It's been a while since I've really done anything to my Blazer so I figured this was thread-worthy...

Its an older model Yakima rack designed for a 91-94 Explorer that I got for about $40. Since a new, complete rack system is around $500, and I am unwilling to pay that, I just bought some nuts and bolts (grade 8, of course) and drilled straight through my roof

I think it turned out well...


















I set up the bolts so that I can remove the rails without needing to hold the inner bolt head. That way, if I need to remove it, I won't have to pull the headliner in order to get to the bolts. I've got some steel plates I'll put inside between the bolts and I'm gonna try and find some way to cover up the bolts in between the roof and a-frame supports. I'm also planning on sealing it all up and refinishing everything
Thanks for looking

 

So it's been a few weeks but I've got it completely finished now... classes have started up and I haven't had much freetime so I've had to just do parts here and there. I got everything repainted and made some aluminum brackets for underneath the roof. After epoxy-ing and bolting everything down tonight, it's a LOT stronger. When I push down on the rails it doesn't flex the roof near as much as before adding the aluminum plates.











Also, the quick release bolts that hold the front fork of the bike are warped pretty badly. Years and year of overtightening have almost sheared the metal off and that's all that's stopping the bike from falling off the roof so I need to find some new quick releases.

I planned on this being a simple one-day job but kept finding more and more things to strengthen/repair

 

I dont think you can fit outta the garage with that bike on there!

Good setup! I like!

Nice job saving a couple bucks, but doing a good job and making it look good too.

 

Not bad for a n00b

 

indeed

 

I hope you took that bike off before you left the next day.
That's pretty good, actually. I like it.