TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Nov 10, 2021 8:23 am

Hi y'all;

My build is progressing nicely.. stuck waiting on parts, so I'm scheming about other things.

I've seen lots of roof rack ideas and some are just silly with the price... I mean.. $1000??? Um.. No. I'm a DIY guy. But.... I like some of the Thule racks, and others, but the clamps won't reach very likely since the roof is so round.

Are there generic clamps that could be added to the car and be welded to a roof rack? I've been looking on amazon and I think I'm close, likely modify something. Still looking for ideas, I still have time, etc. I might settle for the light bar up front creat something later... IDK...

Any ideas are appreciated.

Wed Nov 10, 2021 8:27 am

Try "Visual" search starting here...

https://www.google.com/search?q=roof+rack+gitter+c...amp;uact=5

Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:32 am

What type of rack you making?

Thule 387 High will clear load bars on a bug. They make a super high one which are pretty nice.

The usual picture that gets circulated.

In my application the rear towers are angled a little as it curves with the body.

Wed Nov 10, 2021 4:33 pm

https://shop.kaddieshack.com/Exterior-Parts-and-Accessories_c68.htm

Wed Nov 10, 2021 5:19 pm

Some PO in their infinite wisdom, shaved the rain gutters on the Bwajaja. Plan, at some point to do a direct mount to the roof, and tie it into the roll cage for added stability. I’m sure there’s a downside of doing this.
Anyway. Like seeing others plans, hopes, etc. good luck.

Thu Nov 11, 2021 12:55 am

Here's a pic from the gallery of "mr bill" ...

Mon Nov 22, 2021 6:56 pm

Brian wrote: What type of rack you making?

Thule 387 High will clear load bars on a bug. They make a super high one which are pretty nice.

The usual picture that gets circulated.

In my application the rear towers are angled a little as it curves with the body.

those Thule racks are PRICEY!! I've seen some other stuff around. I have a parts guy that has one of those racks with wooden slats, just laying around, primer color... not sure how that will "look" on my mud-tire clad '74....

I thought about getting a couple of the Light bars, one in front, the other backwards for.... backup lights.. .yeah... and maybe a brake light... sure... Then weld some bars between and make sump'n up.. Just brain storming...

Sat Jan 15, 2022 6:34 am

I bought a roof rack that was designed for a gutter mount. I knew it would not hold up for off road. As I was working on my build and the cage, I modified it to mount directly to the cage with flanges, sandwiching the roof in between. I made rubber gaskets and sealed it all with silicone. It turned out pretty good.
Not sure how to get it from the gallery but if you search for roof rack under Mysteryman they come up.

Sat Jan 22, 2022 4:08 pm

Here is the roof rack guy on FB bajacommando roof racks

Nice racks, great price, great guy. It uses nutserts (riveted) into the roof that the support legs bolt into. . The pads rest on the rain gutter so the gutter takes the weight.....crash proven!! Check out his pics.

Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:22 am

[quote="Dark Earth[/quote]

I made racks just like this. It's super easy. All you need is 1/2" or 3/4" EMT conduit, a bender, a MIG, some 1/4" to 3/8" round stock and rubber fuel line. The clamp is just made up of a long bolt and nuts along with a contoured metal bracket you can make.

Until recently, I had a chopped off roof from a bug that I saved to use as a base to build racks off of. My life changed and I no longer had time for that so I got rid of it. I have one on my baja that has carried many things including two 10ft kayaks.

Even though you'd think it was too light weight, when you make something compact like this out of EMT it is amazingly tough. Within reason. The only drawback is welding the galvanized steel can be tricky if your not prepared for that.

Tue Feb 01, 2022 5:41 pm

Dark Earth wrote: Here's a pic from the gallery of "mr bill" ...

This rack is NOW FOR SALE $250 & now has aluminum floor. PICK- UP in Orange, CA.