92muddycherokee

I am pretty limited on funds and a welder and a bunch of metal is out of the question so I was thinking...
I made a wood front bumper for my 92XJ and I really like it. It is very simple and has a light bar. It can't really be used for towing but it has held up just fine for a couple years.
I have been trying to make some plans to fab up a wood roof rack. The wood would be treated and painted of course. They used to make truck beds out of wood so I figure there is no reason a roof rack can't be made out of one.
The rack would more than likely be mounted to the factory rails or luggage racks. Probably the rails because they provide a flatter surface to work with.
Anyway, let me know your thoughts/concerns please.
Thanks,
Bryan

taythegibs

thoughts and concerns-
1. it would weigh a lot
2. it would be hard to secure
3. it would be very unattractive

95Cherokee

Just my opinion, this rack...



...on top of this Wagoneer would look awesome, provided the wood was stained to match the Jeep.

hurley842002

Pics of the wood bumper perhaps?

redhandstudios

X2

Nstyfox

wood=ghetto...........my opinion

92muddycherokee

Here are some pics. I used a 4x6 board I think and beveled the edges and mounted a simple light bar to it. It has been on for around 2 years and hasnt tried to break or fall apart.
I would paint the rack black and use as light of materials as I could. I am trying to figure out a clamp that would work to secure it to the rails or rain gutter.
This may be too much trouble than it is worth. I just wanted your opinions on the matter. I love working with wood and my step dad is a carpenter so we could make something pretty cool(he didn't help me with the bumper)
Let me know what you think.







Here is a wood floor we put in after patching all the rust in the back:
The floor is pretty scratched up now but it works great.

rustface

Depends on the load, but for what it's worth: People who know how to build wooden boats would know how to make a roof rack... I am not one of them.

Steaming little strips of strong wood (oak?), bending them, fastening correctly, and making it water-resistant.

92muddycherokee

Weather is a major factor but it can be done. I would mostly just use it to carry a spare tire and maybe some camping supplies, tent, duffle bags, etc....

99NCXJ

if you want to cut cost you can use 7/8" electrical conduit. It will still look a little ghetto unless you have a welder but here is a cheap roof rack i made a long time ago for my jeep. It cost around 50.00 to make it, then took it off once i realized that it only got hung up on trees when leaned over on the trails...then sold it for 100.00

BLKXJ 96

X 2 on the conduit, heres a few I made one for my jeep and sold the second one for $200

92muddycherokee

Thanks guys. I am not familiar with conduit at all. What would I use to connect the conduit together without welding?

92muddycherokee

Also how did you secure the rack to the top of the jeep?
Thanks

99NCXJ

if you don't have a welder you can buy the connectors where you buy the conduit...however, that will look like crap. Just find someone with a little 110 volt welder and go at it. I didn't have a conduit bender when i did mine so i mitered the corners. I like the rounded look better on the pics below mine. that actually looks like something you would pay good money for.

Even with that said, I took mine off becuase
1) it didnt help me get over any obsticals
2) it got hung up on trees alot

My wants/needs have changed quite a bit since i first got into this. but to each thier own.

gornikebounder

i made mine out of EMT (electrical conduit). i used 1" conduit and galv. fence top rail. i had all these materials layin around my house.

the 1" slid inside of the top rail. worked better than i thought. i used 1" ubolts to atach it to my existing rack. its super strong. i can shake the %#@ out of the jeep.

if you would like some more info on how i did it let me know. ill give you more detailed instuctions and a materials list.

for the money you cant beat it.

i have a few pics in my album

good luck