First fab, roof rack
07-13-2013, 04:12 PM
#1
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Model: Cherokee
First fab, roof rack
This is my first fab ever. Just went and got a cheap welder and started screwing around. Kind of rough, but very functional. Any tips on how to improve it? Made it out of rigid conduit and a sheet of 1/4"x2"x2" steel mesh. It sat too close to the roof, so i used unistrut too raise it up. Have 2 more lights that go on and have to wire them, but i wanted to make sure it fit still before i finished.
Do i need gutter mounts, or will the factory screw holes hold?
Do i need gutter mounts, or will the factory screw holes hold?
07-13-2013, 08:38 PM
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This is actually one of the few roof racks I've seen that I actually like. Stock mounts should be fine up to 100 lbs or so, otherwise I'd do gutter mounts.
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07-13-2013, 09:45 PM
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 Powertech
This is in the top 3 nicest looking roof I have seen on this forum. I really like how you took away the factory rails, it bolts in and you aren't using any gutter mounts. It is so nice and low profile, take more pictures I am very interested. If you made one that bolts into the the new body style that takes only half the roof let me know how much you would want for it. Post pictures of how its bolted to the roof, trying to figure out if you used factory bolts or longer ones?
07-13-2013, 10:16 PM
#10
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With the .75" rigid conduit and the unistrut it takes a m6 1.0 pitch at 80mm long. I just took the factory mounts off and tacked everything together in place to make sure it lined up. Made some marks with a sharpie and started drilling. The slots in the strut line up with the flanges on the factory bolt holes so you get no sliding. Worked out perfect.
Probably going to add some jcr gutter mounts. I beat the hell out of my stuff and that's not something you want to come loose.
Oh, and with the wire mesh, all you need is a couple of j bolts and some washers to mount the spare tire
Probably going to add some jcr gutter mounts. I beat the hell out of my stuff and that's not something you want to come loose.
Oh, and with the wire mesh, all you need is a couple of j bolts and some washers to mount the spare tire
07-14-2013, 06:07 AM
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Hate to bother you but when you can, I would really like to see more pictures. The only thing I would use the roof rack for is carrying clothes. So the stock bolts would work for me, I really like this roof rack.
07-14-2013, 08:20 AM
#12
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For basic uses, aka what most people do is just have it up there for show or to throw a spare on it stock mounts in the roof will be fine.
If you get into camping/overlanding/etc you'll want gutter mounts for sure. I usually carry quite a bit up there, not sure of the weight but its alot.
If you get into camping/overlanding/etc you'll want gutter mounts for sure. I usually carry quite a bit up there, not sure of the weight but its alot.
