custom built roof rack

x550x · 01-19-2006, 05:55 PM

I am planning on fabricating a steel roof rack.

It is going to be approximately 65"x45" and it will mount to the gutters.

Does anyone know what a good wall thickness for the steel would be?

I want it to be strong any yet not weigh a ton.

I am planning on using 3/4" square stock.

Thanks!

olds442 · 01-19-2006, 05:59 PM

whenever its done id like to see pics

**coppertop71** · 01-19-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x550x

I am planning on fabricating a steel roof rack.

It is going to be approximately 65"x45" and it will mount to the gutters.

Does anyone know what a good wall thickness for the steel would be?

I want it to be strong any yet not weigh a ton.

I am planning on using 3/4" square stock.

Thanks!

I used 3/4 square tubing for mine along with some steel plates for light mounts and expanded steel for the floor. I have some measurements on the link below if you need them. I also have pics on my signature link.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/roof-rack-info-181015/

If you need rain gutter brackets and rods here is a place to get a set of 5" high mounts. I'm running 5" so I can wash under it.

http://www.a1-autoracks.com/rain-gutter-roof-racks.html

Jeepernick · 01-19-2006, 06:36 PM

Mine is custom... one of a kind

Good Luck

x550x · 01-19-2006, 06:44 PM

Here are my rough plans. There are no light tabs or mounts shown. I will probably add them during the build.

What do you think? Would you change anything?

x550x · 01-19-2006, 06:47 PM

Thanks for the link.

I really need to know what wall thickness to use. It needs to be a balance between strength and weight.

**coppertop71** · 01-19-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x550x

Thanks for the link.

I really need to know what wall thickness to use. It needs to be a balance between strength and weight.

I'm not sure but it was proably 1/16th square tubing. The fact that its tubing help the strength factor and allows you to loose wieght by going thin.

Waht the plans say for your hieght on the sides and how are you doing the corners?

If you can find use of a tube bender think about cutting the corners into angle to get away from the square boxy look. What if the hieght of the sides. I believe mine is 4" deep and I can say I wished now I would have went 1-2 more inchs. I put light puffy stuff like tentage, tarps, pole bags on mine then use the inside for the heavy stuff. Anyway that stuff just kinda rolls over the sides between the straps I think a few inches more and it would look more secure.

NYCXJ90 · 01-19-2006, 08:38 PM

I used 16 gauge 1" square tubing, I think my dimensions are like 64"x54"x6" (depth):

Gonna add some more front to back bars and tire and hi lift mounts as well as integrating my light bar onto the rack itself.

As of right now I can stand on any one of those bars and bounce up and down with VERY little flex.

x550x · 01-19-2006, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. I did some searching and found that most companies use 3/4" 16 guage steel. I will probably use 16 or 14 guage.

I am planning on making the basket about 5" deep. I don't really want to go much taller than that.

If I don't go with the radius on the corners, I will probably do a 45 degree octagonal looking thing to keep it from being a perfect rectangle.