Feeler For 2nd Gen Roof Rack

would you consider making the bed rack that you had in your build thread?

 

Send me a PM with the features you are looking at and we can try to figure something out.

 

Sign me up for an aluminum bolt together rack. Way out here in 05408.

 

You can pay via paypal to Zachary.scott@aggiemail.usu.edu. Send me a pm with your exact order so I have record of it there and be sure to include any options like extra cross bars or powder coating in the order info and in the payment.

 

As soon as someone gets an FJ rack let me know and please post pics up! I'm anxious to see it. Liking what I saw so far.

 

I am waiting on some materials for the deflector and then I will be delivering the first one to a local buyer and helping him get it all fit before he has it coated.

 

you must be like 7 feet tall to be able to get the jack down...lol

 

If this sticks and keeps going Id def be down once I get the funds together

 

I know the feeling. The highest point of our Xterra is the highlift around 85-88".

 

I am planning on keeping these aluminum ones going for sure. If some one wants a steel one I will consider it. Let me know when you are ready.

 

I'm gonna be in for just the steel rails...in a month or so...

 

No problem, let me know.

 

Yeah, the cost on the steel option was the real draw for me.

 

Steel is still an option. I just figured for a difference of only $80.00 most people would go for an aluminum kit.

 

Steel is stronger though...isn't it? Or am I really stupid...lol. I was planning on adding on some light mounts and adding 1-2 40" bars on the front....would an aluminum rack support all that?

 

Yes steel is stronger than aluminum for a given thickness but it is significantly heavier. For what you have planned and short of putting an extremely heavy load beyond the design strength of the cab, aluminum is more than adequate. The real difference is in ease of welding, almost any fool can weld steel but it takes some skill and equipment to weld aluminum.

 

Yea i don't imagine I'll be putting much load on top, Perhaps the occasional spare tire or something....but mostly just like the look and want to use it as a Roof Light holder type of thing

 

THIS ^^^^^

The steel version uses 3/16" plate for the rails and the aluminum uses 1/4" plate so there is that extra material to make up for the strength difference. If you check out the other thread about the aluminum ones I posted a picture of the aluminum rack for the topper holding 500+ pounds with no deflection of the crossbars, creaking, cracking or any signs of stress. Obviously on both of these racks, the weak part regardless of the material is most likely going to be the topper, or the weld nuts in the roof of the truck cab.

 

Just remembered one of my neighbors has an xterra. I might have to ask him if I can do some measurements and get a version of these going for the xterra that is a little more low profile.

 

Well then, I might pay that little extra for the lighter/thicker Aluminum and just make sure to use grade 8 stuff all around for the hardware. Pretty sure with 5 mount points on each side, it'll hold a light or two just perfectly