Not sure if this is the right place to post this.
I would like to build a cross bar/rack for the bed of my Frontier. I have ideas and can buy the metal, but I need help with bending and such. Looking for three tube style cross bars to sit about 4-6" above the bed rails using angle metal to mount it to the rails, and with tabs welded on for adding a removable platform for stuff like a roof top style tent, or a cargo basket. The idea is to have everything interchangeable depending on the adventure. My bed is just 58.6" long and 58.69" inside the rail from side to side.
I can weld (sort of), it's the measuring and bending to make it fit right that I'm clueless (and tool-less) about. I'd be happy to exchange some wrench time or other assistance. Need any non-automotive locksmith work? I'm certified, and have 18 years experience.
Anyone wanna help build a set of sliders too?
Hi Keman, where are you located? Maybe you can post up some concept pictures or drawings you are after? We have a lot of talent here on the forums. You can email me with details.
Dan
Not much of an artist. so drawings might not work. I can describe what I need. I'm in Kent, Wa.
So the basic idea...
90* angle steel on the bed rail top with the angle down to bolt into the inside of the rail. For each cross bar I am thinking about six inches of the angle steel (as a foot/mount) at each end of the cross bar. For the bar it's self, 2" round stock with a thick enough wall to handle a couple hundred pounds per bar. The bar would have a curved bend at each end to come up about 4-6" above the bed rail tops and be welded to the angle at each side to bolt it in place.
Similar
to this image, but a little lower profile.
Can you get the tubing bent at a shop then we can make the rest of it happen! I just retired as a machinest/ fabricator of 45 or more years. LOL Bad thing,,,,, I dont have a tube bender. An exhaust shop can bend tube if its not too much thicker than exhaust tube. Most of the comercially built aftermarket accessories are not a whole lot heavier than good quality exhaust tubing. Just an idea. I have a welder etc and the skills, just no bender. I'm east of Ellensburg.
The bending is what has me stuck, I guess. Not sure how to measure the angles and such. I suppose I could make a template of pvc tubing to get the angles and bends right. Then take that to a shop to have it done in metal. PVC is easy and cheap, and it bends with a little heat. Perhaps if I do that, I can plan a day trip over the hills for help with the fit and welding. I'm pretty handy with fabrication stuff. Just clueless with the whole bending and fitting on metal tube.
I bent up some PVC a few years ago for an art project with my son for a school thing. Fill it with wet sand, heat over a roaster flame and bend however you like by hand.. Works pretty slick.
The PVC deal is a good idea. Try using PVC conduit, as it comes in a couple different radius bends. When you get the bends you want cut and fit, you can cut the straight pieces to fit. A good exhaust shop can do the bends fast and rather inexpensive for you once you have a good template to work off. Im not going to be able to do much till after the rally, but after that I should be able to help out. I need to get a few things done on my XJ and on the new house , then be able to do a little fun stuff. See yalls at the rally!
I have to skip the rally this year due to budget issues. As for your XJ, I have owned three, plus a TJ, CJ8, a ZJ, and two MJs. One of the MJs is in the garage waiting to fire back up after a full engine swap/rebuild. That one now belongs to my son, yet it's still in my garage... We have a wire bug not letting it get spark.
Kewl! Keep in touch and when the time comes, we can make it happen.
Hey Keman, Hows the rack project going? Any luck getting the bends done? I have my shop all setup now. If you get to the welding, fitting stage, give me a holler and we can make it happen.
Kinda on hold for any projects right now. No budget. I'll be working on it sometime this winter.
I appreciate the offer still being there. Thank you.
Hey, this is way off subject, BUT, how big is your new off road trailer? Width and length of bed space? I havea small utility trailer that I'm going to do many mods to make it way more versatile, general utility, camping, off road, trailering our white water cateraft, hauling the quad etc etc. Putting stake pockets on it and lowering sides down to 8 inches or so. All accessory stuff will mount to stake pockets. My trailer bed is four ft wide and six ft long. Going to add same size tires as my jeep.
The box on my trailer is 4' x 6', With the tent open, the tent floor is 56" x 96". Height to top of trailer box is just about 4" to the ground, with 16" of ground clearance on 31" MTs.
Kewl. I am leaning more to a DIY RTT for our trailer that will be just bigger than a queen mattress. It should look more or less like the old Conestoga covered wagons when it is set up. We both want room to sit up so we don't have to get dressed laying down.
I can sit up inside mine to change and such. It would be a bit close for two people to do so. I love my little trailer. It's been out for adventure four times now and been very easy to get set up and packed away. The box has enough room for all my gear and still has space left for me to pack a tent and gear for anyone else who tags along. Since I tend to camp alone, It's perfect for just me with more than enough room for my massive bundle of bedding and memory foam mattress. (I sleep bundled in pillows and blankets.)
Back on the fab skills track, I have ordered some rail uprights to go with a square tube cross rail style rack. I'll add a basket and accessories as time and budget allow...
Found these guys online, they have a lot of products for trailers and RTT gear. This is where I ordered my rail mounts. Compact Camping Concepts... https://compact-camping-concepts-2.myshopify.com/collections/all