I may need some extra cargo room when I move my daughter next weekend, so I
bought one of those soft car top bags just in case. It requires cross bars for
the roof rack. I didn't want to spend ~$90 on aftermarket cross bars or (worse
yet) ~$160 for OEM, so I made my own for under $10.
http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq121/DerbyDad03/20150802_131120_zpsijfqno2v.jpeg
I flattened the ends 3/4" EMT conduit to fit snugly into the track and then used
a nut and bolt fore and aft to prevent them from moving frontwards or backwards.
http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq121/DerbyDad03/20150802_134558_zpsgwksegiw.jpeg
I had the nuts and bolts, so all I needed was the conduit ($3.50) and the
PlastiDip spray. ($6.00)
Requisite woodworking relate:
I flattened one end of the conduit in a vise and then made a jig to hold the
flattened end vertical so that the other end would be perfectly parallel when
I put it in the vise.
Yes, I know the front bar is pretty close to the roof, but the cargo bag straps
will be pulling up on it, so it won't be a problem. I'll have a moving pad under
everything, including the bars, anyway.
On 8/6/2015 10:29 AM, -MIKE- wrote:
> On 8/5/15 9:57 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
>> I may need some extra cargo room when I move my daughter next weekend,
>> so I
>> bought one of those soft car top bags just in case. It requires cross
>> bars for
>> the roof rack. I didn't want to spend ~$90 on aftermarket cross bars
>> or (worse
>> yet) ~$160 for OEM, so I made my own for under $10.
>>
>> http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq121/DerbyDad03/20150802_131120_zpsijfqno2v.jpeg
>>
>>
>> I flattened the ends 3/4" EMT conduit to fit snugly into the track and
>> then used
>> a nut and bolt fore and aft to prevent them from moving frontwards or
>> backwards.
>>
>> http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq121/DerbyDad03/20150802_134558_zpsgwksegiw.jpeg
>>
>>
>> I had the nuts and bolts, so all I needed was the conduit ($3.50) and the
>> PlastiDip spray. ($6.00)
>>
>> Requisite woodworking relate:
>>
>> I flattened one end of the conduit in a vise and then made a jig to
>> hold the
>> flattened end vertical so that the other end would be perfectly
>> parallel when
>> I put it in the vise.
>>
>> Yes, I know the front bar is pretty close to the roof, but the cargo
>> bag straps
>> will be pulling up on it, so it won't be a problem. I'll have a moving
>> pad under
>> everything, including the bars, anyway.
>>
>
> Probably stronger than any of the aftermarket racks. Nice work.
With out a doubt better.
And I thought that current modern roof top racks, like current spoilers,
were added to enhance the visual beauty of the vehicle, not add
function. ;~)
DerbyDad03 wrote:
> I may need some extra cargo room when I move my daughter next
> weekend, so I bought one of those soft car top bags just in case. It
> requires cross bars for the roof rack. I didn't want to spend ~$90 on
> aftermarket cross bars or (worse yet) ~$160 for OEM, so I made my own
> for under $10.
>
> http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq121/DerbyDad03/20150802_131120_zpsijfqno2v.jpeg
>
> I flattened the ends 3/4" EMT conduit to fit snugly into the track
> and then used a nut and bolt fore and aft to prevent them from moving
> frontwards or backwards.
>
> http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq121/DerbyDad03/20150802_134558_zpsgwksegiw.jpeg
>
> I had the nuts and bolts, so all I needed was the conduit ($3.50) and
> the PlastiDip spray. ($6.00)
>
> Requisite woodworking relate:
>
> I flattened one end of the conduit in a vise and then made a jig to
> hold the flattened end vertical so that the other end would be
> perfectly parallel when
> I put it in the vise.
>
> Yes, I know the front bar is pretty close to the roof, but the cargo
> bag straps will be pulling up on it, so it won't be a problem. I'll
> have a moving pad under everything, including the bars, anyway.
They came out good Dave. Nice job.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On 8/5/15 9:57 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
> I may need some extra cargo room when I move my daughter next weekend, so I
> bought one of those soft car top bags just in case. It requires cross bars for
> the roof rack. I didn't want to spend ~$90 on aftermarket cross bars or (worse
> yet) ~$160 for OEM, so I made my own for under $10.
>
> http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq121/DerbyDad03/20150802_131120_zpsijfqno2v.jpeg
>
> I flattened the ends 3/4" EMT conduit to fit snugly into the track and then used
> a nut and bolt fore and aft to prevent them from moving frontwards or backwards.
>
> http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq121/DerbyDad03/20150802_134558_zpsgwksegiw.jpeg
>
> I had the nuts and bolts, so all I needed was the conduit ($3.50) and the
> PlastiDip spray. ($6.00)
>
> Requisite woodworking relate:
>
> I flattened one end of the conduit in a vise and then made a jig to hold the
> flattened end vertical so that the other end would be perfectly parallel when
> I put it in the vise.
>
> Yes, I know the front bar is pretty close to the roof, but the cargo bag straps
> will be pulling up on it, so it won't be a problem. I'll have a moving pad under
> everything, including the bars, anyway.
>
Probably stronger than any of the aftermarket racks. Nice work.
--
-MIKE-
"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
[email protected]
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply