaced them about a year ago.


A similar ladder with hooks on top to nest on the back rail of the roof rack that you could stow atop the roof rack would be practical for the occasional need to access the roof.

But make no mistake, the ladder as is is a very cool mod, no disrespect intended.

[sjx40250]

There might be a substitute strut that has more pressure to deal with the extra weight.

[Gojeep]

There might be a substitute strut that has more pressure to deal with the extra weight.

I had a problem with too much assistance with the struts after I replaced the rear window glass with polycarbonate. Maybe that is an idea and have a near unbreakable window to boot. ;)

[steelmen]

HA, HA, Gojeep. You know what I mean. Then again, at 5" tall, I would save alot of money going to the movies if I just toss her in my pocket. Hmmm.

but none the less whats the good out of that...if you catch my drift:laugh2:

[evil dead]

im building a rack for my bike that is quite similar it attaches to the rack and bumper though with a pin on top so it drops down to open the hatch

[Plays For Jeeps]

Is a metal hatch better for support reason or will 96' Fiber Glass hatch work?

Thanks guys!

[yossarian19]

Pics no worky... anyone still have them? I remember it being real helpful for my own plans...

[OK Cherokee]

Back to the question about 'glass vs. metal hatches....

Couldn't you just swap a newer hatch to obtain a metal hatch?

[ehall]

Couldn't you just swap a newer hatch to obtain a metal hatch?
no they are completely different mounting and body lines

[drifto77]

Pics no worky... anyone still have them? I remember it being real helpful for my own plans...

Found these by looking at his profile......

BTW......
I like it. ;)


http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/970/2601/2423800419_large.jpg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/970/2601/2423800416_large.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/970/2601/2423800411_large.jpg


These are from just page 1.
He has 16 pages, didnt look at all of 'em.... might be more.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/242380

[ehall]

that looks like a modified version of the Gobi H2 ladder (http://gobiusa.com/store.php?crn=79) although it's different enough to be something else

personally I find the 4x4labs split-swing ladder (http://forum.ih8mud.com/az-copper-state-cruisers/142286-4x4labs-rear-bumper-build.html#post1937155) to be the most interesting design

[ReverendOD]

If I had a aftermarket rear bumper I would make one, but i wonder how the stock bumper would hold up? Porably not bad since it wont see much of the weight.

[Markos]

If I had a aftermarket rear bumper I would make one, but i wonder how the stock bumper would hold up? Porably not bad since it wont see much of the weight.

Well you can stand on the stock bumper all day long with no issues, so I would imagine that it would work fine. I really like the fab work and ingenuity of this project, but the application isn't that worthwhile IMO unless you were sleeping up there. Otherwise, why not just stand on a rock rail, the door frame, or the rear tire. Before I had rock rails, I always put one fut on the tire and one on the rear door. I don't see much value in having access to the very back of a cargo rack.

[ReverendOD]

I like the idea of being able to get up there to sit when at the races, or anyonwhere else height would be an advantage.