Diy roof rack 2 fleetside?????

[66clow]

With the success of DWC'S sweet roof rack on his burb it got my wheels turning. Roof rack on a fleetside???? I was familiar with i.o.racks on VW singlecabs so why not a fleetside??? I quickly found a sweet deal on Craigslist for the same brackets as DWC'S for 25 bucks. Here is the mock up stay tuned off to Lowe's to pick up some wood. Open to ideas before it is too late.


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[oem4me]

Cool. Since the truck rack is going to be much shorter than the burb rack, the same length load would have less support and create greater stress on the cross rails (in my mind, I picture a surfboard). I would beef up those rails a bit to be safe, and use some good strong wood like oak or ash. Have fun.

[DoubleL]

Can't wait to see the finished project.

[BR3W CITY]

cool idea. My 66 step had a roof/ladder rack on it at some point. I never saw it, but the holes in the bedside and dimples on the roof tell the story lol.

[MusicMan70]

Nice and Good score on the brackets too!

[66clow]

OK I'm stuck and not sure where to go. I have 1x3's going across which seems OK. Not sure for the top. The 1x 2's seem kinda wimpy showing on the Dr's side not sure if I should do the 1 x 3's showing on the passenger side. Thinking possibly 2 x 2's to give it some meat see picture of 2 1 x 's together. What you think?

/IMG]






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[66clow]

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[oem4me]

The 1x's front to back are fine. where you need girth is in the two cross rails that have the brackets attached. Those two pieces hold the whole load.

[aerotruk63]

It might make noise as the wind goes through and across the wood. Try to radius the face of the boards to break the wind noise. I like the way it looks. If you use hardwood you might be able to have a xylophone up there. Looks great.

[BR3W CITY]

I like the combo of wood and tube like on the old Westy' roof racks.

[66clow]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I like the combo of wood and tube like on the old Westy' roof racks.

That definitely be my choice if I could bend and weld tubing. I will incorporate some type of metal railing. Thanks
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[66clow]

Originally Posted by oem4me

The 1x's front to back are fine. where you need girth is in the two cross rails that have the brackets attached. Those two pieces hold the whole load.

I think what I will try is to put rails along the sides of the cross rails. Do you prefer the wider 1 x 3's or the skinner 1 x 2's? I don't plan to put much weight up there but I do see what you are talking about supporting anything.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by 66clow

I think what I will try is to put rails along the sides of the cross rails. Do you prefer the wider 1 x 3's or the skinner 1 x 2's? I don't plan to put much weight up there but I do see what you are talking about supporting anything.

1x2 rails alongside the 1x3 would really help the strength, hopefully without making it look too bulky. Perhaps even a single 1x2 glued and screwed underneath making a "T" in between brackets would do?
Play around a little to see what looks right.

BTW I really like your truck. The color, wheel and cap choice, stance, everything. Have fun.

[66clow]

Originally Posted by oem4me

1x2 rails alongside the 1x3 would really help the strength, hopefully without making it look too bulky. Perhaps even a single 1x2 glued and screwed underneath making a "T" in between brackets would do?
Play around a little to see what looks right.

BTW I really like your truck. The color, wheel and cap choice, stance, everything. Have fun.

Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate the feed back. I really like the metal tubing with the wood and may check to with some of my body shop connections to see about welding in some tubing. I like the T idea and will probably incorporate that and use oak wood in the end after the mock up. I will post an update as I go along. I also found this rack which is pretty sweet below.
I'll figure something out.

http://classicracks.com/racks.htm[IMG]

http://classicracks.com/racks.htm[/IMG]

[purzell]

Hey there...what is the brand of those rack towers? Thank you.

[DWC]

Awesome, looks like its coming along nicely. I think OEM's idea of making the cross beam a "T" section is a good one. That's the same issue I had with the cross car beam flexing and why I ended up with a U shaped support. Your slats will be shorter in length and will weigh less than mine did so a T should work fine. IMO.
I wanted one of those classic racks from your link but couldn't afford it, that's why I made my own. Can't wait to see it finished, Dave
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[ChiefRocka]

T is a great idea. Even a 1/2 or 3/4 stock under would be fine.

The trick is to glue/clamp/screw with a slight bow. Even like a 1/2" deflection.
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[66clow]

Originally Posted by DWC

Awesome, looks like its coming along nicely. I think OEM's idea of making the cross beam a "T" section is a good one. That's the same issue I had with the cross car beam flexing and why I ended up with a U shaped support. Your slats will be shorter in length and will weigh less than mine did so a T should work fine. IMO.
I wanted one of those classic racks from your link but couldn't afford it, that's why I made my own. Can't wait to see it finished, Dave
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I've been waiting on your expertise to thime in. Do you think I should use the 1 x 2's or 1 x3 's for the slats? I thought you had 1 x 2 's but once I bought them and I saw how many I used and realized you had the 1 x 3's. I thought this was easier than it looks. Still gotta figure out a spot for some type of railing to finish it off.

[DWC]

Yep, I used 1x3's for just that reason. I could use fewer of them and space them out a bit. You should have seen the looks as I laid it out on the Home Depot floor. If you run the slats out closer to the edge of the cross car beam you could attach the rail to the outermost slat. I had already notched my beam and assembled the slats or I might have added another slat and done this.
It's not easy but not so hard either, just take your time and mock up your idea you'll find something you like. In the end it is just wood, you can always change it. -Dave
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[DWC]

Sorry, I had total brainfart, I used 1x4's for my slats. Went out to the garage just to be sure.
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[66clow]

Update on DIY roof RACK. Worked on putting on the T for the cross supports. Much sturdier and looks better. There was too much space between the roof and the bars. Used glue and screws. Thinking of using copper piping for the side rails for something different, what you think? ????

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[ChevyFreak60]

The racks looking good bro!! I love the way that truck sits.

[66clow]

Originally Posted by purzell

Hey there...what is the brand of those rack towers? Thank you.

Brackets are called quick and easy. The say they are made in Monrovia CA.
Sorry just noticed your?
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[aerotruk63]

These them?

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1379

[66clow]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

These them?

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1379

Exactly and it's nice to know replacement parts are still available.