Randy went with me on Thursday and we bought steel. 4x8 sheet of expanded, 80ft. of 3/4 square, and 20ft. of 1 1/2 flat.

I still wasn't happy with the design from my posts above. I did a bunch of searching online and found this one I really liked.



Then, I finally started cutting and welding this week/weekend. I haven't welded since I was in high school, so I wasted at least 5-6 hours practicing my skills. These pictures were taken earlier today and I've done a bit more assembly since then.

The first picture is the top and bottom. I was trying to figure out the height. My magnets are 4" and I ended up going with 5" peices, so it sits a little higher/deeper. From the bottom of the cargo area, to the top of the top rail is going to be about 6".

The second picture is the bottom of the rack sitting in position on the roof.

Roof rack progress this week has been disappointing. I'm thinking I can get it ready for paint by the end of this coming weekend though.

Oh, and... I ordered a set of these last night. :rockon::rockon::rockon:

Oh, and... I ordered a set of these last night.

Cool Virgil. Bigger to fill them wells better?

Skatchkins wrote:Cool Virgil. Bigger to fill them wells better?

No, ordered same size: 31x10.50R15. I was tempted for some 33's. Got them for $179 each installed. Special order, so they should be here sometime next week.

Very very cool. Nice work Virgil!

d

Well, I've got a little more welding to do, but the main basket is done. I have to add some tabs for my lights. I'm going to start working on getting it mounted to the roof tomorrow night.

No photos, but I'm getting close. Was welding up the last of the joints tonight and ran out of wire. Then I cut out the mesh floor and a couple tabs that I'll mount lights on. Once those are welded on, I'm ready for paint.

cool. gonna be ready for Moab?

offroadaz wrote:cool. gonna be ready for Moab?

Yep. That's the goal.

Well, it looks like a roof rack.

Wow, looks good Virgil. I think it'll look good on your Jeep.

d

K7AZV wrote:Well, it looks like a roof rack.

That it does. Paint it and bolt it up!

Nice job!

I call dibs on the first ride in it!

Since the picture, I was able to weld on the light tabs and a bracket for the CB antenna. I also welded the expanded metal down as it's just sitting on there in the last picture. I cleaned up some of the welds with the grinder that looked like boogers and rewelded them if needed. It's ready for paint. I plan to do that Sunday morning.

So what's the best way to mount a tire on the roof?

So far, the best idea I've heard/come up with is to get a big threaded bar. Something like 1/2" or 5/8" and weld a nut to the bottom/center of my roof rack. Thread the bar into the nut and place the tire on top of it. With a large washer or some kind of plate over the top/center of the tire, thread another nut to tighten it down.

I'm thinking I'll just paint up the rack and get it installed and worry about tire mounting later. For now, the spare can ride in the cargo area where it has been.

K7AZV wrote:

So what's the best way to mount a tire on the roof?

ratchet strap it down?

K7AZV wrote:
So far, the best idea I've heard/come up with is to get a big threaded bar. Something like 1/2" or 5/8" and weld a nut to the bottom/center of my roof rack. Thread the bar into the nut and place the tire on top of it. With a large washer or some kind of plate over the top/center of the tire, thread another nut to tighten it down.

.

That's how mine is mounted. Good for freeing up space. If it went to Moab though, the tire would come inside on the trails for better stability off camber

K7AZV wrote:Since the picture, I was able to weld on the light tabs and a bracket for the CB antenna. I also welded the expanded metal down as it's just sitting on there in the last picture. I cleaned up some of the welds with the grinder that looked like boogers and rewelded them if needed. It's ready for paint. I plan to do that Sunday morning.

I just burned through 6 cans of spray paint. I need to get 1 more and do a touch up coat and it's ready to be mounted. Here's a picture as it looked before paint with the quoted stuff above done.

Ok... I'll say it.

"Virgil, you have a great rack, man."

:red|