nah2323

Hi All,

I know this isn't the fab section, but I thought you guys looking for or that have safari racks would like this. Its 60" long x 39" wide. Fits perfect between the sunroof and the rear hatch dust deflector (when gate is open) length wise, and just between the factory rack rails width.

Let me know what you think.



Continuous outer edge for strength. There is a total of four 22.5* cuts to make the 90* weld keeping the tubing continuous (also makes it easier to snake wires in for lights.) I did it this way, so when I'm loading and unloading my bikes or skis, I dont have that sharp point sticking out to rip my arm apart.



I have about 5 hours in on this from design to fab. I haven't welded the expanded on yet, as I need to make the uprights for the second hoop and weld them before I can weld the expanded on. I'm going to make another "hoop" to go above the platform section about 4" high. and I haven't deceided if I want to put expanded on the sides yet or not. The platform hoop is actually very strong and the center brace holds my 241lb a$$ easily.

******************************* UPDATES ******************************
Finally up on the roof


Further away..


Look from above.


LMK what you think.

scuba

Looks pretty sweet.
lol.
You say 5 hours from design to fab...Did you have a spare day and go..."... I think I want to build a roof rack for my truck today..."
??

Cant wait to see the finished product

Ron Helmuth

very cool-thanks for the pics

I can almost bet someone will want you to build them one.

zlathim

Looks nice so far. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Chapman88SR5

Where did you get the steel mesh?

nah2323

I have the best metal supply place near me. They have almost everything. I call, place order, pickup by 5pm same day.

corax

Not me, but I think I will steal the design, just without uprights and adding individual chain links welded on the side for tie down points

Is that 1" square tube that you used?

nah2323

1" it is. It would make a pretty cool deck / platform.

nah2323

TTT for the new pics!

Goin

Lookin good!

j-man

nice. Thats just what i made for my 4 4runners, except i just made em flat platforms and sent them to powdercoating. Just a note on that mesh, i made one with mesh and at freeway speed it made the most annoying humming noise - so i ripped it off and its all good now. Hopefully yours wont make that noise - looks good.

nah2323

yeah I just found that out tonight, I finally mounted it up on the roof after rhino lining it, and the mesh makes some noise over bumps and when I close the doors. I haven't had it above 60mph yet, but otherwise its good.

4307

Hmmm.... I was going to say tack weld it across the cross supports as much as you can but you already Rhino lined it.
I used expanded steel and found the same problem, as soon as it was welded it was super quiet, I don't get the roof rack hum anymore.
Out of curiosity how much does it weigh? My rack is a little heavy for my liking, it's going under the knife soon to lighten it up, then paint it.

nah2323

i actually welded it at every fifth connection point. I didn't rhino it fully, I only put one coat on it, which is super thin, but enough to keep the moisture out.. A drill powered wire brush will take it off.

4307

I ended up welding every space. My rack isn't as big as yours, it was a little tedious but it worked.

Have you thought about putting square tub lengthwise reducing the unsupported area? The expanded steel will have less tendency to bounce.

The liner will come off easily. Looks good! I like the corners.

nah2323

I thought about putting some more square tubing between lengthwise, but I'm not sure yet. I may do it in 1/2" tubing instead of 1" to keep the weight down. the rack only weighs about 60-70 lbs, and I can take it on and off by myself. Granted its a bit tedious maneuvering it up there once on a ladder etc... but I did it.

nah2323

a few more for the gipper.

pwd

That looks really good, especially on your runner!

sharrack

pretty cool.............one thing I had to do when I did my roof rack was an Air dam because the air may cause the rack to hum.
Here's a look at mine.


I bought a cheapo tube safari rack and made a 2ft insert for it to extend.
I made the airdam from flat black plexiglass with door edge molding on the edges.





Kenny S>

4307

Hey, if thats your garage or you have a garage, rig a lift pulley to the ceiling, you can find them for storing items close to the garage ceiling, like bikes and ladders ext. Four hooks to a central pulley line will be great to lift and lower, or store the rack if your not using it.