Roof rack opinions???

[rascole]

Well, I have finally started my roof rack project for my H3. It is going to be 50" x 76" x 4". But before I have my friend actually start welding I would like some input on 2 different things.

1. Aluminum vs Steel?? My fab friend, fabricator not fabulous. Suggests aluminum over steel strictly for weight savings. 20 lbs is his estimate. Doesn't sound like a lot, but I think it may be worth the extra $100 in cost for me and my son to both lift into place.

2. Mesh vs Tube floor?? I have seen both the mesh and tube floor but don't really know the pros or cons of either. Weight will close to the same as will price.

 

[ReconH3]

The roof rails on the H3 aren't the strongest out there, so the Aluminum one should do the job since you can't really load it up too much.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[rascole]

Isn't the max load 250 lbs?

 

[ReconH3]

One of the Aussies on here had a rail failure and did a very good write up on what he had to do to reinforce it. If somebody has the link to his write up, please post it. TIA


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[Caraddict]

Why not get a Gobi?

 

[chad]

Must do a mesh floor. My friend has a garvin and just the regular floor on his jeep, and I put a mesh one on mine. It's way better for walking on or sliding boxes across. He is gonna add the mesh to his now that he used mine.

 

[Gunner_45]

One of the Aussies on here had a rail failure and did a very good write up on what he had to do to reinforce it. If somebody has the link to his write up, please post it. TIA


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Try this link:

http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/for...-s-H3-the-complete-story!&highlight=roof+rail

and go to post #33.

 

[chad]

he also rides the washboard rough roads of Australia too. im not as concerned about that in the states as much but he did a nice reinforcement to the roof to fix the problem. my rack is made of steel and isnt too heavy, its an easy two person install, i didnt spend nearly as much on my home made rack as the store bought ones, especially the gobi and i have a few more features i like that gobi didnt do.

 

[rascole]

Why not get a Gobi?

Nah, want to make my own custom. They make good stuff but I have a talented friend at G4 Products in Bellflower, shameless plug for his shop, that can build anything. I am leaning towards the aluminum side unless there is something else.

 

[rascole]

especially the gobi and i have a few more features i like that gobi didnt do.

What did you do different?

 

[chad]

I got a full mesh floor, which goes all the way to the front beside the sunroof, I added the ammo can holders, I got the ammo can mounts out of a crashed hmmwv. Added some anchor points and gonna add a highlift mount and shovel mount soon. There's only so much you can do since it's a roof rack but between gobi and knight metal works those guys cover it all for the most part. Just up to you on how to design it and where you want mounts to be. The ammo can idea is nice, good for storage for ratchet straps, ropes, and bungees. I'm just a big fan of building my own stuff when possible. Aluminum will be nice. My other rack was aluminum and I liked it a lot but I wanted a full length rack. I don't have the capability to weld aluminum so I used steel.

 

[rascole]

I need to give Knight Metal Works some credit. I want that rack but shipping is killer. I did buy his mounts with the H3 logo, I started to use them but I put them in the brake backwards and bent them the wrong way, they will be used for another project though. I will be adding all the extra mounts for lights, jack, shovel, & etc.

 

[chad]

How much where there mounts? I didn't even think about buying theirs, to me the hardest part was making a decent mount.

 

[rascole]

How much where there mounts? I didn't even think about buying theirs, to me the hardest part was making a decent mount.

Send them a PM. That's what I did.

 

[Fish]

you wont have to worry about rust with aluminum

 

[Scarsman]

I did buy his mounts with the H3 logo, I started to use them but I put them in the brake backwards and bent them the wrong way,

Now I've never done that! I don't have any backwards brackets sitting in my shop at all!!!


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[rascole]

You sent me the brackets flat with marks for bending them. I screwed the first one up and wasn't paying attention.

 

[Scarsman]

You sent me the brackets flat with marks for bending them. I screwed the first one up and wasn't paying attention.

I know too well how easy it is to do that!

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[rascole]

I plan on using them for spacers between the top and bottom rails.

 

[Portager]

I would definately go with Aluminum over steel. Weight above the CG is a bad thing and you can't get any higher above the CG than a roof rack. Also the lighter weight rack leaves more of the weight allowance for cargo.

 

[rascole]

Yeah, that's the road I'm taking.