Custom Roof rack/basket

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:38 am

I got bored and finally had a slow work week this week (only 32hrs this week, had a 72hr week last week). I came in here just planning on browsing, until I saw KJWildman's basket he made. I suppose I need to ask him if I owe him royalties or something now because with a couple minor exceptions, I kinda copied his design lol. :lol:

So far I only have the base rack made. It seemed like the most timely part was to chamfer all those ends, and I still have to do more when I add the vertical posts for the top part to sit on lol. Anyways, here's what I have so far.

I'll probably add a lot of light tabs, but will most likely not add a ton of lights just due to the draw on the alternator. I'll put 4 tabs up front, 1 on each side, and 2 in the rear, but will mostly likely only put lights on the four in the front.

John3:17 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:52 am

What pipe is that, electical conduit?

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:05 pm

Yeah. It's 1" EMT. Beware, the bender for that piping cost me more than the piping itself lol. The bender was $80 at Home Depot. :shock:

infernicus · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:30 pm

I really like this.
I have a couple ideas similar to this that I would love make a reality, but never will.

How do you plan on mounting it?
Keep going and take lots of pics.

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:36 pm

For now (unless I decide on something different) mounting will be a 1/4" base plate screwed into the rail, then the same tubing mounted flat to the 1/4" baseplate, then chamfered and welded to the base of the basket (the outside loop). I *may* add an extra brace or two at an angle onto that, but we'll see.

Also, I haven't decided yet, after I get it all done and welded up I'll figure it out, but I may add some braces in between those cross bars. Main reason is for strength when ratcheting stuff down to the rack, so it doesn't bend the cross bars. I'll see if it even needs that though after it's all fully welded up.

John3:17 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:35 pm

TurboGoKart wrote:

Yeah. It's 1" EMT. Beware, the bender for that piping cost me more than the piping itself lol. The bender was $80 at Home Depot. :shock:

Hmmm I have a 3/4 bender

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:09 pm

You can try that, but my guess is it will crease the poo out of that if you try it with 1" piping.

woodtick · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 9:30 pm

Been waiting to build a rack too. I like how you chamfered your pieces. Looks like you used a grinder for that. I've given thought on how I wanted to accomplish the same, I came up with using a fixture on my drill press and a hole saw.

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:06 pm

woodtick wrote:

Been waiting to build a rack too. I like how you chamfered your pieces. Looks like you used a grinder for that. I've given thought on how I wanted to accomplish the same, I came up with using a fixture on my drill press and a hole saw.

That's a great idea. If I had a drill press I probably would have done that too lol. Although I'd be curious as to how long a bit would last. I did use a grinder. Did them all like a champ too, however, the drill press idea would allow you to be a bit more precise on the overall length of the piece on the first try. Provided you measure right haha. :lol:

MoD · **Joined:** Sat Mar 17, 2012 12:53 am **Posts:** 1343

so provided you turn this into a basket and not just a rack, how much would you charge for one? I am interested in wildman's design that doesn't interfiere with the sun roof though

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:16 am

It's definitely going to be a basket. No doubts. I'll have to take some measurements of my buddies KJ to see how different the bends and such would be. This one is going on my KK.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jan 31, 2013 9:37 am

Just be very careful if you are thinking of doing this and welding one up yourself. The fumes that come off of it while welding are toxic

TurboGoKart · **Posted:** Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:02 pm

Yeah I figured that out after the first tack weld. :oops:

Set up a strong fan right in front of me with the garage open after that! :lol:

Custom Roof rack/basket

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