Homemade rockrails

JMLoughrey · **Posted:** Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:10 pm

Ok, so i've been tinkering with a couple ideas while at work as of late.

I've wanted rock rails for a while, nothing super serious as the off-roading i do isnt too crazy, no huge boulders or anything like that.

Looking at the mock up somebody did using wood, i would give or take do that with steel tubing.

Using steel tubing, bolts and a couple L brackets i think it could come out quite nicely, it would also give me the option to change the bar itself if it ever gets extremly dinged up.

Given i use the right materials, do you think it would be structurally sound enough to take a few scapes and scratchs here or there?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:51 pm

I think its a great idea. I just had a friend of mine weld some up for me and they should work great. Ive not seen them yet but the guy had a libby to get all of his measurements from so I hope everything fits good. If not, he shouldnt care to tweek them some.. :wink:

Why buy some when you can make you own for half the price? :roll:

moose · **Posted:** Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:24 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Why buy some when you can make you own for half the price? :roll:

We'll see at the next run if yours are as nice as my RL skinks

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:43 pm

moose wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Why buy some when you can make you own for half the price? :roll:

We'll see at the next run if you're are as nice as my RL skinks

Haha, will do.. :wink:

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:23 am

Someone before made some from heavy walled natural gas pipe I believe. Don't see why they wouldn't work well.

FastTRX · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:37 pm

Find some good square tubing and a good welder...get them PC'd black when you're all said and done...dont also see why they cant work just as good as the $300 alternative?!

moose · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:45 pm

FastTRX wrote:

Find some good square tubing and a good welder...get them PC'd black when you're all said and done...dont also see why they cant work just as good as the $300 alternative?!

Just that by the time you find someone who is a "good" welder, and design it out, and go through all that work, I'd just as soon drop the $300 at RL's... just me though.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:49 pm

moose wrote:

FastTRX wrote:

Find some good square tubing and a good welder...get them PC'd black when you're all said and done...dont also see why they cant work just as good as the $300 alternative?!

Just that by the time you find someone who is a "good" welder, and design it out, and go through all that work, I'd just as soon drop the $300 at RL's... just me though.

That is true. If you do not know someone that is already a good welder and can fab stuff up just by pics and measurements.. It may be to much trouble..

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:50 pm

You would definantly have to be the designer, fabricator/ welder to get it done much cheaper than you can buy them. Might even have to shop at the scrap yard to save money in materials too. (you wouldnt believe what get sent to the scrap yard) I say if you like to take pride in your own work, and can do all or nearly all of it yourself then go for it. It definantly feels good when someone askes "where did you get that" or who did that", and you can say " I made did it myself"

FastTRX · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:51 pm

moose wrote:

FastTRX wrote:

Find some good square tubing and a good welder...get them PC'd black when you're all said and done...dont also see why they cant work just as good as the $300 alternative?!

Just that by the time you find someone who is a "good" welder, and design it out, and go through all that work, I'd just as soon drop the $300 at RL's... just me though.

I understand where you're coming from...sometimes I just want the part in my hands immeadiately. Just need a set of tires...so I'd have to save that $300 for future purchases. My dad happens to ba a really good welder and had shown interest in building a set. I still may attempt to make some.

JMLoughrey · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:53 pm

Its not the fabrication i'm worried about, i've built more out of less to work with. I took 3 years of computer drafting and CAD classes so ill be ok.

I can weld, thats not a problem, i just dont have access to one and my friend that welds...well sucks. I was looking to use bolts to make them easily replacable.

I dont have $300 to spend on some tubing so buying isnt an option, not to mention i've got too much time on my hands come 10PM. Theres nothing like working in the garage at 1am with a coffee making a lot of noise.

moose · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:57 pm

FastTRX wrote:

moose wrote:

FastTRX wrote:

Find some good square tubing and a good welder...get them PC'd black when you're all said and done...dont also see why they cant work just as good as the $300 alternative?!

Just that by the time you find someone who is a "good" welder, and design it out, and go through all that work, I'd just as soon drop the $300 at RL's... just me though.

I understand where you're coming from...sometimes I just want the part in my hands immeadiately. Just need a set of tires...so I'd have to save that $300 for future purchases. My dad happens to ba a really good welder and had shown interest in building a set. I still may attempt to make some.

About all I can do with the welder is cut and some basic welds that I would only trust for a bbq smoker :wink:

, not holding my 4000# Libby aloft

FastTRX · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:02 pm

moose wrote:

FastTRX wrote:

moose wrote:

FastTRX wrote:

Find some good square tubing and a good welder...get them PC'd black when you're all said and done...dont also see why they cant work just as good as the $300 alternative?!

Just that by the time you find someone who is a "good" welder, and design it out, and go through all that work, I'd just as soon drop the $300 at RL's... just me though.

I understand where you're coming from...sometimes I just want the part in my hands immeadiately. Just need a set of tires...so I'd have to save that $300 for future purchases. My dad happens to ba a really good welder and had shown interest in building a set. I still may attempt to make some.

About all I can do with the welder is cut and some basic welds that I would only trust for a bbq smoker :wink:

, not holding my 4000# Libby aloft

Thats a good excuse...maybe you can look at it as a $300 investment to keep the the $20,000 investment in working condition!

My dad went to welding school for 5 years...I would think that he's qualified enough to make the proper/strongest welds. It's finding the perfect material that can be tricky. I don't want 400lbs. boat anchors on the sides of my liberty.

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:14 pm

JMLoughrey wrote:

Ok, so i've been tinkering with a couple ideas while at work as of late.

I've wanted rock rails for a while, nothing super serious as the off-roading i do isnt too crazy, no huge boulders or anything like that.

Looking at the mock up somebody did using wood, i would give or take do that with steel tubing.

Using steel tubing, bolts and a couple L brackets i think it could come out quite nicely, it would also give me the option to change the bar itself if it ever gets extremly dinged up.

Given i use the right materials, do you think it would be structurally sound enough to take a few scapes and scratchs here or there?

Well, since you seem to still want to do it yourself, which I think is great. I dont see why a bolt together rail wouldnt work for some light to medium duty protection. I would make sure all your joints are tight fitting, maybe even locate them with dowel pins or a keyway. If things start to shift around your joints will fall apart in no time. I would like to see what you come up with, could be an interesting project.

JMLoughrey · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:32 pm

The offroading i do isnt too strenuous by any means, the largests rocks i really see arent too much bigger then a soccerball or something like that. I'm more looking for some protection against hidden stumps, downed trees and such.

I know we've all been out wheel'n and hit a hidden stump, stick, rock and gone "well, darn" and hoped there was no damage.

Personally, i'd rather try and fail then never try and not know what i'm capable of actually doing. Never know, i may be onto something?

DIY for the win!

Homemade rockrails

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