roof rack build
#1
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Location: Indiana
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have been working on this roof rack in my spare time. I just finished the rain gutter clamps last night and hopfully will be able to finish the rack this weekend. I have peices cut to go between the rails and have to cut the bottom supports. I also am going to put a piece of expanded metal in the bottom and build a spare tire holder and bumper jack holder. If things go good I would like to get everything done on it except the tire and bumper jack holders this weekend. Its one inch ss square tubing .060 wall thickness. Im going to get the whole thing rino lined when finished.
Last edited by jmarcy85; 03-06-2013 at 11:20 AM.
#3
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Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Very cool, what did you bend your clamps with? Id trim the outside part so you can get to the thumb screw easier. Looks very sweet though, I like how you did the corners.
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I used a vise and hammer to bend them and the bolt is a Allen head bolt to draw the to pieces together but the head was to fat so I used a drill and belt sander to "turn" down the head. This is the 3rd design the first attempt was to make it hook all the way under the gutter but was to hard to bend. The second attempt I cut the hooked part off flush with the threaded part but thought leaving it long gives it a cleaner look. I will put together a material list of everything used when I get some time.
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Finally got back around to the roof rack turned out pretty good I think. I wanted to have 6 gutter clamps and I thought I made 6 but could only find 4 (one reason not to put things on the back burner!) the lights are just some china specials from harbor freight I'm going to get better lights at a later date. I still haven't made a tire holder for the roof because I haven't bought my wheels and tires yet(in the market for some 33s on steel rims if anyone has some laying around) but have a large u bolt from my powerstroke holding the spare to the roof rack. I also still have to get a piece of expanded metal for the bottom, I will do that when I do the tire holder. I also want to make a cover to go behind the lights just to make it look a little cleaner.
Next project is bumpers starting on the front and time is going to be an issue! I'm going wheeling next weekend and have a wrangler I'm fixing the rotted out rear frame rails on that I'm about done with so I will have one week to get it done. I have already made the mount plates and have cut some angle iron for main part of the bumper. I think I can do it but I don't get paid to think lol
Next project is bumpers starting on the front and time is going to be an issue! I'm going wheeling next weekend and have a wrangler I'm fixing the rotted out rear frame rails on that I'm about done with so I will have one week to get it done. I have already made the mount plates and have cut some angle iron for main part of the bumper. I think I can do it but I don't get paid to think lol
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#9
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
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Got a solid start on the bumper going to double up the metal at the anchor point and build a "stinger" and of corse probably put in more lights! I seen someone built some lawn edging fender flares and I want to make some of those and tie them into the bumper.
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