Jeep rack

[Griff93]

We made this flip up luggage rack for our CJ to hold our cooler and grill when we go camping. This lets us put all our other camping gear down below it so we don't have to pull everything off the cooler just to get into it. I used these cool aircraft pins for the latches. I should have taken some pictures of the hinges. I made them using some 3/4 .120 dom, 3/8 shoulder bolts, and flanged bushings.

 

[LEVE]

That's neat fabrication. It actually strengthens the roll bar. I would suggest one thing.. and that's a "headache" screen between the shelf and the back seats. In an accident you don't want something coming forward.

 

[akjason]

Looks good Hey LEVE, being a jeeper myself, I'm sure anything that is put on that rack gets strapped down. It's not like it would stay put during a turn anyway. BTW, I lived in Huntsville for a short while 2 years ago

 

[Griff93]

Yeah everything gets a strap. I don't think I have a picture but the last time we went camping we had the coolers, grill, and gear for three people in the back of that CJ. You just about couldn't see out the back. We're going to do a multiday camping trip at some point so being able to carry jerry can's upright under the rack is a good thing.

Jason, Do you ever go to ride in Harlan? Some of the locals like to go ride up there. Then again some of them also go ride all the way in Colorado. I haven't made it up there myself. Windrock is as far as I've ventured.

 

[akjason]

I've never made it to Harlan, mostly because there are closer places around here. But I also keep hearing how it's fire roads or insane obstacles with nothing in between, so I'm not too motivated to go there. I go down to Windrock a few times a year, it's just as far for me as Harlan. Planning a trip down in October to break even on my annual pass. Are you in RCRC? I had a wheeling buddy that was in their group and they liked going on the big/far-away rides.

 

[e-tek]

Great fab - thanks! Now post the hinges!

 

[blaze_125]

Nice fab. But I wouldn't want to see someone bang their head against that, in the fold up position, without a helmet. And it seems there isn't much in there to hold anyone his in seat.

 

[Griff93]

Yes we are part of RCRC. I've been in the club for around 7 years. Who was your wheeling buddy that was in RCRC?

Here's a picture of the hinges. This is a 2 in long 3/8 shoulder bolt, 2 pieces of 3/4 .120 wall dom, and 4 3/8 id 1/2 od flanged 841 bushings.

This gives a better perspective to where the the rack is located. There's no back seat at all. Just not enough room. I took the 5 point harnesses out to do the welding work and haven't put them back in yet due to wanting to paint it. They are mounted to the cage as well as the seats are mounted to the cage. There's no way for anyone's head to get close to hitting that rack in either position. They would have to completely come out of their seat and over the back of it.

 

[dankeenan]

edit x

 

[Boost Creep]

What is the black knob / pipe for that sticks forward?

quick release for the extinguisher

 

[Jack Olsen]

Nice work.

But if it's not a helmet-only car, I'd get some high density (not nerf-style) foam on the bars within a 24" radius of your head.

 

[Griff93]

Boost Creep got it, that's the quick release for the fire extinguisher.

Foam is on the list of things to do. I bought some of the foam race car tubes but don't really care for them so far. You guys have anything better or a good way to mount them?

 

[great white tj]

Good looking work.

 

[akjason]

The foam pipe insulation will protect from light bumps, but, like Jack alluded to,the proper padding is high-density SFI-rated for impact protection. They apply with double sided tape. You can get them from any race outfit, here's an example:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/KIR-99011/

 

[Jack Olsen]

That's the stuff. The nerf-ball type is just to keep you from bruising yourself getting in and out. In an impact, the nerf stuff means you'll still be getting clobbered with a very hard pipe. The high-density stuff actually absorbs some energy.

 

[Griff93]

Thanks guys.