roof rack plans

Does anyone have plans for a custom roof rack they've made? I'm looking to build one from scratch - i.e., removing the factory cross rails and attaching to the locations where they bolt on.. then planning on doing something similar to the rock lizard gecko basket rack but with two cross bars on top to house the surfboards.. pls let me know.. also what is the best material to use? diameter? I've seen electrical conduit used?

Thanks

im working on one right now i wont have it built for a while though, as far as material i would say aluminum if you have the ability to weld it, downfall to aluminum is cost, steel is easy to work with and cheaper than aluminum but you also have more weight and it rusts if not properly painted or powdercoated and cared for, the strength of the steel basket would be much more than aluminum but then the question comes in, will you ever have that much weight on the roof?, some people do so in those cases steel is better, if youre just doing it for occasional lightweight use and looks then aluminum would be better but then its an issue of how much do you want to spend on something you'll seldom use, for the roof rails i would do 1.25" or 1.5" diameter tubing and the basket itself i wouldnt go over 1" diameter, unless you like the look of the larger tubing for the basket

Hey I was a engineering drafter before I broke my back. I have a set of plans for a roof rack that you can change the dimensions on to make them work for you. I will have to figure out how to attach the plans so you can use them.

I made cross bars out of top rail used for chain link fences and a set of clamps from an awning system. All galvanized steel so you dont have to worry about rust. Im sure you can put somthing together pretty easy. Also for a basket ive seen some one use a steel bed frame, and jb weld and pop rivets to hold it together. All painted up it looked pretty damn good for what it was made out of.

brokendad said:

Hey I was a engineering drafter before I broke my back. I have a set of plans for a roof rack that you can change the dimensions on to make them work for you. I will have to figure out how to attach the plans so you can use them.

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I'm interested in seeing your plans. If you email them to me, I can post them up for you. PM me for my email address if you're interested.

Hey I was a engineering drafter before I broke my back. I have a set of plans for a roof rack that you can change the dimensions on to make them work for you. I will have to figure out how to attach the plans so you can use them.

Click to expand...

I am currently a solidworks / cadd designer and would be intrested in your plans I have a 2012 lib and would rather build than buy. I could convert your plans into 3D and send them back if your intrested. pm me and I can give you my e-mail
Wulf

I'm in the planning stages right now for one. I have a model I can show you all but it is not to scale. I'm thinking of using aluminum angle iron to bolt down to the roof and have the cross bars bolt/weld to those. I also have a rear bumper/quarter guard that comes down from the roof and attaches to the hitch bolts that can double as an electrical conduit so you don't have to drill the roof for lights.