05+ Tacoma Roof Basket Build

[tooblutacoma06]

Hey guys, I started on my roof basket build. I'll update this thread as I go along. Let me know what yall think.

Original Design:

Build:

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[bomar]

Nice work

 

[Box Rocket]

Looking good. Nice lines to it. Using conduit? Let's see more.

 

[Funrover]

Lookin good so far

 

[tooblutacoma06]

Looking good. Nice lines to it. Using conduit? Let's see more.

Yep, 1" and 3/4" conduit. That's all the pics I've got for now. School sucks at allowing time for much else (Go Gators!).

 

[Dave Bennett]

Looks very nice, great design! :Wow1:

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

Very nice, I was playing around with the idea of building a basket to go over my bed out of conduit. How are you welding it, are you sanding off the galvinization?

 

[tooblutacoma06]

Very nice, I was playing around with the idea of building a basket to go over my bed out of conduit. How are you welding it, are you sanding off the galvinization?

I'm using a MIG welder (230V, 180A I think). It's actually pretty easy to weld. This is my first welding project and I've been able to do well on it. I'm leaving the galvanizing on. Word of caution though, use some sort of gaseous respirator. The zinc from the galvanizing will mess you up. I didn't wear a respirator last time and I got light-headed and my jaw muscles got sore! It was kind of scary. So yea, weld in a well ventilated area (not inside like me) and wear a respirator and you should be good.

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

Yea the zinc is what I was worried about. If I decide to give it a try I might just try sanding as much of it as I can and working ouside.

 

[Geno_T10098]

They sell a spray, called galv-off its pink in color, it will take the galvinized coating right off, no need to sand the pipes.

 

[tooblutacoma06]

Update:

Building has been slow due to school but the basket is finally done. All I have to do now is paint it and build some crossbars. Here's some pics.

Light tabs:

Tabs for bolting on a ferring:

Light tabs for the rear lights:

Use the bat for scale

Atleast my pup likes it!!

Let me know what you guys think

 

[Faol]

That looks great. What does it weigh?

 

[tooblutacoma06]

That looks great. What does it weigh?

Thanks! I'm not exactly sure what the weight it but if I had to guess I'd say 40-50lbs. Not too terrible for being constructed completely out of steel.

 

[peekay]

what are you going to mount it on the truck with? yakima?

 

[PajEvo]

<hijack>What kind of dog? Man he's a handsome boy!</hijack>

Did you purposely size it so it would fit in the bed as well as the roof? Sure would be handy at times... Very nice!