Metal Fab Questions

It's beginning to appear that I may be using the MJ for NACFest and possibly Moab rather than Old Faithful. I've been looking for a short safari-type rack that would be big enough to cover the MJ roof without extending to the front or the rear. Rear won't work because I have an over-height cap which, if I use it, would be an interference fit. I don't want the rack to extend out over the windscreen where I see it while driving.

Shortest standard safari racks I've found are about 48 inches long. I figure 30" is the absolute max and I'd prefer 24", with a width of 52" to match an XJ safari rack. Nobody makes it -- closest item I can find is a 1-1/4" hitch-hauler type rack in the Quadratec catalog that measures 21" x 48". That would work, but I'd prefer something the right size.

Does anyone have the capability to bend and weld up two rectangular hoops with rounded corners, 24" x 52" outside dimensions? I'd prefer to use 3/4" square tube but round would be okay. If I can find someone who can do the bends and make up the hoops, I can add the floor and make gutter brackets.

Or should I just pay Quadratec and adapt their rack to a set of gutter brackets? They want $120 for theirs, plus shipping.

My Dad & Brother built a stock trailer a few years ago, and bent their own roof ribs, made from 3/4" x 1 1/2" rectangular tubing.

They built a jig with the proper radius, and filled the tubes with sand. Heat them up with a rosette torch, and gently bend them around the jig.

I have a funny feeling that may be a little more fabricating than you want for just 8 corners.

ChiXJeff

Eagle I can bend up 1" square tube in a 6" centerline radius. Either e-mail me or pm me with info about ehat you want and we should be able to work something out.

XmikeJ

eagle....

I can send you some various "crush bent" corners that you coould weld straight sections onto, otherwise, my bender (not the one pictured in recent thread) will preoccupied for some time.....