I think that someone mentioned something about using the EMT conduit conectors.

 

Yeah, I have given up on the whole wood idea. I may get to building one out of conduit, since my newest xj doesn't even have the factory luggage rack, which is kind of nice...and kind of sucks.

 

Just remember, the more weight ip there, the higher your center of gravity.

 

wood??? that seems like it wood look gay, it might looks nice though if you do it right but im a steel fabricator and i dont really believe in wooden rock crawlers n such... i do like the inside of the jeep though it looks way awsome!

 

hey rjxj can i get the demsions and some more good pics of yours?

 

hey, ive seen that xj before... do you live in cleves?

 

For what it is worth I am in the process of building a roof rack out of EMT conduit. The best part is I got plenty of it for free from a building that was being remodeled near my house. It was laying in a dumpster and I asked the forman if I could have it and he said if I wanted to dig it out. The best part is there were a lot of pre bent turns so I did not have to bend anything. I made my rack 4'x6' because I wanted it to be big enough to sleep in. ( I like to randomly go camping with just my jeep). I removed my factory cross members and used the factory runners to attach to. I will post pictures as soon as I get them or possibly start a new thread.

My suggestions:
1. find a construction site (they almost always have extra conduit)
2. If your going to buy steel buy from a steel yard not hardware store (you can get a full length of metal cheaper than you can get a couple feet)
3. Find a friend with a welder
(If you have to use a shop to weld it lay everything out prior so all they have to do is weld)
4. Make sure to remove galvanizing before welding (very toxic)

Pros:
1. Got what I wanted in the size I wanted
2. Very Cheap ( cost of one roll of welding wire, and some misc hardware and paint)
3. Light weight and very strong (have had two people in it)

Cons:
Galvanizing is hard to get paint to stick to and it scratches easily
Does dent if impacted directly with something

 

how much did 50ft cost you and lol at the whole wood idea made me chuckle

 

I made one from conduit 3/4" from lowes very cheap i think $4 for 10ft Used around 50 ft. I didnt have a bender so I just bought 8 90* bend pieces which brought my total to around $40

 

That looks great, It will look 100 times better once you paint it.

 

Funny you say that I built it like a week ago still havent got to painting it due to not having time to weld on some light tabs

 

that came out really good , im getting ready to start one myself

 

Thanks man The only thing I wish I did was make it a little bigger its to narrow and I may cut it in half and widen it... The length isn't to bad and the high is perfect I wanna say its 3ft x 4 1/2ft x 6"

 

yea i been researching and trying to figure out dimensions of what i want to make mine , but i need to find quality gutter clamps that i like so i can get a good base for measurements

 

I just used some u bolts and bolted it to the stock racks.. It doesnt rattle or make any noises as long as its clamped tight and it can support me in it (200lbs)