Roof Basket Started

[Blackwater]

Photos sucks, drawings suck but you should get the idea. Below is a photo of my old Grand Cherokee and then again on my Cherokee just to show what I am going for in look. Just have to scale up in size for the Expedition. I wanted to round the corners but my pipe bender was denting the piping so I gave up and went angled. Not sure what Im going to do for a floor yet so if you got ideas shoot them to me. This is already heavy so think light. I was thinking something like a bleacher, aluminum and light but I dont know where Id get something like that. And NO Im not shopping at the local high school ! Lol

 

[panda24619]

what might work with some bracing if you can find enough and they are big enough is road signs. dont just go and get them off the highway. but if you can find some big signs it should work good. just paint them black.

 

[Blackwater]

Lol Dude I build Intersections!!! What kinda sign you want? Street names, Stop or one the size of a billboard!!! lol I dont want a solid floor. Now that you mentioned it I could get one big one and drill a whole hell of a lot of holes in it. Wonder if Id get lifted up at 65mpr?? Im going to look into that! But if I could find something like a bleacher then notch it to lay over the cross beams, running like 3 or 4 of them the length of the rack Id be able to stand and load and have ample attachment spots.

 

[panda24619]

well there you go. road signs work the best for anything! i wouldnt mind a nice reflective slow down sign when i go off roading. we always camp in between the wash a main road. so we have a slow down sign on the road but its not reflective. its so old. haha

 

[Blackwater]

Better photos. Going to have to cut out the one corner, not sure what happened but its off a bit. The top and bottom arent lined up yet.

 

[JDMitchell]

That looks like it will be built to withstand about anything, but what about the rack that you are attaching it to? I read somewhere that the load limit of the stock roof rack was 150 lbs. Maybe I'm wrong, but your rack by itself will be pushing that from the looks of it. I am going to buy a rack like this and also get the 24'' extension that will give me a total of 67''.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0525403640&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Blackwater]

Here is the foundation of the rack http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=7865


http://www.discountramps.com/cargoImages/roof-top-basket-11.jpg
This is right around the size of my rack on my Cherokee's.

The rack Im making is 88” x46” at about 28 sqft over the 16 sqft area with extension on most bought racks. I like the way my old rack fit a Cherokee and thats what I want to copy.

 

[JDMitchell]

Here is the foundation of the rack http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=7865


http://www.discountramps.com/cargoImages/roof-top-basket-11.jpg
This is right around the size of my rack on my Cherokee's.

The rack Im making is 88” x46” at about 28 sqft over the 16 sqft area with extension on most bought racks. I like the way my old rack fit a Cherokee and thats what I want to copy.

I will have the 24 inch extension also, but I will not have the ability to walk on my rack like you will. It looks like your roof will give in before your rack will. That looks really nice. I wish I had a welder to do my own work like that.

 

[panda24619]

I will have the 24 inch extension also, but I will not have the ability to walk on my rack like you will. It looks like your roof will give in before your rack will. That looks really nice. I wish I had a welder to do my own work like that.

ME TOO! i need to get one and practice especially if i want to be a welder! the rack is coming out great! im thinking about getting one or making one too!

 

[Blackwater]

You guys need a welder then!!! At the time mine was around $200 but it goes for around $150 at harbor freight.

I was able to fix that corner that got out of wack tonight. I just got to get or make a notching jig to make the supports, clean it up and paint it.

All and all its not as heavy as I thought it would be. Ill be sure to weigh it when Im done. From my other post and for the cross members I already have on the truck, those weigh less then a Thule crossbar and mounts. Guess when its all sad and done Ill see how many people I can get to stand on there to see what it can hold! Lol At least we can jump off before it gives!

 

[Blackwater]

JDMitchell,

The racks on my jeep were the same design as the one you posted. Useless you are going to be utilizing the stock roof rack and use a after market crossbar you should be able to walk on that basket. Im about 220 and have been on my old ones with gear. Had 6 kayaks each loaded with gear on there with no issues.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

One option for your "floor" is expanded steel. Maybe add a couple cross supports to help with the span and it should be solid, yet light.

 

[Blackwater]

Whats expanded steel?

Someone mentioned to me....stainless steel industrial kitchen rack shelving, just dont know where Id find that cheap!

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Expanded Metal
http://www.mcmaster.com/#expanded-metal/=azmbgn

 

[treycool94]

thats hardcore deff use that

 

[BigDaddy]

One option for your "floor" is expanded steel. Maybe add a couple cross supports to help with the span and it should be solid, yet light.

That is the first thing I thought of when you asked about flooring. You can check it out at your local Lowe's or Home Depot as well. They carry it. It may be smaller pieces than what you need, but you can get an idea and see if that is what you want.

 

[Sierra Lima1470]

That looks like it will be built to withstand about anything, but what about the rack that you are attaching it to? I read somewhere that the load limit of the stock roof rack was 150 lbs. Maybe I'm wrong, but your rack by itself will be pushing that from the looks of it. I am going to buy a rack like this and also get the 24'' extension that will give me a total of 67''.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0525403640&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

HA! Thats exactly what I was looking at and thinking about doing... If you get them, you'll have to tell me what you think of them. I'm still trying to sell myself on not being able to fit in the garage if I get a roof rack.

 

[Blackwater]

I'm still trying to sell myself on not being able to fit in the garage if I get a roof rack.

Yup that sucks! But try fitting out after you put lift on!! Im glad the tires deflated the 3" to get out.


Near future plan's are to lift the garage door opening about a foot and add another panel on the door , raising the door opener motor and tracks.


Im rethinking the basket. Maybe lose a crossbar or two and build them into the basket for floor support. And or maybe lowing the whole thing down removing all crossbars and making a mounting system to mount right to the tracks as low as I can get to the roof. Or screw the basket and sell it. Idk

 

[treycool94]

that looks great how much did it cost for you to make it?

 

[JDMitchell]

HA! Thats exactly what I was looking at and thinking about doing... If you get them, you'll have to tell me what you think of them. I'm still trying to sell myself on not being able to fit in the garage if I get a roof rack.

I should have it this week, I will post some pics once I get time to put it on. I don't worry about my expy being in the garage, that is where my wife parks the CX-9 and my motorcycle and all the tools takes up the other side.