Cost Effective Disco 2 Roof Rack Options?

[Ricks_Adventures]

I'm looking for a REALLY cheap way of getting or building a roof rack for my Rover. I'm talking college student, peanut butter and jelly sandwich everyday kind of cheap. Does anyone have any ideas? Craigslist in South Mississippi is pretty bone dry on that kind of stuff.

Thanks,
Richard

 

[MLu]

I'm also looking at cheap alternatives for a D2 roof rack.. my money is better spent elsewhere at the moment. I have some Thule gutter mounts and roof bars, which are functional, but not quite what I have in mind for a more semi-permanent solution. I'm playing with the thought of doing some cutting, grinding, welding and painting and seeing what I can come up with using an old (like early 1980's) Transit van roof rack, it looks like it just might be the right size, give or take a weekend worth of the aforementioned activities.

 

[Howski]

It'd be helpful to know why you want a roof rack and what you intend to use it for it is

 

[Ricks_Adventures]

MLu, I've considered doing something similar. It's just that I'm pretty short on time haha
Howski, I would put SOME gear up there occasionally, but I really would like to eventually get a roof top tent. Also, to sit/stand on for photography.


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[krick3tt]

I have seen some really inventive RR built with plywood and 2X lumber cut to make it work. Drill holes in the plywood for tie downs or use clips of some kind and bolt the 2X material to the existing bolt holes in the D's roof rails. Of it is only for a season maybe, but it will be very inexpensive. Paint it for longevity.
Too cheap for you? Try CL for a bargain.
Ask one of your fellow college students for a design, make it a challenge. Award beer.

 

[Ray_G]

For light duty I'd suggest electrical conduit, a pipe bender, and a lot of beer. While it would be most elegant welded together since it is aluminum that may well be out and you can clamp or bolt it together. I'd do this before going with lumber.

More than that, I'd keep an eye on craigslist for any kind of rack that pops up since that option may well be a far more suitable alternative.

 

[Ricks_Adventures]

krick3tt, I'm a wannabe physicist. My ego doesn't permit me to ask someone else to draw it. Haha actually, I've drawn multiple designs, but I couldn't think of a suitable material. I figured plywood would be too heavy.
Ray_G, conduit hadn't even crossed my mind. I suppose I could make a conduit rectangle, rounded corners of course, with some cross members and chicken or pig wire. I'm sure it would be strong. But what's the best way to mount to the gutter rails?
Man I'd love to get it done tonight, but I just don't have time.

I do think I'll pay myself in gratuitous amounts of beer though.

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[DiscoDavis]

x3 on trawling craigslist, some killer deals pop up from time to time. That and the other forums. Wood is so dense and heavy I wouldn't want to deal with that.

 

[99Discovery]

I was in the same boat........but then I decided to go the other way. The FrontRunner Roof Rack system is modular and the D2 rack can be extended to fit say a JKU or L322. It can even be extended to fit the LR3/LR4/RRS, but it might stick out a bit too far.

So unlike a custom roof rack, you can purchase the Front Runner (I know, not cheap) with their excellent mounting system and products already compatible and then when you upgrade/move-on from the D2, you can transfer your rack to your new rig.

That's kind of my thought at the moment. You can even start with the Slimline half-rack, which is under $1k and extend it later if you need/want the full rack.

 

[Howski]

Unless you have a ton of gear, some Thule bars + generic half basket should work well

 

[Skkeel01]

http://landroverforums.com/forum/discovery-ii-18/diy-roof-rack-70840/page5/#post560705

You might have to log in to see it, but this guy provides detailed plans for building your own.

 

[MLu]

http://landroverforums.com/forum/discovery-ii-18/diy-roof-rack-70840/page5/#post560705

You might have to log in to see it, but this guy provides detailed plans for building your own.

Here we go, that's what I've been looking for. The budget is still not in the bag-of-peanuts-and-roll-of-duct-tape territory that the original poster is looking for, but for me this is perfect.

 

[AdvRovr]

I'd say to use the stock rails and crossbars and find a used Thule or Yakima roof basket. That's about the cheapest you can get.

 

[krick3tt]

You said cheap, you said nothing about it being light...that's why the plywood suggestion.
I have the Front Runner roof rack that is made for the LR3 and it is a perfect fit. Easy to put together and there are a myriad of accessories, even some Baja rack things fit. Bolts directly to the existing on the vehicle roof rails. Even a scientist (physicist) can do it...comes with directions and it is not from China, so it works.
It is not cheap but it is for a lifetime, so it amortizes out to be not much in the long run. Use your slide rule and pencil to get the true value.

 

[Frobisher]

If you have the Thule towers, that's half the battle for an econo roof rack. Search CL for a used folding atv ramp. That will you get a 4'x6' deck once you bolt it rigid. This guy has the plans that got me going:

http://www.wildyoats.com/the_j-rack.htm

I built it up on my D1 for a place to sleep, haul stuff, jungle gym for the kids (mine and the neighbors), hang at least 3 hammocks, and whatever. Some grade 5 or 8 bolts to fix it to your Thule bars or use U bolts if you don't want to drill your bars. A pair of towers fore/aft is sufficient, but a third or fourth set would make it totally bomber. As long as you maintain a reasonable, static load, you'll be good with two sets. Go for it.