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Tom Schenk
04-25-2005, 07:44 PM
I finally finished the cargo rack today with just a little light left. This was a bit more work than I had figured when I started. I couldn't justify spending $400+ on a premade so I spent $50 on some used steel and made this one. The rack is 1" round tube with 3/4" square rungs. It mounts to the windsheild frame and bumper with 1/4" plate and 1 3/4" round tube. The rear clears the glass by 1/4" when it opens. The first time I measured off of the soft top and found that I couldn't open the glass when the hard top was on. This should hold a couple hundred pounds easy. It has 5 spreaders that can suport my weight (180) on just one. The square plate on the back is the base for the CB antenna mount. It rotates so I can fold the antenna down when its not being used. I still need to weld in the hi lift mounts and I might put a couple of lights on it. My dogs will be happy that they get the back of the Jeep to themselves again. It was good welding practice; I'm getting a bit better. And as always I'd like to thank Rustoleum Hammered paint for its superb job of concealing the boogers I call beads. :)

http://www.photodump.com/direct/tomschenk/rack6.jpg
http://www.photodump.com/direct/tomschenk/rack5.jpg
http://www.photodump.com/direct/tomschenk/rack3.jpg
http://www.photodump.com/direct/tomschenk/rack8.jpg
Wind_Danzer
04-25-2005, 07:54 PM
Looks good, I'm jealous of y'all that have the tools and the space to do this stuff.
jeepsonly
04-26-2005, 10:19 AM
Wow, very nice. Looks professional.
NVRSTUKXJ
04-26-2005, 11:32 AM
Tom.....nice job....it looks like the rear mounts are hinged, is it made to fold back for top removal????
Tom Schenk
04-26-2005, 02:37 PM
Tom.....nice job....it looks like the rear mounts are hinged, is it made to fold back for top removal????

That was the plan. I tried to fashion it after the aftermarket ones. The trouble is trying to hold the weight of the basket and mess with the soft top. It's definatly not a 1 man operation.
Griswold
04-26-2005, 04:06 PM
looks good. how about an expanded metal floor for the small stuff?
Tom Schenk
04-26-2005, 05:58 PM
I was actually thinking about aluminum panels to go in between the spreaders. My theory is that they will reflect some of the light (heat) off of the Jeep and would serve as shade when the top is off. Any thoughts?