Roof rack done!

[evldave]

Finally! I mounted it all up today and got the tire up top with the hi-lift and jerry cans mounted. I haven't decided what to do with the rear bike rack/tire mount, but will likely build something that holds a shovel, axe, and maybe my hitch rack (so it's up off the ground like it would be if it used the regular hitch rack).

For now, though, it's done and I can move on to the interior.

Couldn't attach pics for some reason, so here are links to my webshots pictures

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...85270165WpTLgU

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...85270165LtQYhr

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...85270165mPEFOU
(note, the truck is level, I can't take a good picture)

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...85270165XaPHKh


I get no whistle sounds and no rattles yet. I do get a low hum wind noise at freeway speeds, but that's what XM radio is for. I can walk on the whole rack and it flexes maybe 1/8-1/4 inch at most. Even with the tire up top it seems very solid, so I'll be able to add all my other stuff (storage, air compressor, battery, lights, etc).

[Sewie]

Turned out pretty good.

Are you going to fab up some mounts for the front? I'd be worried about it bouncing and hitting the roof if you put any weight up there.

[evldave]

Thanks for the comment. I will eventually put front mounts on - I've already gone the design done (will involve some 3/4" square stock that goes down into the mounting hole). But I'm waiting until I get the new plastic later this spring.

As far as contacting the roof, I jumped up and down on it today after I got it mounted and it only flexes ~1/2", but it's got 2-3" of clearance. I certainly won't spend a lot of time up there until the mounts are done since the tubing will flex and bend over time, but for now (and waiting until the new plastic), it should be ok.

[Idaho-Hummer]

nice, put how heavy is the spare? Isn't kinda a difficult to put the spare up there?

I like it.

[Waxing]

Looks great, good luck with it.

[NEOCON1]

nice

[DarthKarl]

Originally posted by NEOCON1:
nice

x2!

[DDWH]

Originally posted by DarthKarl:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NEOCON1:
nice

x2! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

X3!

[H3HUMVEE]

looks good ...

[westhillsat]

Great job

[FLYINGBADGER2006]

If you can't win it. Then build it.

[Edspad]

Nice Job

[Ma\'Deuce]

Looks great. so how much invested so far? steel. did you get it coated yet?
I'm thinking of a project like that myself. i'm trying to use my thule towers and incorperate the bars into the rack, but i'd like it to sit a little closer to the roof like yours.
Again, looks great. can't wait to see it coated. i think i remember you saying you were getting it line-x'd?

[evldave]

Originally posted by Ma'Deuce:
Looks great. so how much invested so far? steel. did you get it coated yet?
I'm thinking of a project like that myself. i'm trying to use my thule towers and incorperate the bars into the rack, but i'd like it to sit a little closer to the roof like yours.
Again, looks great. can't wait to see it coated. i think i remember you saying you were getting it line-x'd?

I will have it Line-x'd eventually. I'm still adding parts (added axe/shovel mount yesterday), so coating it now while I'm still welding on various parts wouldn't be good . I've already decided to add 4 light mount tabs to the front and 2 to the rear.

I'm also adding a ring mount for a 5lb mini propane tank at the passenger rear corner - I've got a 12' propane hose that will allow me to cook under the rear awning (yes, a retractable one of those is coming once I get some free time).

I've already got a quote of $250 from the local Line-x dealer for the whole rack blasted and coated - a bit more than I wanted - I may get it powdercoated instead ($200 if I can piggyback on another cook in their big oven).

Total cost so far (from what I can remember):

3/4 x .065 square stock (top rail) - ~20' = $15 (free really, been in my garage for a year or more)
1" x .065 round bar (bottom rail) - ~20' = $20 (I think it might have actually been cheaper)
1-1/2 x .090 squate - 8' (center cross bars) = $15
1-1/2 x .120 square - 8' (end cross bars) = $20
4' x 8' Expanded metal flooring - $45
Misc other metal chunks used for mounts, etc - Freebie! (leftover crap in my garage)

Total cost, give or take - $120 (90% cheaper than a Gobi, by the way)

Accessories:

Doesn't include the diamond plate front fairing that will be installed (in my garage, leftover from a boat floor, so it will be free)
Cost of the Hi-lift mount - $30
Cost of the Axe/shovel mount (Wilderness) - $80
U-bolt to mount the spare tire - $2.99
Stainless nuts & bolts - around $50

[kennyosemite]

elvdave - you gave me some advice earlier on a roof rack for a kayak (not to use rollers because they create impressions in the boat when it gets hot). How do you envision loading your boat onto kayak saddles with this new rig?

[Ma\'Deuce]

Dave, thanks for the reply. look forward to seeing the completed project. keep us posted.

[evldave]

Kenny-Right now, I'm using my grey foam kayak holders and tie-down straps. One goes on the front crossbar, the other sits on the tire. It holds the kayak down just fine, but is a PIA to load up.

The reason I haven't put any mounts yet is I'm trying to decide which way to mount the kayak - on the saddles or (this one is a new thing for me) use an upright mount which holds the kayak on it's side.

My dillema here is getting the kayak up on the rig. I can load from the front over the hood just fine if I use the saddles, but the spare tire sits up higher so the whole kayak would be angled down in the front (the saddles in the back would have to be mounted high enough for the kayak to clear the tire). On my Suburban rack, the kayak sits on one side, the tire on the other, but the H3 isn't wide enough for that. On my Jeep (same width), the kayak was on one side over the spare time with a yakima spacebooster on the other side. The kayak sat up way high - it looked like a command module for a starship enterprise or something!

At this point, I'm stuck for a long-term solution. I'd love to hear from others on this forum with ideas for this. The advantage of building a rack is that the design canbe made up on the fly - but this one thing has been eating at me for awhile. Oh well, I'll go have a few beers, free up my mind, and probably come up with something down the line...

Looks both functional and sturdy. I think I need one of those to help curb my habit of going 80+mph on the freeway.

S.

[evldave]

I've hit 85 so far! I'm thinking if I go downhill, wind at my back and have a fat chick in the passenger seat, I might actually be able to hit the govenor @ 99. That will test the roof mounts, won't it!

[Ma\'Deuce]

Dave, i used to have a yakima rack on another truck topper and it had the vertical bars that held the kayaks on their sides. could you put a post in the middle of the spare and a vertical post on the front bar? you'd have to jack the height up in the front so the nose of the kayak doesn't hang down in front of you while driving. i know what your saying though about it being a PITA to load. it was easier to do with 2 people, but still sucked.
here's a quick, poorly drawn pic of what i was saying.