DIY rock rail build

candpliberty · **Posted:** Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:02 pm

I've been buying steel and hardware for some homemade rock rails. ( I bought $140 worth but I figured I'm using about $90 worth, 28 bucks for hardware) Stealing ideas from Rock Lizard and MtnLuvr. I'm trying to be original but these designs seem to be as far as one can go with simplicity, light weight and strength in mind. I thought I'd make a post and see if any of you could chime in and throw out some ideas.
Is there a reason that the support legs always has one perpendicular and another at about a 45 degree angle? Could all of the legs be at a angle?

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

It's for strength.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 3:04 am

What about all the legs going off at an angle?

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

You'd lose your multi directional strength.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:50 am

You need both like Buggin stated
the ones straight in are for a side hit say, the ones that angle are for say hitting a rock/tree when moving forward

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:05 pm

I think that makes sense. I'm just trying to come up with something different and better.

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

candpliberty wrote:

I think that makes sense. I'm just trying to come up with something different and better.

RL's and JCR's are about the best designs out there if your looking to borrow from one. RL's are more heavy duty fyi.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:10 pm

how about this.

cgass · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:15 pm

That looks like it would be pretty study. Maybe having the support beams meet in the middle? I think would add some lateral stability

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:18 pm

Quote:

RL's and JCR's are about the best designs out there if your looking to borrow from one. RL's are more heavy duty fyi.

JCR?

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:47 pm

Quote:

Maybe having the support beams meet in the middle?

Reverse (flop) the added "V" that's in the middle?

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:11 pm

candpliberty wrote:

Quote:

RL's and JCR's are about the best designs out there if your looking to borrow from one. RL's are more heavy duty fyi.

JCR?

Found JCR. I agree the RL's are much sturdier but the JCR has the 2x3 sliders.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:21 pm

cgass wrote:

That looks like it would be pretty study. Maybe having the support beams meet in the middle? I think would add some lateral stability

like this?

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

candpliberty wrote:

Quote:

RL's and JCR's are about the best designs out there if your looking to borrow from one. RL's are more heavy duty fyi.

JCR?

Found JCR. I agree the RL's are much sturdier but the JCR has the 2x3 sliders.

Which is what I am running. They are very strong and well built, just a issue with the front mounting plate and 1 hole lining up with a subframe hole. See other discussions about the very subject. Easy fix however. I do plan on fabbing and welding on a new front mounting plate that will be longer so it misses that subframe hole and add a gusset. They will at that point be overkill. The design you have there is also overkill which is good but what ya have there is a bit too much and not needed. Plus ya also have to remember the more more ya weld on a tube the more ya weaken it, also don't weld all the way across the tube or you will create a severe weak spot.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:40 pm

[/quote]
Plus ya also have to remember the more more ya weld on a tube the more ya weaken it, also don't weld all the way across the tube or you will create a severe weak spot.[/quote]

So you stitch all the welds? like 50% of the joint? What about water/ moisture getting in?

cgass · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:43 pm

candpliberty wrote:

cgass wrote:

That looks like it would be pretty study. Maybe having the support beams meet in the middle? I think would add some lateral stability

like this?

No, like the original design. Just have all the support beams meet. I didn't explain that well

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 3:00 pm

cgass wrote:

No, like the original design. Just have all the support beams meet. I didn't explain that well

like this:

cgass · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 3:11 pm

Yep, like that

Pippobug · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 5:23 pm

Hi,
any chance once you have finalised the designs you could actually also add the correct mesurement you need to construct them? I am asking as I would like to see if I can get then built over here in the United Kingdom as to have them shipped over from the US it's like doubling the price of them if i bought them ex RL or JCS due to the weight of the item.
Tks,
Fil

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:25 pm

Pippobug wrote:

Hi,
any chance once you have finalised the designs you could actually also add the correct mesurement you need to construct them? I am asking as I would like to see if I can get then built over here in the United Kingdom as to have them shipped over from the US it's like doubling the price of them if i bought them ex RL or JCS due to the weight of the item.
Tks,
Fil

yup,no problem. I plan to post the build right here after finalizing the design.

DIY rock rail build

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