Jeep XJ Truck- roofrack/dogbox build
12-19-2012, 05:23 AM
#18
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Location: Vancouver BC
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Year: 1998
Engine: 4.0
Since I chopped my xj, Ive gotten into kayak fishing..
3ft of factory rack is not conducive to transporting a kayak.
Here's my solution:
Jeep XJ Truck w/ dogbox/roofrack combo.
Above is about four hours into the build.
And thats after another six hours or so.
Now I have a good, long surface for transporting my kayak and other random things I'm sure to transport. Also, once the back of the dogbox is complete, I have a safe place for my labs to be when we're going to the beach, river, woods, grocery store, etc.
The rack is made out of aluminum 1x1 (.093 wall) tubing.
The compound angles on the back were a real pain to begin with, but once I got going, it really kind of fell together.
My plan for the back is to cut the center of the "tailgate" out (about a 20" section), bring the uprights around and down to whats left of the "tailgate", and the all the way to the bed at the center section. The center section will be the door.
3ft of factory rack is not conducive to transporting a kayak.
Here's my solution:
Jeep XJ Truck w/ dogbox/roofrack combo.
Above is about four hours into the build.
And thats after another six hours or so.
Now I have a good, long surface for transporting my kayak and other random things I'm sure to transport. Also, once the back of the dogbox is complete, I have a safe place for my labs to be when we're going to the beach, river, woods, grocery store, etc.
The rack is made out of aluminum 1x1 (.093 wall) tubing.
The compound angles on the back were a real pain to begin with, but once I got going, it really kind of fell together.
My plan for the back is to cut the center of the "tailgate" out (about a 20" section), bring the uprights around and down to whats left of the "tailgate", and the all the way to the bed at the center section. The center section will be the door.
12-19-2012, 05:43 AM
#19
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Location: Eastern NC
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Year: 93
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
There is a link to my build on page 1 of this thread.. I didn't go into great detail on what I did for the inside after I moved the liftgate forward, but I made a panel for the inside of the liftgate once I moved it forward to dress it up and put in some 4 point harnesses for the backseat since I cut out the original seatbelt hangers.
12-19-2012, 06:00 AM
#20
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Year: 1998
Engine: 4.0
There is a link to my build on page 1 of this thread.. I didn't go into great detail on what I did for the inside after I moved the liftgate forward, but I made a panel for the inside of the liftgate once I moved it forward to dress it up and put in some 4 point harnesses for the backseat since I cut out the original seatbelt hangers.
12-25-2012, 05:29 PM
#21
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Year: 93
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
Made some progress today.
1st I cut out about 28" of tailgate..
Then I cut two pieces out of that and used it to cap off whats left of the tailgate.
Caps
Then I stood back and looked at it.
Kind of looks awkward right now, but once the box is finished, I think it'll look right again. The caps are just tacked on right now.. I'll finish welding them up, do some grinding
, then try to finish up the box..
1st I cut out about 28" of tailgate..
Then I cut two pieces out of that and used it to cap off whats left of the tailgate.
Caps
Then I stood back and looked at it.
Kind of looks awkward right now, but once the box is finished, I think it'll look right again. The caps are just tacked on right now.. I'll finish welding them up, do some grinding
, then try to finish up the box..
12-26-2012, 06:37 AM
#22
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Year: 91
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
when i see this i cant help but think of jurrasic park...... i know they used fords but it comes to mind. i like it cant wait to see it finished
12-27-2012, 05:36 AM
#25
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Year: 93
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
Ive thought about that.. I think that once everything is done, it'll look right with the 90 degree corners.
I made them out of aluminum angle. 1x3 for the front and 1x2 for the rear. Buy angle, make template, bend on bench vise a little at a time so you dont over bend, paint, and mount. Stronger than plastic!
I made them out of aluminum angle. 1x3 for the front and 1x2 for the rear. Buy angle, make template, bend on bench vise a little at a time so you dont over bend, paint, and mount. Stronger than plastic!
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