grandjunktion

Has anyone out there made a homemade rear roof rack. It seems simple enough but i've never seen one. Here's what I was thinking: Building a simple frame out of 2x4's which I would attach by bolting through the two existing holes (~3/4) near the roll bar. In the rear I would attach using 2 large U - bolts around the roll bars. I'm thinking of just attaching a plywood deck and building an open box with some 2x6's. This would be attached with the top down of course and would mean I wouldn't be able to put the top up, but it's summertime. Any comments, suggestions, etc>?

Camblynn

I really would like to build one seeing as it's not to complicated but I would use metal over wood.

grandjunktion

i'd prefer metal too, but i am no welder and wood is cheaper

grandjunktion

Well despite all the responses encouraging a metal roof rack, I built one out of wood on a jk with no top and am impressed with it's initial endurance. I might go into greater detail of the build later, but in synopsis, I built it cheap (~ $50 - $75) & quickly due to lack of resources. I plan on beefing it up for peace of mind, but I had to go with the resources I could easily find & quickly build, so we could take our dogs & gear camping this weekend. It withstood very high winds (anyone that was around western Colorado or eastern Utah, Moab area this Memorial Day Weekend, knows what I am talking about) and a ~ 60 mph collision. It is made of 2x4's for the base, with 5/8" bolts and washers connecting the front to the 2 pre-drilled 3/4" holes just in front of the factory sound bar covering. In the rear I secured it using 2- 3" Pipe U bolts. For the sides I used 2x6's and 2 x 4's planked for the base. I would have secured the rear better, however I couldn't find stronger, wider, or any better U bolts quickly (I went to 4 different hardware stores). I would definitely recommend a better way of securing the rear, using stronger and more U bolts, however I used what I could find and it withstood my weekend testing. I secured my gear using 2 - ratchet straps over the top, connected to the rear seat loops. In regard to what the rack endured: I drove to Moab Fri afternoon and back early morning sun in gusty ~ 30 - 50 winds. Sat. (without any load) we did the Top of the World Trail, with no problem. Not even a mile from my home, very early sunday morning (we had to leave early because the winds were too intense for tent camping) we were struck by a toyota celica racing at least 50-60 Mph, while we were stopped. The rack/gear didn't move a bit. Once again, I would recommend using more / stronger bolts to secure the rear, however my build withstood a hellava test run. So far I'm impressed. Pics to follow.

grandjunktion

CDavisJK

Sorry about your Jeep but that roof rack looks really nice. That's the sort of thing I had in mind because I'd have to top off. I would appreciate details and more pictures if you have them.

twistedjeep@gmail.com

Maybe you could build a new grill and bumper out of a nice pine!

8000ft

here's mine that is a light weight design. I did it for hauling the Christmas tree out of the forest but I have used it for other light items as well.

RANGER666

when I was about 17 yrs old, I made one out of threaded metal conduit bought at home depot. They come in different sizes and can be connected together using "T" intersections or 90 degree angles. I then used black wire shelving and lined the bottom of the roof rack which was safety wired together. Now looking back it was pretty hokey but I was on a budget and I used what I could. Good luck to ya!