New Roof Rack!!!

[skoobydoobiedew]

Welded this up over a boring weekend. I wanted it pretty low profile, but still functional. It also has a light bar that sticks out of the front with 4 tabs. I haven't mounted my lights yet because I still have to get my roof rack powder coated. I'm having a guy sandplast the primer off then powder coating it for $35. Not too bad huh? Then I'll mount and re-wire my lights. It's made out of 1" steel tubing if anyone is wondering. Eventually I'll make hi-lift jack mounts and probably an axe/shovel mount. Let me know what you think!! Here's the pictures! (scroll down a bit)

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2237262/3

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

very nice

 

[rookieshooter]

Very nice work. Is that made out of 1/2" black pipe? Might just add you can allways add what you call expanded metal on the top of the pipes to keep things from coming into contact with the roof. That's the stuff with the diamond holes in it. Nice welds also.

 

[skoobydoobiedew]

Thanks! The metal is 1" O.D. Steel. I usually use 3/4" I.D. Schedule 40 black pipe for most of my projects, but I went with a thinner wall'ed metal for the roof rack because it was already going to be heavy, and I know a lot of manufacturers use aluminum so any steel is better than nothing. I miter'ed the corners (45 degrees) which worked well. As for the expanded metal, I'll add in more. This was mostly a test fit to see if I even liked the basic design. I still have more mounts and things to add on, but I just used some spray paint to seal it up while I decided where to go next with the rack. As soon as I'm done tinkering, I'll send it in to the powder coater. Also, thanks for the comment on the welds! That means a lot because no one has ever showed me how. I bought a Craftsman wire-feed welder and just went at it. I don't think I'm that good yet, but I'm getting better, so thanks!