roof rack

[woodchk502]

anyone ever seen or built a roof rack for 1st gens. Or I guess will the top even support such a thing.

Just thinking how nice it would be to have one on top that came off when running topless.

I guess next thing would be if its a single or dbl wall top. single would lack strength and the dbl might cause issues bolting through (thinking about crushing the top).

So whaddaya got or what have ya seen

jim

[truckster]

Mine (72 with a single-wall top) apparently had one at some time in the past, because it had holes drilled through the top when I bought it. I have no idea what it looked like or how it was built, except that it seems like it was pretty much the length and width of the top.

[woodchk502]

Was thinking if I had to build my own there would be no limit to the size of the feet nor the placement (think very near the vertical portion for strength)
Posted via Mobile Device

[drunkbus]

Here's mine with a Hickey roof rack. They don't make them anymore but gives you an idea. This is on a single wall top.

[woodchk502]

Nice ride drunkbus.

I dig the rack too.
does it just bolt through the top?
what type of seal does it use?

again Real Nice Ride.
jim

[vtblazer]

Aftermarket rack:





Here on the board in the classifieds if you want to see more.

[drunkbus]

Originally Posted by woodchk502

Nice ride drunkbus.

I dig the rack too.
does it just bolt through the top?
what type of seal does it use?

again Real Nice Ride.
jim

It's held on by small screws with nuts on the inside. There are aluminum strips on the inside roof that the screws go through to disperse the load. I'm not sure how it's sealed but it doesn't leak. Maybe silicon or something similar? I'll see if I can find pics of how it's mounted from the inside.

[Blazer Dude]

I have a stock one on my 70. It looks alot like the one that they put on the sub. I would take a pic of it but I took it off. if you look at some pics ive posted of my truck you can see what it looks like.

[BigRed Beast]

VTblazer...how did you attach the aftermarket and keep the roof from collapsing? Interior bracing? I was interested in installing one of the Yakima or Thule road warrior baskets on a double wall top, very similar to your set up...

[Monte Carlo Man]

The '71 Blazer that my dad had, had a double wall top.
It did not have a roof rack, but I can remember times where I was up on the dimpled roof - trying to wash and clean it - and it supported my weight - about 200 lbs - back then.

There was a company back then that made a chrome roof rack that also had a rear window deflector that pulled air off the roof and down over the back window - that they claimed help to keep the back window cleaner..

I haven't seen one in a long time.

Living in the rust belt - I only see maybe one or two K/5 Blazers per a year anymore.

[AlaskaMatt]

Drunkbus- I would love to know the paint code for your blazer.

On topic. I have been thinking about building one that was supported on the bed rails. Basically using some flat stock bolted down with flanges that stuck out in four spots where I then ran tubing up the side to support the rack. Basically eliminating the issue of top strength entirely.

Might look a little funky, but I would only throw it on when i intended to use it.

[Bill72]

Originally Posted by BigRed Beast

VTblazer...how did you attach the aftermarket and keep the roof from collapsing? Interior bracing? I was interested in installing one of the Yakima or Thule road warrior baskets on a double wall top, very similar to your set up...

That is a single wall top with the rack just bolted through. No problems at all, no leaking , no sag.

My other Blazer with a double wall top and no rack sags a little in the middle. I would be afraid to mount one on a double wall. I believe the single wall is more rigid/stronger even though it is lighter. I would love to find a single wall and get rid of my double wall.