Roof rack idea

[misterfnygy]

Have a thought for a roof rack. I plan to use my truck year round-camping/kayaking in the summer and hunting/wheeling in the winter so I need to be able to put the top on when it gets cold.
I want to fab up a roof rack to hold gear and think it would be cool to have one that could be used with or without the top.
SO im thinking that you build mounts to the cage, something like hood pins that you can use a hitch pin to secure the rack. The pins extend up through the top when needed.
As long as it was a secure mount, I don't see nay problems--- thoughts??

 

[NorCalKid]

You might have problems sealing the holes in the top. I guess if you leave it one there all winter you could just throw on some caulking every year. Might run into some rattling issues as well, not that one more rattle on an old truck will make a difference...

 

[lectric80]

My top flexes quite a bit even when it is bolted down. I have enough evidence of this by the amount of gelcoat that is flaking off. I would think that having something like that stick through the top would possibly damage the top, plus be very hard to seal.

 

[misterfnygy]

Thinking that some sort of rubber sleeve or boot attached to the top may work for the sealing issue. Similar to a roof vent on a house. As for the rattling, maybe best to bolt it down to prevent movement? Just use tabs on the cage, bolts go through the boots.
Of course- i need a bender so I can fab up the cage first.

 

[Blue85]

Why can't you attach mounts to the cage and attach mounts to the top? Then the rack can mount to either.

 

[misterfnygy]

Damn Blue- never thought of that. Too easy- Thanks!!