Rack build is on the way

Post by **JAS** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:57 pm

I have decided to try my hand at building a full replacement roof rack for the X. The reasons for this is that I often need to carry long loads (canoe, sheets of plywood, and general woodworking materials) and our cottage trips are requiring more and more capacity. I have bought the X after driving trucks and now I have to replace the carrying capacity of an F-150 (or come close with some compromises). I do have a Load Warrior - which will be listed for sale as soon as I am done - but it simply didn't carry enough and was too short for the longer stuff I carry to be safe. I like the look and functionality of the Gobi racks, but since I love the challenge of building stuff myself and learning new skills I tend to spend money on tools instead of products.

I am posting my pictures here if you want to follow the full build:

http://s822.photobucket.com/albums/zz14 ... k%20Build/

Update: March 4/10

Well I am done with everything except fitting the fairing. This is how she sits now...

and I am looking for opinions on finishing it.

What do you guys recommend? I don't want to bed line it and I have had a bad experience with powder-coating on my sliders as they are about two years old and showing rust spots already. Preferably I would want to go with something that I can do myself and am thinking POR15. Does anyone have any experience with that? When I called them and explained my situation they recommended that I leave the rack outside for two weeks so that it gets an even layer of rust and then I can use their 3 step process to finish it. It feels very counterintuitive to me. They claim that their stuff is the cat's a** and will outperform anything out there. I am kind of drinking their Kool-Aid but want to run it by you guys. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

Update: March 8/10

I am done with my part and now I have to hand it over to a finishing shop. The next time it goes on the roof it will be up there to stay!

Post by **lookzcustoms** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:58 pm

awsome work

Post by **HotWod** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:02 pm

Awesome job dude!

Post by **PiDGE** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:23 pm

good choice on doin it yourself, that looks awsome

Post by **steelcityslicker** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:23 pm

Very, very cool rack man!!!! I'd love to have one for my truck!!!!!

Post by **LGM** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:29 pm

That is a sweet looking rack

Post by **Pezzy** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:07 pm

Nice!

Post by **Jayman** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:11 pm

Blocked at work = FAIL (for me viewing your rack)...

Post by **rush356** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:36 pm

nice work, will you be making more for sale

Post by **nige** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:02 pm

nice fit! are you gonna put some feet and a wind fairing on the front?

Post by **petespath** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:06 pm

Great job.

Post by **JAS** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:27 pm

rush356 wrote:nice work, will you be making more for sale

No plans to produce them - I am way too slow as this is only a hobby and a learning experience. Once I am done I will make available to anyone the autocad drawing - I design everything in 3D Autocad - you can than take the drawing to a fab shop and get some pricing.

There is a set of brackets that will support the front, but they got finished after dark and I couldn't get pictures. The fairing will be the last thing to get fitted. I am working on the floor of the rack now.

Post by **Miner** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:48 pm

Well done

Post by **Nissanboy97** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 1:30 pm

Nice job, i like how you bent it to the contour of the roof, how much does it weigh, im lookin to make mine this summer but i wan to keep the weight down

Post by **JAS** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:22 pm

Nissanboy97 wrote:Nice job, i like how you bent it to the contour of the roof, how much does it weigh, im lookin to make mine this summer but i wan to keep the weight down

I don't have the weight at this point, but so far I have been able to put it on the roof by myself by laying 2x2's onto the roof. I tack welded the floor into the frame last night and I will no longer be able to get it up there on my own. I will get the weight for you this weekend.

Post by **HolidayNation** » Sat Feb 27, 2010 5:35 am

Nice, I am jealous

Post by **JAS** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:52 pm

Got it on the scale today: Mounting brackets - 33lbs, Rack complete with the floor but without the fairing - 83lbs

Post by **Nissanboy97** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:32 pm

thats not a bad weight, fairly light and its pretty long too, hmmm maybe ill have to get you to design one for me hahaha. NIce work!

Post by **JAS** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:06 am

I have updated the original post with progress and a question about finishing it. I am looking for opinions and recommendations as per the updated post.

Post by **nige** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:49 am

It looks great so far! I've heard good things about POR-15, but i still believe in laying down a good primer over some sandblasted metal. Bender can recommend the treatment options for you. I can't remember what the primer is called but i know it follows a good sandblasting to make sure you get to bare metal. We'll be doing this with my spare tire carrier, bumper and sliders once we are happy with the way everything , then it will get a couple coats of "Mennonite Black" lol

Canadian Nissan Truck Club

Rack build is on the way

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