Cheap homemade crossbars

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:15 pm

Hey guys I just got my BVG rack from Overstock.com and was thinking of a way to mount it that was pretty inexpensive and pretty easy to come up with. I went to lowes and bought some stuff from the chain link fencing section. I bought

1) top rail, (4)2 3/8" post bands, (4) rail connectors?(I really dont remember what they were called), and a rubber pipe sleeve.

These are some pics of what I was able to fab up with the above supplies. It only cost me about $21.

WITH RACK MOUNTED

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:24 pm

I would drill thru the cap that attaches to the bar and put a screw, lock-washer, and nut to insure it would stay all attached.

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:28 pm

Had n't thought of that, but I don't think its going anywhere the end of the pipe touches the end of the cap. We'll see how it holds up.

brpn#1 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:58 pm

looks cool.. cheap.. something different and if it works.. thats all that matters.. one thing though.. i dunno if i would drill thru those rail ends or tighten them TOO tight... they are usually die-cast and they crack REAL easy.. i know i have replaced them a few times after ice storms damaged the dog kennels we used to have.. we used to raise siberian huskies..

PS. should put a link in the thread you posted in general.. so easy click to see

hey.. some of us are click lazy..

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:02 pm

*click print*

Awesome! I was going through the other day looking for stuff to do the same! Looks like I'll add this to my list o'stuff for the Home Depot this weekend!

BCool · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:19 pm

how much weight would you put up on that?

losttourist · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:14 pm

Nicely done, thanks for the idea!

liberty 4 all · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:42 pm

Great Job!!!! just what I needed....thanks

fish eye · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:31 pm

BCool wrote:

how much weight would you put up on that?

X2, I was wondering same thing. Also, how tight are those strappings around the stock roof rack? I would think with them being really tight, and with the rubber to add friction, they should be pretty stable...

Inquiring minds want to know!!

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:04 pm

I still haven't tested out how much weight it can hold yet. The back end of the rack is sitting on the roof side rails so I think it will be ok. The basket manufacturer stated that the basket could hold 200 lbs, but I dont think I'll ever need to put that much stuff up there. I'll might have to take that last statement back one day. I'm still gonna work on a diff way of mounting this basket.

BCool · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:12 pm

Different way? Sounds like this one might need some improvement then.

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:17 pm

BCool wrote:

Different way? Sounds like this one might need some improvement then.

No, I just like coming up with different ways to do things. I came up with something I want to try to see which I like more.

x3rdxStrikex · **Posted:** Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:47 pm

Wow........I am verrry impressed! I've been looking for a way to get cheap crossbars for my rack since I took my tupperware off.......KUDOS and thanks for sharing!

dustydog · **Joined:** Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:49 pm **Posts:** 1

I understand that the roof rack on the Renegade is only rated at 65 lbs where the other Liberty racks are rated at 150. Not that I really want to put 150 lbs up there but I would like to be able to put more than 65. Do you know why it is weaker? Is it the tubes? Can they be beefed up? Or is it the mounting brackets on the ends?

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 29, 2006 1:23 am

Just curious how well those cross rails are holding up now for ya? What's the max weight you've had on there so far?

Stuhlie · **Posted:** Wed May 24, 2006 1:46 am

How are those cross bars holding up ! I'm thinking of this for hauling my canoe up there !! Very Nice Idea though

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Wed May 24, 2006 10:45 am

Still up there, but havn't put anything upthere that weighs anything.

tskalil · **Posted:** Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:21 pm

That's a great idea for crossbars. I was wondering if you get any noticeable wind noise; so many of them are quite loud - whistling, groaning, etc.

Gringo Loco · **Posted:** Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:24 pm

I really haven't noticed any, but I haven't gone out on the highway yet. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Big D · **Joined:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:08 pm **Posts:** 349

Roof racks on most cars are designed for active loads; meaning when the vehicule is moving (the forces are much greater). Most are rated for 150 lbs or less unless you have a Hummer or a rain gutter rack. When stationary, the roof rack will take a huge load (static load) many times more the actual rated specs (eg. Roof top tent campers like Magnolia). I was also disappointed when I saw the roof load on a Renegade at 65lbs. Then I realized that Jeep envisioned the Renegade as the adventure go-oer. Knowing or hoping that most off road owners will pick Renegades as the model for off-road, they had to take into account the loads generated when 4 wheeling. Thus, unless you're going extreme rock crawling with 200 lbs +, I would not worry about going to the 150 lb limit of the other models. When you look at the 2 models, the mounts are in identical places, so it should be no problem. I believe the bars are only thicker.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth.

Cheap homemade crossbars

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