Roof Rack Idea

[4x4Dalton]

Hey yall was searchin web last night and found someone who had made one out of wood. http://www.cherokeeforum.com/members/majshake-30602/albums/xj-pics/42998-pic5555.jpg Im likin the looks of it and thinkin of makin one myself. I do want yalls opinions on this. It looks big enough and sturdy enough for a spare and a Hi-Lift on the side.

[steph74]

what about weight ?

[4x4Dalton]

By lookin at it(bout 100 times :D ) It looks like they used 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 or 2 for bottom and sides and 2x4 for middle pieces. So the weight of rack itself wont be that bad plus its going to be mounted to the rails.

[4x4Dalton]

After lookin at the available lumber I think going with 2x2 and 2x6 would be strong enough to support a 31in spare and a Hi-Lift jack. Of course it all will be primed and painted with bolts instead of screws.

[Mudderoy]

Need more cheese.

Personally I'd do it with metal, or wait until I could. Wood I do it? No. But that's just my opinion.

[prerunner1982]

What is the weight rating for a stock XJ roof rack? I know my wife's S-10 Blazer was like 150lbs, wife's mini-van is 100lbs. Anyone know? I wonder how many people are near/exceed the rating when they add aftermarket racks to their existing/stock rack.

I don't like things on the roof like that....

[4x4Dalton]

Im readin 150-200 lbs is weight rating for them.

[xj4life2]

I have to agree with Muddy on this one, you would have buy water proof lumber and then re treat it and primer and paint plus all the hardware you would need to make it strong enough to do what you are asking would be costly. Then sadly after a couple winters it would warp like all wood does. Now lets flip this a little you have the design and can get the measurements you want off yours right / Ok so get all that together and go to a place that sells steel and price it I would imagine mabey $60.00 in materials without a solid floor, (I used 1x12 for my floor and changed it out every couple years) Once you have the materials you can cut them and mock everything up. Now you need to get it welded right? Well I'm dead sure somebody on here would be more than happy to give you and hand with that and now you've saved a $100.00 plus and it will last forever !! Call me or PM me if you have questions on material or whatever , to bad you aint closer Bro we could hook it up !!!

[xj4life2]

What is the weight rating for a stock XJ roof rack? I know my wife's S-10 Blazer was like 150lbs, wife's mini-van is 100lbs. Anyone know? I wonder how many people are near/exceed the rating when they add aftermarket racks to their existing/stock rack.

I don't like things on the roof like that....

The ones that attach to your factory rack are only 150lbs or so . The ones that use a guttermount 2 or 3 to a side can go 500lbs depending on size and how there made (welded 100% or bolt together) Mine was a Confer with three gutter mounts on each side and I could easily put a couple hundred pounds plus the spare and the axe and shovel

[steph74]

I am sure you could even find cheaper and welding free with EMT.... I have looked at a couple that use EMT, a tube bender and some screws.... they claim it is super resistant can hold the tire some lights and a jack.
I have seen it first hand and it looks good.
Material cost less than $100 including paint and primer if you can find a bender to borrow

[KH96XJ]

I have to agree with Muddy on this one, you would have buy water proof lumber and then re treat it and primer and paint plus all the hardware you would need to make it strong enough to do what you are asking would be costly. Then sadly after a couple winters it would warp like all wood does. Now lets flip this a little you have the design and can get the measurements you want off yours right / Ok so get all that together and go to a place that sells steel and price it I would imagine mabey $60.00 in materials without a solid floor, (I used 1x12 for my floor and changed it out every couple years) Once you have the materials you can cut them and mock everything up. Now you need to get it welded right? Well I'm dead sure somebody on here would be more than happy to give you and hand with that and now you've saved a $100.00 plus and it will last forever !! Call me or PM me if you have questions on material or whatever , to bad you aint closer Bro we could hook it up !!!

Plus the fact that anything that hits the wood hard enough will chip/spliter/break it.

[prerunner1982]

As far as the wood rack goes.. I think it looks fine and would probably work for a spare and hi-lift. From a distance you probably couldn't tell that it was wood anyways..

[cantab27]

na not outa wood bear......break it on the trails...

[4.3LXJ]

Hey Bear, considering what they want for a roof rack nowadays, this would be an option for you. But my question is, how are you looking to attach it?

[cantab27]

Hey Bear, considering what they want for a roof rack nowadays, this would be an option for you. But my question is, how are you looking to attach it?

tree roots...............:D

[prerunner1982]

The ones that attach to your factory rack are only 150lbs or so . The ones that use a guttermount 2 or 3 to a side can go 500lbs depending on size and how there made (welded 100% or bolt together) Mine was a Confer with three gutter mounts on each side and I could easily put a couple hundred pounds plus the spare and the axe and shovel


Gutters must be pretty strong... 500lbs seems like a lot to be putting up there. I know the weight is distributed depending on the number of mounts, but still....


Also, anything mounted to the roof will cause it to cave in far more than having nothing on the roof in a roll over...

[4.3LXJ]

Gutters must be pretty strong... 500lbs seems like a lot to be putting up there. I know the weight is distributed depending on the number of mounts, but still....


Also, anything mounted to the roof will cause it to cave in far more than having nothing on the roof in a roll over...

The gutter area is quite strong. It is the back bone of the unibody

[xj4life2]

The gutter area is quite strong. It is the back bone of the unibody

Also the clamps that are used are about four inches wide and spaced evenly to distribute the weight , trust me they will hold it

[LizardRunner]

tree roots...............:D

Vines are more flexable and easier to get hold of. :rolleye0012:

[4x4Dalton]

Well after readin all the replies I got I decided to go with 3/4 emt. Got the pipe in 5ft sections bought some 90's and sections to peice the elbows and straight together. Just need to figure out what to use for the bottom.

[LizardRunner]

1 1/2" should work bro.

[ice_cold]

(I used 1x12 for my floor and changed it out every couple years)

That should take care of the floor ^^^^

Looking at emt as well. Simple bender needed, that can be rented. And it can be picked up in 7 different colors!

[4x4Dalton]

Got the rack built just need to paint it and get pieces to mount it to rails then I will post pics :camera: and I took alot :D.

[LizardRunner]

can't wait to see those pics bro.