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Another Roof Rack thread for a Suburban

pma4x4

pma4x4

AKA Yankeeroad
Joined
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Location
Apache Junction, Arizona
So after going through the forum and getting some new ideas, scrapping some old ones and conjuring up new ones.

I don't have any pics right now but here is the general idea. Custom built out of 3/4 square tubing 14ga walls. Roughly 4 feet wide by 10 feet long, Essentially the entire roof.

8 mounts inboard just enough to where it is level, with the plates being 3"x3" with 4 holes square.. These plates should straddle the inner roof braces for added weight distribution.

It will be a basket style with a 4" high outer basket ring "wall" Once its all done the rear 4x8 section of it will be covered by 16ga aluminum sheet. this will distribute the weight and make it easy for standing on and having chairs up top. Why chairs you ask? because we can.

total weight is estimated around 140lbs which surprisingly turned out to be lighter then thought for the size. The ARB Safari rack that fits the FJ Cruisers weigh in at 140.

Once accessories are mounted to the sides of the rack it will be just as wide as the body or less so nothing will stick out bad.

Taking a lot of ideas from my previous rack off my Jeep Cherokee

2011-0927-rack-019.jpg


Looking for ideas, suggestions opinions. especially on the mounting. go!
 
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this picture was before it was finished but holes were drilled there for mounting a 4 lights.

2011-0927-rack-036.jpg
 
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nice work! I usually laugh at homebuilt roof racks, most are haggard turds.

did you slice those corners to get such a close bend? my square tube mandrel doesnt come near that.

its funny how most of us chev guys are also into xj's...
 
moneypit_K5 said:
nice work! I usually laugh at home built roof racks, most are haggard turds.

did you slice those corners to get such a close bend? my square tube mandrel doesn't come near that.

its funny how most of us chev guys are also into xj's...
Click to expand...

Thanks.

The corners are actually pre bent 3/4" square tubing pieces that my metal supplier had in stock. They are 1.5x1.5 pieces. I just welded them in. they are expensive though. 6 bucks each and when i need 8 of them that was like 25% of the cost of the rack. But it turned out great.

Also helps when you have the capabilities to draw up your own design and have access to Waterjet and Plasma tables!
 
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How about using aluminum? I have been daydreaming about building a rack but I always thought a steel one sounded heavy. 140 lbs is less than I thought.
 
Aluminum requires a TIG welder. I had planned on aluminum but cost is much higher and I would only be saving around 40-50 pounds roughly. Plus... again. Need a TIG welder:D

I did try the aluminum spool gun for my lincoln. nowhere near precise and clean as TIG
 
Ive gotta find my notes, they have the dimensions of what i was going to use. It was like

outer base ring was .75x1.5 11ga
upper outter ring .75x.75 14ga
crossbars at 6" apart was like .75x.75" 11ga

4x8 main area with a 16ga sheet of aluminum screwed on top
the two outer bars continue forward to just about the top of the windhsield area for the LED lights. So the roof area directly above the front two seats would have not cargo floor.

I think I need to get some pics of this idea up this weekend.
 
pma4x4 said:
Aluminum requires a TIG welder. I had planned on aluminum but cost is much higher and I would only be saving around 40-50 pounds roughly. Plus... again. Need a TIG welder:D

I did try the aluminum spool gun for my lincoln. nowhere near precise and clean as TIG
Click to expand...

You should definitely get a TIG welder:waytogo::laugh:

My Lincoln will accept the aluminum gun too, just don't have it. Do you think it was sloppy? Did you get penetration?
 
I got penetration just fine. Its actually very easy to burn through. I was only able to get a good bead in a deep notched channel.
 
I built an aluminum one for my Burb.

Back when my Burb was full size I built an all aluminum one for it.
4' x 8' checker plate floor and 1 x 1 tube frame.
Light mount brackets, sandwich plates for inside with rubber to seal it up.
Worked great for me till I did the bob.

I'll post some pics in the morning.
It's stored in my garage at the moment.

Could let it go if you were interested..??
 
I wouldn't mind the pics and thanks for the possible offer of yours but shipping alone would kill and I am very "particular" on how I want my stuff.
 
Just puttin it out there.

Knew shipping would be outrageous but had to at least offer.
Not sure I understand "perticular".

Would never waste my efforts building crap.
Wouldn't ever offer "junk" to a Member, or fellow wheeler.
 
Whoa, yeah did not mean anything negative towards ya or your stuff. I am just a friggin anal nut bag that wants things exactly a certain way that's all.:rolleyes:
 
Any "off the shelf" solutions out there for a full size roof rack for a 73-91 suburban? I don't have the fab skills needed for something custom.
 
I have had a rack on order from ORU for year now. Supposedly really good stuff, but they built them when they felt like it. 4 Wheel parts, Smitty built line just bought them, so I actually believe I will get one now. Go to 4 wheel parts and look at it.
 
ARB makes one of the larger HD ones on the market but any rack that size gets expensive.

87x49 is their large one. retails for like $600
 
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