Best homemade mod
12-27-2012, 07:03 PM
#281
JK Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Nashville
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I built a roof rack for my wife's Jeep last Sept, and it has been great. We use it all the time, and it's holding up well, except for a few scratches from tieing stuff down. It has had well over 1000 pounds on it, and we've done some high speed beach driving with a couple hundred pounds on it..... no problem. I designed and built it because my wife didn't like any of the aftermarket racks; she thought they were too bulky.
All the weight on the rack is supported by the sheet metal "bed sides" that the top sits on, not the fiberglass top. The rack comes off with the top and gives nice places to tie a hoist, and the freedom tops can still be removed easily. I used 2" x 1/8" aluminum flatbar for the "floor slats" so they can get scratched up and won't rust. I used only 8 bolts through the hardtop, 4 on each side, so if I want to take it off later, I can just put black button head bolts in the holes, and it will look like it came that way. The entire upper tube "sides" can be unbolted and removed, yeilding a completly flat platform for carrying bulky items, or camping on the roof.
Here is the build thread on the rack Homemade roof rack - advise needed
These pics are old, but I will take some new ones and post them up.
All the weight on the rack is supported by the sheet metal "bed sides" that the top sits on, not the fiberglass top. The rack comes off with the top and gives nice places to tie a hoist, and the freedom tops can still be removed easily. I used 2" x 1/8" aluminum flatbar for the "floor slats" so they can get scratched up and won't rust. I used only 8 bolts through the hardtop, 4 on each side, so if I want to take it off later, I can just put black button head bolts in the holes, and it will look like it came that way. The entire upper tube "sides" can be unbolted and removed, yeilding a completly flat platform for carrying bulky items, or camping on the roof.
Here is the build thread on the rack Homemade roof rack - advise needed
These pics are old, but I will take some new ones and post them up.
WOW. This is nicer than any currently available racks ,save the Gobi . This would require some skills & tools ....nice , man; nice.
12-27-2013, 05:44 AM
#284
JK Jedi
Made the rear track bar
Made the front track bar/drag link/tie rod
Made all my control arms
Made an air tank holder
Made new rear shock mounts
Half made a rack for my rear bumper
Probably some other things as well.
Made the front track bar/drag link/tie rod
Made all my control arms
Made an air tank holder
Made new rear shock mounts
Half made a rack for my rear bumper
Probably some other things as well.
12-27-2013, 06:12 AM
#285
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Riverside, Ca
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For inflating all wheels at the same time?! Clever! I've been thinking of doing this, but hard lining all the way to the bumpers. Good work on all your mods. 
12-27-2013, 06:13 AM
#286
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ravenna,ohio
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I wish I had your knowledge and skill! Fantastic job on everything!
12-27-2013, 06:18 AM
#287
JK Jedi
Thanks, im not the best welder though, on the stuff that really matters i try and have my jeeping buddy do it. Im still learning on all of this stuff. Theres been a few trial and errors.
Last edited by Maertz; 12-27-2013 at 06:21 AM.
