Hard Top Roof Rack Rails
11-21-2009 | 06:25 PM
#11
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 889
From: New Brunswick
Re: Hard Top Roof Rack Rails
Looks great, somethings are just better to do yourself...
I just went thru reinforcing the factory roof rack in my WJ, i just noticed this thread now... could have gave ya the idea cause i know a buddy who's done the same thing. (he even put down rubber strips to keep the bags off the hardtop (prevent scuff/scratching) might be something you might want to think off if your not putting everything on the rack itself...
I just went thru reinforcing the factory roof rack in my WJ, i just noticed this thread now... could have gave ya the idea cause i know a buddy who's done the same thing. (he even put down rubber strips to keep the bags off the hardtop (prevent scuff/scratching) might be something you might want to think off if your not putting everything on the rack itself...
11-21-2009 | 07:32 PM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 206
From: Manotick, Ontario
Re: Hard Top Roof Rack Rails
Hey Dub,
Looks sweet. You do good work! If I may suggest putting something on the ends of the bolts on the inside of your roof (rubber caps, plastic tubing etc.). You never know if you are bouncing around or just looking for something inside when your head may contact one of these potential head/body pokers.
Peter
Looks sweet. You do good work! If I may suggest putting something on the ends of the bolts on the inside of your roof (rubber caps, plastic tubing etc.). You never know if you are bouncing around or just looking for something inside when your head may contact one of these potential head/body pokers.
Peter
11-21-2009 | 08:04 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 19
From: Kamloops
Re: Hard Top Roof Rack Rails
Yes that is a good point. the bolts on the inside are in a very non intrusive spot and i wouldn't ever hit them, however you're right. I do plan to spin on a M6 nut for extra locking plus possibly hacksaw off the tips.
11-27-2009 | 07:51 PM
#14
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 8
From: Newfoundland, Corner Brook
Re: Hard Top Roof Rack Rails
Yo Jeepers,
My roof rack is complete, here's the details. In my biased opinion i'd say it's nicer than aftermarket ones if i do say so myself!
I used a roof rack from a 97 Blazer S10. Used all the parts from it, including bolts. As you can see in the picture, i painted the rack flat black. I painted the tip of the bolts flat white.
The steel plates are 2" wide, about 1/8" thick, I taped the holes to M6x1 because that's the thread size of the stock bolts. i also bought a rubber washer (Home Depot #3499) to add extra sealant to the bolt head. i used a 1/4" drill bit to drill into the roof.
I modified the roof rack slightly. I cut the side rails to 33" and reassembled, then painted flat black. So overall this is about 54" in length. The stock width of the roof rack fit perfectly on the sides of the rain gutters on the roof.
Also, underneath the roof rack, i used a dab of silicone where the bolt holes go through.
This is the perfect roof rack for what i'm want. Just to pack snowboards and small stuff in the winter. I found this rack much superior to any other OEM rack out there, i looked at all of them, cherokee, explorer, pathfinder, etc. this one has 200lb load rating and is just built well and solid, so i went with it.
Cost:
Roof rack from a junkyard :$25.00
Rubber washers from Home Depot $2.40
Steel from Home Depot $12.99
TOTAL COST: $40 BUCKS
Flat black & white paint. (already had)
M6x1 Tap (already had)
My roof rack is complete, here's the details. In my biased opinion i'd say it's nicer than aftermarket ones if i do say so myself!
I used a roof rack from a 97 Blazer S10. Used all the parts from it, including bolts. As you can see in the picture, i painted the rack flat black. I painted the tip of the bolts flat white.
The steel plates are 2" wide, about 1/8" thick, I taped the holes to M6x1 because that's the thread size of the stock bolts. i also bought a rubber washer (Home Depot #3499) to add extra sealant to the bolt head. i used a 1/4" drill bit to drill into the roof.
I modified the roof rack slightly. I cut the side rails to 33" and reassembled, then painted flat black. So overall this is about 54" in length. The stock width of the roof rack fit perfectly on the sides of the rain gutters on the roof.
Also, underneath the roof rack, i used a dab of silicone where the bolt holes go through.
This is the perfect roof rack for what i'm want. Just to pack snowboards and small stuff in the winter. I found this rack much superior to any other OEM rack out there, i looked at all of them, cherokee, explorer, pathfinder, etc. this one has 200lb load rating and is just built well and solid, so i went with it.
Cost:
Roof rack from a junkyard :$25.00
Rubber washers from Home Depot $2.40
Steel from Home Depot $12.99
TOTAL COST: $40 BUCKS
Flat black & white paint. (already had)
M6x1 Tap (already had)
02-19-2010 | 07:50 PM
#15
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 19
From: Kamloops
Re: Hard Top Roof Rack Rails
It's now late February and the rack system works flawlessly. It looks like it's supposed to be there. It's held up super strong. I've attached snowboard clamps as well as put on a roof top cargo carrier. Works great and i recommend it for anyone looking to build the same.
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