Some more updates on the rack...
The majority of the fabrication is done now. I just have a little bit of filing to do to get rid of some sharp edges, then prep and paint.
I decided to do the prerunner style front end, because it will protect lights and it just looks cool. I also added some expanded metal for flooring and some tabs to mount lights to. I used an angle grinder with a cutting wheel to make the rest of the cuts, and it worked nicely. The front end was the most complex because it had a few compound angles and I didn't have a chance to cut it out at school, but I'm happy with it. All the welds are ground down now too (which is good because I think my neighbors would kill me if I used the angle grinder any more)















I am a little concerned about prepping it for paint though. It's hot rolled steel so it's coated in some oil and then it has mill scale on it. Since this is my first fab project I'm not exactly sure how much to prep the metal for paint...any advice here would be great I know that I'll need to at least clean it with acetone or something, but is it important to take it down to bare metal? I'm just not sure. I'm also considering herculiner for the coating.

 

Looks good! but also looks like it weighs more than my winch bumper lol.

 

lol yes it's very heavy. It's only downfall haha. I would definitely look into thin walled tube if i did it again

 

Try using a wire wheel on your grinder to bring everything down to bare metal. The expanded metal is going to be a pain to clean you can try wire wheeling it but get ready for the wheel to jump. You will be much happier with taking your metal down to bare metal when painting the rack it will look super clean. It will be a pain but it will be worth it

 

Okay, thanks for the advice. I figured going down to bare metal would be the best option, and I might as well do it right. I am going to call around and get some quotes on powder coating or maybe even just sandblasting today though, so that will make my final decision

 

Ya sandblasting it would be alot better and easier

 

I called around today and was quoted about $40 for sandblasting and about $100 for powder coating, which includes the sandblasting. I'm going to stop by the local powder coat place tomorrow or the next day and get an exact quote, and hopefully end up going with that!

 

I vote for a $10 rattle can job of flat black. I like cheap things lol but that powder coat will look good.

 

I also replaced both of my oxygen sensors today with some new NTK ones. The old ones looked pretty bad when I took them out, so I'm hoping that this will help a little with my gas mileage. It only took about a half hour to do both sensors, so it was nice having a repair on the jeep that took less than an hour with no issues lol.

 

haha I love cheap things too, but I've put a lot of work into it and I want it to last. Painting's sorta difficult with the salt and winters up here too

 

True. You inspired me to go and build a rack too. I'm not done but so far so good. Stick welded racks ha

 

Sweet, I just saw it in your build thread. Looking good!
If only I had a mig lol...

 

The rack looks fantastic, now lets see it mounted up.

 

Thanks! I'll be putting it on when I take it to get a quote for paint, so I'll take some pictures then

 

I dropped the rack off at a local powder coat place today. It's going to be sandblasted and coated in a nice satin black, and Rick (the owner) gave me a great price! It's not like my cheap nature to have someone do something for me, but I want it to last and I'd probably have a good amount of cash and work into it just to get it prepped and painted anyway.

A couple days ago I picked up some cheap brake lights and welded on some tabs in the back to mount those on. I'll probably just wire them into the hatch light. I also got 4 KC 57 Series lights for the front!

Here's some photos of it mounted on the Jeep, finally. I'll have more on Monday when I pick up the finished rack from Rick.