Custom Roof Basket Build Thread

sa weeeeet!

 

Update on the paint:

I just dropped my basket off at the powder coaters today. The aerosol paint sucked terribly. It was chipping off very easily. So I took it in to have it done right, that way I won't have to worry about it. I'll post pics of the powder coating.

The rails are coming along. Woohoo for slo-mo projects!

 

that looks bad ass.....

 

That is absolutely correct!! Takes A LOT of practice to be good, but almost anyone can run a bead!!

 

That looks awesome! I really want a roof basket but I don't really like any of the ones that you can buy. Now I just need to learn how to weld...

 

So many stickers but no TW sticker ..... Sad ! very Sad! Good work btw ...

 

What type of welder are you using on the basket? My friend was telling me that his wire feed welder wouldnt work on the emt conduit because the metal is too soft. I am going to do some research it on it because I would really like to build something like this for my topper. Nice build by the way.

 

Thanks! I used a wire feed mig welder. You have to be careful with the conduit though becuase 1) you'll burn right through it if your settings aren't right and 2) you need to weld in a well ventilated area and wear a nice respirator. The zinc in the galvanization is terrible for you when welded on. I made the mistake of not doing that (welding in a shop w/o a respirator) and I had a killer headache and sore jaw muscles each time after I got done welding! It's definitely doable with a wire feed, just use one that has an adjustable current and wire feed setting, you should be fine.

 

I have been looking for something like this, I want it great job

 

I wish I had the time to fab these up for other owners. It's not a terribly hard job (except for bending the pipe, that was hard to get right). It's just time consuming. There are definitely ways to build it quicker though. I could have saved ALOT of time by not placing my support tubes at 45 degrees. Welding on the acute side of the angle is not fun. Plus, the extra time you spend on the getting the length just right. Then there is a lot of trial and error in bending the pipes to get them to fit right. The less bending, the better!

 

Im sure it was a bitch to make. I could never do anything like that. I really wish I woulda taken welding in High School so I could do shit like this to my truck. . haha. Looks great though. How are you mounting it to the roof rack?

 

I guess with the welding I am just going to have to do some trial and error until I can get everything dialed in. I will just have to purchase some extra EMT to be sure I have some practice material. We have a master electrician at the company I work for, and we have all of the bending tools, so I am going to see if he will help me. Once I get started I will let you know how everything is going and possibly have some questions. The design is done, just need to get started.

 

How do you get the tires and wheel to stick out past the fenders? Buy bigger tires and wheels? or buy spacers? the tires I have now are 12.5. that brings them flush to the wheel well. I just want and extra 2.5 inches to stick out.

 

That sounds like a pretty good plan to me. It's easy to buy extra EMT. At ~$4 per 10ft, it's darn cheap. Getting the help on the bending will be huge! I wish I had those resources. Keep me posted on the progress!

 

We'll just pretend this post doesn't exist in this thread..

 

lol

Good job Kellon, awesome work!

 

Pics installed on truck please!!

 

I've got some mock up pics for you guys. I've still got some painting and sealing to do before it's finalized, but you get the idea of what it's going to look like. Let me know what yall think!







Here's the crossbars that I made. These will stay on the truck permanently while I'll be able to take off the basket easily.

 

That is SICK. Any plans on a lift? I cant remember if you said anything

 

Looks good. You should make it a little wider to grab the lines of the truck you allready have the angle right from the side just move it out a couple inches on each side and you would be golden. Anything over the roof line should be built out of aluminum for half the weight however price does go up. You could also make it a little lower. I am sure you decided the height from the size of your lights though. Nice job pretty sweet rack. Later Cam-shaft.