Hey there Cherokeeforum, long time listener first time caller... I have a question pertaining to the use of bed frame rails for a roof rack I've thought up. I'm a landlord and over the years have amassed a wonderful amount of bed frames. It's a fairly simple design and I think they will be light enough, has anyone ever tried to do this or is there a reason people don't do this? Thanks in advance. Chris

 

Should definitely read stickies before posting. I'm such a newb. Sorry admin.

 

It should work buddy

 

A lot of people use them. Just make sure you grind the metal until it's shiny so you can get some good welds on it

 

Thanks for the tip! Have the metal cut and ground the paint off with a steel wheel and a jig built. Just waiting to weld, it's too cold outside and my shop doesn't hav eheat lol.

 

Well it turned out to be a real PITA to get this all done. The bed frame rails were all warped. I think I did a pretty good job for a first time welder. I did learn with enough time, enough grinding, and enough Jack even a guy like me can make a decent weld! It's all done now, just need to put the expanded metal floor on then mount it to the XJ.

 

It good to have a rack in the roof so you could have more passengers inside and stuffs outside

 

A word of caution regarding bed frame rails: I've made many things from bed rails, from roof racks to trailer sides, and have lots of experience with them. They're great (and a free source of angle iron, you can usually find them by the curb on garbage day), but they do have their weaknesses. The steel they are made of is very hard, and quite brittle. You will need high quality drill bits (Cobalt) to drill through them, and they may break or crack at the welds.

That being said, nice rack

 

Thanks! I appreciate the warning but you are a little too late LOL. I dulled out 4 bits, and that was just drilling the holes in the brackets.





Here's the finished product, I just primered and painted it. Rustoleum Satin Black to match the bumpers and trim.

 

Your lucky if all you did was dull the bits. I killed 10 before I got my roof rack done.