JD's Slow Homemade Roof/Light Rack

oh thats more like .050-.060

If you get 3/4" .060wall tube it will probably be easier to weld. No coating to worry about and it might bend with a conduit bender. and same weight per foot.

More expensive though.

something to consider

 

To make the mounts just bend steeland bolt to the factory holes like the guy did in that one rack build

 

I just subtracted the ID from OD. lol

Are you talking about the one where it was like a sideways U and the weather stripping sat in it and the bolt went through?

 

oh, then divide by two lol

two walls in the OD

 

Yes that one! He put four square lights on the front

 

Ah silly me. I can barely keep my eyes open. My day just ended. I knew that sounded too thick. lol

 

i hear ya... just bustin'

 

I do like that idea. However, from the bottom frame I will have the little legs for each mount. Then probably add a flat piece to the bottom. I don't remember the distrance between the two bolt holes at each mount. But if they are wide enough drill two holes in the plate and mount it. If not, just one one. That's what I'm leaning towards.

 

welding me up a new solid bumper

 

Your making one yourself?

 

Forward or rear? My buddy and I are fabricating a new rear bumper from a 3/8" steel square tube (8"x8"). It's been a slow process (both of us have pretty busy lives...) but it's coming along nicely! Now he's trying to talk me into doing a roof rack too... he says I should put my spare tire up there, but I don't know how I feel about that...

I like the roof rack idea, looks good so far. I'll be checking back often! Good luck! And kudos for doing it yourself!

 

Thanks man. How much does that tube weigh!?

 

Originally it was freakin heavy! At least 80lbs... but we've cut out the general shape of the rear section and it's probably 1/3 of the original weight. Now we're waiting on my buddy's new torch to arrive so we can heat it up and get it back into shape (it warps when you cut into it...). I'm gonna be wrapping the bumper around to the rear wheel-wells (cutting the bottom portion of the quarter-panels)...

 

Very nice. I'd like to see the finished product. Why did you choose that material?

 

Well foremost, I wanted it to be strong, so steel was an obvious choice. Secondly, my buddy has connections and they just happened to have the steel tube just 'laying around,' and sold it to me cheap. That and my buddy suggested it to me so, I'd say "because he told me too..."

 

Lots of cleaning, filing, and prep-work! I personally used a wire-brush attachment on a power-grinder a lot, and will have more to do before we start welding!

 

I like this style with the low profile!



I especially like the material that goes across the bottom, is that the kind of mesh material that you had in mind?

 

Nice. Cheap is always good!

Yea I need to practice another time before I actually start. I really like how you can bend it with a conduit bender. Nice and easy!

That's what I would like to put as a mesh. Something similar. My basket will probably be the same depth. Maybe a tad deeper.

 

1" pipe .065 used a 1" rigid foot bender

 

expanded steel mesh is cheap and strong. It may help you to go to someplace like patton and walk around and look at the materials. once you see the tube, feel the weight, etc. it will be easier to make a decision. They usually have "scrap/remnants" that are perfect for fabbing small stuff.

they also sell precut 6' lengths of .060 wall square or round tube for around $3 a length for projects and stuff. They also sell precut steel plates. Best price for steel working stuff. cut off wheels, welding gloves, tools, etc. One of my favorite places to go!