DIY Roof rack

[Mike W]

I'm looking at using composite fence pickets for the floor in my rack once it gets the extension and added floor braces. I read a post from a guy in Arizona on a different forum thats had it in his rack in a redwood color for over two years and no warping or discoloration or any other problems. I thought about the coop flooring too but I think I like the composite better.

Not a bad idea. I would just think it would get baked pretty easily depending on the stain/finish from sun/rain, but I bet it would look nice.
You would have to come up with a way to mount them. Do you know how he mounted them?

The sheets of polymax flooring happen to be almost perfectly sized for my roof rack and are made to interlock, so it made the install very easy.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

He bolted it to cross beams. Here's the link to the review

 

[kkauweloa]

I used an aluminum ATV ramp from harbor freight painting it with black bed liner paint.


Sent from my iPhone using Overland Bound Talk

 

[TheBarefootFamily]

I have been contemplating the same mod to create a heavier duty roof rack.

Sent from my XT1254 using Overland Bound Talk mobile app

 

[kkauweloa]

Sent from my iPhone using Overland Bound Talk

 

[BEAR]

just don't make it look like this. I saw this on the Central Coast in California.

 

[4xFar Adventures]

If you want to use ratchet straps on your rack, I'd stick with 1" tubing. A good hook will have an opening that can accept a 1" tube. Build a rack that can support a good amount of weight, but don't overload it with gear.

Those "mounting points" in @BEAR's picture are just plain scary!

 

[überlander]

Mine was actually built using 1in EMT tubing lol... It is super light and surprisingly strong, I was standing on it and it didnt even flex, and I weigh 210.

Did you weld at all? I've been kicking around the idea of making one myself using EMT but I don't want to just bolt it all together, I haven't welded in years but I'm hoping to pick one up and try. If you did weld it, do you remember what you used? Appreciate it.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

Did you weld at all? I've been kicking around the idea of making one myself using EMT but I don't want to just bolt it all together, I haven't welded in years but I'm hoping to pick one up and try. If you did weld it, do you remember when you used? Appreciate it.

Yes, it was welded.. Not sure what was used to weld it. Be careful..it is galvanized so the coating is TOXIC!!

 

[überlander]

Yes, it was welded.. Not sure what was used to weld it. Be careful..it is galvanized so the coating is TOXIC!!

I appreciate the warning, I read they were toxic somewhere, I have a mask I can wear, I'll keep researching for what to use, thanks!

 

[PetfishEric]

A basket I did for my YJ years ago using 1/2 EMT. It sat on a Smittybilt rack. Once I received the Smittybilt rack I couldn't bring myself to pay for there basket. The rack was not all that well built and I could have made it for half the price.

 

[überlander]

A basket I did for my YJ years ago using 1/2 EMT. It sat on a Smittybilt rack. Once I received the Smittybilt rack I couldn't bring myself to pay for there basket. The rack was not all that well built and I could have made it for half the price. View attachment 6102

Looks great! I finally started on mine, this is just the beginning I'm planning on taking up the entire roof.

 

[Toyotadirtdevil]

Being new to this what does the EMT stand for?

 

[brianb2]

Electrical Metalic Tubing. It's the electrical conduit you see used in a lot of buildings. You can pick it up a the big box hardware stores.

 

[brianb2]

Once I received the Smittybilt rack I couldn't bring myself to pay for there basket. The rack was not all that well built and I could have made it for half the price.

Looks good, I've been thinking about doing the same. If you would have made your rack as well, would you have fabricated the brackets or bought them? I've been looking at repurposing mirror relocation brackets.

 

[PetfishEric]

I would have made my own brackets if I hadn't picked up the Smittybilt rack. The only reason I spent the money on the Smittybilt rack was because I was able to get it as a price less than I could have picked up the materials at the time. Now for the Ram Charger I will have to build the entire thing because no one makes anything for this bruiser.

 

[Klinton Kehoe]

 

[Klinton Kehoe]

 

[PetfishEric]

With a rack like that you should name your ride Heavy Metal. Then you can blast Don Felder's "Heavy Metal (Takin a ride)". Or ride with Sammy Hagar's "Heavy Metal" same movie.

 

[AdventureWithDanan]

Sent from my iPhone using Overland Bound Talk

I quite like this idea. Just wish my Tundra had roof rack rails on it.