hey so i'm designing my roof rack on this 3D modelling program called SolidWorks. just wondering what u guys think of my design so far.



(those block looking things r the lights. they're 5x7's just put em on for looks)

 

Looks good. How will you be mounting it to your roof? You welding it yourself?

 

thanks! yes i will be welding it myself. and i'm not exactly sure how to mount it yet. i'm gunna see if i can come up w/ something so that it mounts in the factory railing.

 

Solidworks FTW! love that program, designed a full 3800 supercharged (gtp) motor assembly and it worked too, took about 4 weeks to create each part, and another 2 weeks to assemble and modify finishing touches.

 

hey man looks good... I think your best bet for mounting would be to just use 4 U-bolts!

 

Looks good man, can't wait to see it done!!!

 

Looks good! Are you going to be building it out of aluminum or steel? If steel, I would recommend going with the thinnest wall possible or it will be VERY heavy!!

You should take a look at how the factory rack attaches to the rails on the roof and copy that, cam locks and all. It would make for a very clean installation that wouldn't be excessively high off the roof of the truck.

 

I like the sloped fairing in the front! And I would suggest aluminum...you're already gunna lose a mpg or two from the wind resistance, no need for extra weight! Also the more weight you put into the rack, the less weight it can carry!

 

thanks for all the comments!

ya i will be using a thin steel since i dont know how to weld aluminum and dont have any friends that know how. and i dont wanna pay to have it welded.

and ya for mounting im def looking at how the other racks mount. i want to keep it as close to the roof as i can. and taylor i dont think 4 u bolts will work that well lol.

 

Uhh yeah I have a roof rack, and it basically mounts with 4 u-bolts. I mean, they are not exactly ones you would use to clamp exhaust pipes together with, but its the same concept. Do first gens have the two rails that can slide forwards and backwards between the rails that run lengthwise?