FJ60 Roof Rack

[cumminscruiser]

Thought about building a roof rack for my FJ60. 1 1/4" tube 1/16" wall A500 tube. So far I like using a aluminum ATV ramp for the bottom.
Make the bottom removeable, for a table or sand ladder.

I'll put a little curve on the front and back tubes to match the curve of the roof.

A couple of lights in the back as well.

Expanded metal is a memory hog.

 

[151fab]

I build all mine out of 1" x .060, with 1" x .090 and 1" x .045 mixed in. You could sit as many people as you could fit on one of my racks and it would hold. 1 1/4 x .060 is definitely over-kill, you're roof will collapse before you see the limit of that rack. See if you can't shave some weight by thinning the wall thickness, the 1 1/4 diameter will more than make up for it.

 

[cumminscruiser]

I was looking at the roof rack on a FJ Cruiser and it's about Ø1 1/4".

Still working on the design.

Can you post a picture of yours?

 

[151fab]

Here you go. this one used the stock mounting points of the oem roof rack. I worked out real slick and I was able to keep the roof rack within 1/2 inch of the crown of the roof.

This one is mounted to the thickest areas of the fiberglass shell on a '94 Bronco. Each mounting point is no less than 1/2" of layered fiberglass. I have had at least four beer-bellied friends standing at a time on this one and the rack's bottom wasn't deflecting more than 1/2 inch-ish. The tire carrier, no longer there, was mounted so that a cable-activated latch allowed you to swing the carrier over the tail gate and then remove the tire from it's mount. The tire also protruded through the bottom of the rack so that it was only 1/2 inch from the roof, therefor lowering it's profile as much as possible. The roof rack was also pinned to the receivers at the roof so that it could be removed easily.

THIS BRONCO IS FOR SALE, BY THE WAY.

Sorry about the picture size. You can see more on my site at: www.151fab.com

 

[cumminscruiser]

Nice job on the roof rack. At times I will carry another spare on the roof,but what I carry is just the rubber. The spare with the rim is under the truck or on the carrier at the back. So all I really need was the spare rubber and some tire tools just incase I have to replace it.

 

[Wander]

Your plan drawings look good and I like the plan to make the floor of the rack dual purpose although if the rack is loaded and you have to get the base to use as a sand ladder that could get a little trying as you would have to unload the whole rack first. If you're thinking about added a RTT at some point you might make a section of the rail removeable.

 

[cumminscruiser]

FJ60 Rack

I may just add a raised crossmember for thr RTT. The only problem I see is that with a sprung over cruiser I could get a nose bleed becouse of the altitude. :Astrologist:

Your plan drawings look good and I like the plan to make the floor of the rack dual purpose although if the rack is loaded and you have to get the base to use as a sand ladder that could get a little trying as you would have to unload the whole rack first. If you're thinking about added a RTT at some point you might make a section of the rail removeable.

 

[rmcnabb]

I love the curve built in to follow the roof. 1 1/4" is probably overkill for tubing - as others said. Save your weight for other things.

Move the fuel cans to the rear. You can use an inline siphon to fill the tank easier there and you'll never have to take them off the rack.

Where can you get generic gutter mounts to make your own racks?

151Fab - that's nice work on that rack. Is it stainless tubing?

 

[151fab]

No it's not stainless. The rack was sent to the owner who coated it himself. He gave me a great tip however. He coated the rack with the undercoating spray-paint you can get from some of the better paint manufacturers. I have seen the finished produce and I'm completely sold on the idea. It has a great texture that is functional as a non slip surface. Because of the dull finish and the texture you can touch-up paint it an indefinite number of times and you can't tell. You have to be sure not to use the tar-stuff, it wipes off onto everything and never dries. I'll see if I can find the exact brand he used.

 

[iigs]

So far I like using a aluminum ATV ramp for the bottom.

Awesome! I love this idea and intend to steal it from you someday when I get the chance to build a rooftop rack/basket for my vehicle.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Move the fuel cans to the rear.

I suggest moving the fuel cans off there altogether.

 

[cumminscruiser]

I'm with you on the fuel cans, I put them in the drawing for the Bling Factor since they are red.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I understand.

 

[rusty_tlc]

...

Where can you get generic gutter mounts to make your own racks?

...

Google is your friend.
http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orustore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=10451

 

[rusty_tlc]

I suggest moving the fuel cans off there altogether.

Why?