I decided to build a roof rack for my newly acquired Cherokee. I have NO prior experience welding or fabricating, and actually just received my first welder 2 months ago a Hobart 140. I started practicing welding about 2 weeks ago so my welding skills are limited!
Here are my plans...
1" 16ga square tubing
50"x74" dimensions
Custom brackets from local shop

I picked up the square tubing for $14 per 20 foot piece. So a total of 4 sticks for $56! I paid $60 for a set of 6 brackets and it came with 20 light tabs for that price. So a total of $116 for all the parts needed for my rack. Once again I am VERY NEW to welding so be kind!!

 

 

 

 

looks good

 

Nice job on your roof rack but I couldn't help notice your wheel carrier. Did you make that too? Can you provide some close ups of it?

 

 

Nice job on the wheel carrier (& wheel caps) too . I never would have thought of mounting it to the body like you did but it makes good sense.

 

Can I ask where you picked up the rain gutter tabs? Looking at making my own rack and that is one of the last parts I am missing.

 

I picked them up from a guy in Phoenix. I will PM you his contact info.

 

what's that cup say? is it "with great tofu, comes great responsibility"? lol. i love it.

 

mykdee - I know this is a thread about your roof rack build (great job!) but I'm intrigued by your rear wheel carrier (also a great job!). Regarding how you mounted the hinged end to the body, I "think" you removed the right taillight, bolted or welded a bracket of some sort to the body behind the taillight and then reinstalled it. There's plenty of room behind the taillight for an anchor point but there's next to no gap between the taillight and the tailgate when it's closed.

It looks like your hinge/pivot bracket is made from 1/8" plate steel and that you welded a tube or pipe of about 1" O.D. to it outside of the body for reinforcement.

Basic question ... is your bracket 1/8" plate and did you have to create a wider gap between your taillight and tailgate to get the bracket between them? The gap on my XJ seems to be way too tight. You obviously made it work!

 

Where'd you get your roof rack mounts with the JEEP XJ cut out of them? My brother-in-law makes some just like those. They are amazing.