Cargo/Safari style roof rack for the K5?

[sandking]

I have seen plenty of styles, and prety sure how I want to build it, but how strong is the single wall top of the K5? I need to be able to remove the rack and the top, so going all the way down to the bedsides would be a pain. The rack will be self supporting in the center of it with only the edges attached the the top. I will need to be able to hold a spare 35" rim/tire, cooler, fuel can and misc other items. Is the sides of the fiberglass top strong enough to support a few hundred pounds? I like idea of this one found in a recent thread, but the tubes down to the top of the bedside would be a pain to remove the top, unless they come apart in pieces.....Any other ideas?

[sandking]

Similiar to this, but the light bar will be built into the rack....

[MrBeast]

Knowing you have the skill with the tubing bender, what about building a frame that bolted through your roof, and then an internal frame that landed on the edges of the top that bolt through to the bedsides, you could replace the chrome strip with 1/8"x2" flat bar, drill the holes and the whole thing would bolt in sturdy with out any drilling the steel body, and it would all remove with the same bolts that are required for removing your top any ways, it might even give you a little added protection in a roll over.

[sandking]

Hhhhmmm

[Gary 70 Jimmy]

I like the one in the first picture if you leave enough space between the rack and the top you could still take the top off without taking the rack off. If you want the top off but still need the rack for your stuff that would look cool.

[vtblazer]

To address the strength issue of the top alone carrying the weight, no way would it hold together.

As for a design to accommodate the weight, via a rack, a lot would depend on how quick and easy you want to be able to remove the top itself.

I'd have it bolt down through the top into the roll cage itself, let the cage carry the load, not the top.

Removing the top would mandate taking off the rack and reinstalling it but for strength and ease of overall installation it would be the simplest IMO.

[frostie_122]

you could build some thing like an exo-cage. safari style top with arms running down the sides contouring the shape of the top (front and rear of window on the top) and instead of having them bolt into the bedsides have cleats that are sandwiched between the top and bed rails and bolt into the exsisting top mounting bolts and would be very load barring i would think. you would have to build some better bed to top weather strips but at least no extra drilling.
just an idea from one i built for a 2001 chevy silverado. his was a full exo-cage though.

[sandking]

I am thinking that I can "Sandwich" the fiberglass top top in a four places with plate on both sides. Then have a "Tab" mounted to the underside that can attach to another tab on the cage itself. More of a 3-piece tab at each location. So, from the top down, it would go in this order:

From the roof rack
to the top plate then to the underside plate
then to the cage

I can easily remove the rack from the roof by pulling 4 pins from the top plate, then I can remove the top by pulling pins from the bottom plate.

Does this make sense, or did I just confuse all of you as much as I did myself??

If I could draw, it would make sense. Oh well, we will see what happens.

[HarrisonTX]

vtblazer, you dont think simply bolting the rack to the removable top would carry a tire, and 10 gallons of fuel?

Any luck on finding a safari rack? i havnt found anything, anywhere.

[sandking]

I will be building my own. It will be a while, but it will get done.

[1972CST]

Right on man, Thats exactly what was in my head. You beat me to the explanation. You did alot better job than I could have. As long as all your weight is off the top/rack before the top is removed, your good. You could make it so you could re-install the rack w/ out the top on also. Versatility baby!

Originally Posted by sandking

I am thinking that I can "Sandwich" the fiberglass top top in a four places with plate on both sides. Then have a "Tab" mounted to the underside that can attach to another tab on the cage itself. More of a 3-piece tab at each location. So, from the top down, it would go in this order:

From the roof rack
to the top plate then to the underside plate
then to the cage

I can easily remove the rack from the roof by pulling 4 pins from the top plate, then I can remove the top by pulling pins from the bottom plate.

Does this make sense, or did I just confuse all of you as much as I did myself??

If I could draw, it would make sense. Oh well, we will see what happens.

[sandking]

[QUOTE=1972CST;2913984]Right on man, Thats exactly what was in my head. You beat me to the explanation. You did alot better job than I could have. As long as all your weight is off the top/rack before the top is removed, your good. You could make it so you could re-install the rack w/ out the top on also. Versatility baby![/QUOTE]


Exactly!! We shall see what I come up with.

[1972CST]

Cant wait to see what the faster mabricator comes up with!!!!
Just kidding, I envy your skill and ability. Let me know when your ready for my Blazer.

[sandking]

Thanks!!

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by HarrisonTX

vtblazer, you dont think simply bolting the rack to the removable top would carry a tire, and 10 gallons of fuel?

It would hold the weight, sure but not the weight bouncing/bobbing down the road or running in the desert.

Over time the fiberglass will give out and bust apart from the unnatural forces being placed upon it.