roof rack

[woodchk502]

anyone ever seen or built a roof rack for 1st gens. Or I guess will the top even support such a thing.

Just thinking how nice it would be to have one on top that came off when running topless.

I guess next thing would be if its a single or dbl wall top. single would lack strength and the dbl might cause issues bolting through (thinking about crushing the top).

So whaddaya got or what have ya seen

jim

 

[K85 Octane]

are the full convertible tops weaker than the half cabs? And I didn't know there were two different types of tops for those years, a double and single wall. Interesting. Seems like you could always run a rack on the back portion of the top, before it goes over the front seats. Would be stronger there with the sides of course.

 

[woodchk502]

Was thinking if I had to build my own there would be no limit to the size of the feet nor the placement (think very near the vertical portion for strength)

 

[sponsoredbydad]

I am thinking of building one myself sometime in the future. I have a double wall and I have it hanging right now with 4 eye hooks bolted thru it. I do have plates on the bottom so the bolt head does not pull thru but I think these tops weigh in at about 300lbs. A rack sure would help in the removal just hook up some bolt on system and use an electric winch mounted in the rafters and WA-LAA.

 

[woodchk502]

SPD. yeah Im thinking good sized feet near where the top starts going vertical, plates on the inside. and if needed 6 or 8 (hopefully not 8) feet to support the load would sure like to be able to put some weight on it with out fear of crushing the top.

speaking of that any problems with crush where the eyebolts go thru your top.

Are you sure of the 300lb? Ive taken mine off with the help of one person and dont remember it being that heavy and im kinda sissyish.lol

edit: i havent got the endgate glass in mine that may be a big part of the weight difference.

Took it off by myself once with the help of gravity......didnt work so well

 

[bp71k5]

You can try searching for a Vic Hickey rack for first gens. I gave one away last year. If you want a rack, its a decent option, but maybe hard to find. The single wall tops are more sturdy on top since they are thicker and have wooden reinforcement ribs. The double wall tops always seem to sag in the center.