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ladder for roofrack.

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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 08:18 PM
  #1  
Blind Driver's Avatar
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L (242) SMPI I6 Power Tech engine
Default ladder for roofrack.

Ok so I've been thinking of building a ladder for my roof rack for a while now. I didn't think I would need one but I tore the tendons in my shoulder and trying to pull myself up was too difficult. I didn't want one that was permanent because I didn't want to have the blocked rear window and I couldn't find a good war to mount it on the sides. I got the idea from a ladder I saw in Venice. My idea was to have it clip onto the rack and have it rest on the bumper. I used 3/4 inch square to match the rack and the angles are 1 inch. I will finish tomorrow but figured I would take you a taste of what I've done so far.

Picture of everything I used. Tools and materials.
ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120810_210950.jpg


Just mocked up to get angles and measurements.
ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120810_210957.jpg
ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120810_211007.jpg

Pieces cut and laid out.
ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120810_211018.jpg

Welded together and sitting on the jeep.
ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120810_211046.jpg
ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120810_211054.jpg

U bracket to attach ladder to roof.
ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120810_211101.jpg

Parts laid out. Tomorrow I'll well on the rungs and the clamps as well and grind everything smooth and paint it.
ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120810_211111.jpg
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 09:08 PM
  #2  
kuzican's Avatar
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From: Forest Hill, Maryland
Year: 1998
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this is very interesting, would Love to see how it ends up. Might end up doing something similar with my roof rack, when I finally get it....
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 09:14 PM
  #3  
BatmanXJ's Avatar
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From: Hamburg AR
Year: 1995
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Engine: 4.0 HO
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Hard to tell from pics.
Does the hatch open?
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 09:32 PM
  #4  
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Its not a permanent ladder. The plan is for the ladder to live under the rack until its needed. Then pull it out and attach.
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 09:44 PM
  #5  
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From: San Jose
Year: 89
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Sub'd, looks really good, though id recommend using the same tubing for the steps. angle iron is going to be a little too rough looking I think.
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 10:12 PM
  #6  
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I am using the tubing. Angle is only for the mounts
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 10:57 PM
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if i do one, im going to hinge it, so it will go up with the hatch.
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Old Aug 11, 2012 | 12:54 PM
  #8  
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cool idea, i have one built into the side of my exo, well the start of one anyway. another way to do it would be to find one off of a 80's van conversion in the junk yard, thoses are aluminum too.
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Old Aug 11, 2012 | 01:12 PM
  #9  
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I've seen one or two done and they look cool as hell.

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Old Aug 11, 2012 | 03:21 PM
  #10  
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I really like that ^ combo with the tire carrier.
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Old Aug 11, 2012 | 03:32 PM
  #11  
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From: Ft Myer, Va
Year: 2001
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I like that look as well but I'm still confused why folks mount the tire directly in the way to create a blind spot. Why not have the tire on the drivers side and the see through ladder on the passenger side? *shrugs*
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Old Aug 11, 2012 | 04:17 PM
  #12  
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great style we think alike. love your jeep
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Old Aug 11, 2012 | 08:51 PM
  #13  
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Ok so finished it up today. Welded it all up and then painted.


ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120811_214736.jpg



ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120811_214750.jpg



ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120811_214800.jpg



ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120811_214811.jpg

Still drying but I'll post pics tomorrow. Also thinking of dipping the ends in Plastic-Dip. Its the stuff designed for redoing the handles of tools. Hope to add grip and protection of the finish


ladder for roofrack.-forumrunner_20120811_214822.jpg

Last edited by Blind Driver; Aug 11, 2012 at 09:00 PM.
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Old Aug 11, 2012 | 10:07 PM
  #14  
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Half tempted to do this myself now...
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Old Aug 11, 2012 | 10:26 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by motorcharge
Half tempted to do this myself now...
me as well, but I need to get my roof rack first. guy who's welding it is working 16 hour shifts, so we haven't been able to set up a pick up time/date.
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