anthrax323
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
This weekend, I finally started building the roof rack I've been envisioning... But thus far, only the mounting system is done. Basically 1.5" x 0.125" steel strap with 1/4-20 weld nuts internally, and an identical strap on the roof that will serve as the base of the rack.
This rack will incorporate tree sliders (1.25" 11ga DOM), so I'm also considering tying the rack into the two centermost "ribs" on the roof via similar means directly over/straddling the stamped roof crossmembers inside the vehicle. Once in place, I'd strip the crossmember at a couple points (fore/aft edges) and punch it up against the strap, and then spot weld it for good measure. Again, still not 100% on this, but it has definitely come up in my brains.
Anyway, pics:
I'll post more pics as progress is made, but the current task is practicing welding the 1" x 2" x 0.125" box tube (foot/standoff material) to the strap using my little Lincoln Weldpak 100 HD... Penetration isn't *quite* what I want yet, but I should have that worked out by this evening.
This rack will incorporate tree sliders (1.25" 11ga DOM), so I'm also considering tying the rack into the two centermost "ribs" on the roof via similar means directly over/straddling the stamped roof crossmembers inside the vehicle. Once in place, I'd strip the crossmember at a couple points (fore/aft edges) and punch it up against the strap, and then spot weld it for good measure. Again, still not 100% on this, but it has definitely come up in my brains.
Anyway, pics:
I'll post more pics as progress is made, but the current task is practicing welding the 1" x 2" x 0.125" box tube (foot/standoff material) to the strap using my little Lincoln Weldpak 100 HD... Penetration isn't *quite* what I want yet, but I should have that worked out by this evening.