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First fab, roof rack

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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 04:12 PM
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Default 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?
Attached Thumbnails First fab, roof rack-image-3601332767.jpg   First fab, roof rack-image-2801893516.jpg   First fab, roof rack-image-3503972277.jpg  
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 04:28 PM
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I like your lights on the rack. I also like how it's protected. U made that too?
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 05:21 PM
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100 watt harbor freight lights. Came with grills. Always break them, so i went cheap.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Platime
100 watt harbor freight lights. Came with grills. Always break them, so i went cheap.
Nice I bought mine off eBay for 15 bucks.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 08:24 PM
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What I'm really wondering is if i need to get gutter mounts. Will the stock bolt holes hold up?
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Platime
What I'm really wondering is if i need to get gutter mounts. Will the stock bolt holes hold up?
I have no idea. I never got a rack for mine.
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Old Jul 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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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 08:53 PM
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Well damn, probably weighs 40 lbs itself. Think i have a good idea on how to make some without too much hassle.
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 09:45 PM
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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?
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Old Jul 13, 2013 | 10:16 PM
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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
Attached Thumbnails First fab, roof rack-image-2204515809.jpg  
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Old Jul 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.
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Old Jul 14, 2013 | 08:20 AM
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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.
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Old Jul 14, 2013 | 10:15 AM
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Best looking hand built rack I've seen. Any plans on production pieces for sale? I am VERY interested!
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Old Jul 14, 2013 | 12:59 PM
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looks solid. deff one of the nicest racks iv seen here
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Old Jul 14, 2013 | 02:13 PM
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Production would take all the fun out of it!
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