Wonder if I can make my own overlanding rack...

[bdubya73]

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-hydraulic-pipe-bender-32888.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/mig-140-professional-welder-with-120v-input-57863.html

Now we're talkin'! That looks like I could really do some dumb stuff with that! ;p

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[bdubya73]

If budget allows, I would go with something a little bit better... and easier to use with better results...

Something like this. Buy the base kit and the die set to match the tubing you are using...

Does not have to be the hydraulic version... just a quick photo I found from them...

Yea I was considering buying a bender myself and then I came across those DIY muffler kits. I may revisit this option. I might just visit the local muffler shop here in town with some pipes and see if he'll bend them for a smaller price than me buying my own equipment. Cuz let's be honest I'll crimp the crap out of my first few pipes until I get the hang of it... next thing you know I've spent more on equipment and scrap pipe than I would have for a pre made rack! hahah

 

[wchevron]

You could probably go with some schedule 10 or 20 steel tubing. I would think that would be strong enough, if not schedule 40 would be plenty strong. Don't think you could bend it but if you weld you can get welded tee, 45* & 90* fittings. Any plumbing supply house would have it. Can get pretty much 1/2" up to any size you want.

 

[wachuko]

Yea I was considering buying a bender myself and then I came across those DIY muffler kits. I may revisit this option. I might just visit the local muffler shop here in town with some pipes and see if he'll bend them for a smaller price than me buying my own equipment. Cuz let's be honest I'll crimp the crap out of my first few pipes until I get the hang of it... next thing you know I've spent more on equipment and scrap pipe than I would have for a pre made rack! hahah

We have a saying... Must save no matter the cost ??

I like tools... and have been buying all the stuff I think that I will need for when I retire... Once I retire and I am on a fix income, well, things change, right?

Wife will be happy since she will know where I am at all times (in the garage of course)...

So I will be getting one of those benders as I want to play with making a mini-bike with some VW Bug fenders and a B&S engine that I have...

In the last few years I got a TIG and a MIG welder, plasma cutter, a metal lathe and milling machine... list goes on...

Anyway... I hear you, but to me, tools is what separate us from the monkeys... lol.

Looking forward to see what you come up with.

 

[330K06TJ]

So, I'm new to a Gladiator (but not Jeeps, I've had four Wranglers) and LOVE the ability to mod the absolute crap out of them. That's the main draw for me. Anyway, I got a Glady this time because I can admit the need to have a truck option but still have the good parts of a Wrangler. Now that I have a bed I wanted to try my hand at one of those sweet tent/rack setup deals. But dang a good overland rack is about as much as the Glady itself! And I am not a fan of the uber squared off racks that are so prevalent. So then my brain got churning and was trying to figure out if there was some kind of pipes out there that were kind of modular in a sense. Kind of like erector sets for grown ups. I eventually ran across these DIY exhaust kits and I was like ... hmmm could this work? Before I drop $150 on this amazon beaut can anyone with more knowledge (read: sense) tell my why this might NOT work? Unless I'm missing something my brain says I could use the 90 degree elbows right at the cab and then the four 45 degree bends could be at the back end of the rack, one at the top and then one at the bed (to make the total 90 bend). Then I could attach them left and right with maybe an H pipe ?

Here's the Roof Rack/Tent Platform I designed and built. All Aluminum and Stainless with flexible mounting options for different vehicles. Sourced the metal from a local Steel/Metal company with an outlet open to the public. Total of just under $1000 invested, plus build time (but that was just fun!) Would make a few minor changes if I made a 2nd one, but all-in-all I'm very pleased with the result. No welding, all drilled and bolted.

 

[AmosMoses]

I would just buy a tent and a tarp and throw it on a good clearing where you could have a campfire. No need to peacock around town with all kinds of gear hanging from your truck.

 

[wachuko]

I would just buy a tent and a tarp and throw it on a good clearing where you could have a campfire. No need to peacock around town with all kinds of gear hanging from your truck.

This! That is my plan for now... I have all the camping gear from the motorcycle rides I have done from Orlando, FL to the opposite corners in the the USA.... so my plan, initially at least, is to use what I have for now. I would carry everything that I needed for a 13 days trip, (food, water, clothes, cooking stuff, table, chair, grill, etc.) in a motorcycle. All that can be reused in the Jeep and not take much space.

Eventually, I kind of like the idea of having a rack mounted tent... but as you mentioned, not needed to just go out and enjoy the outdoors...

Having said that... I still recently spent 500.00 on a bed rack... another impulse buy since that could have waited another year... I should have gone first for the metal knockoff bumper and a winch instead...

 

[bdubya73]

I would just buy a tent and a tarp and throw it on a good clearing where you could have a campfire. No need to peacock around town with all kinds of gear hanging from your truck.

True. I agree. That's why I need the rack to be kind of modular. It won't have the tent etc on it all the time. I'll need it for my paddleboards in the summer and ladders etc.

 

[AmosMoses]

This! That is my plan for now... I have all the camping gear from the motorcycle rides I have done from Orlando, FL to the opposite corners in the the USA.... so my plan, initially at least, is to use what I have for now. I would carry everything that I needed for a 13 days trip, (food, water, clothes, cooking stuff, table, chair, grill, etc.) in a motorcycle. All that can be reused in the Jeep and not take much space.

Eventually, I kind of like the idea of having a rack mounted tent... but as you mentioned, not needed to just go out and enjoy the outdoors...

Having said that... I still recently spent 500.00 on a bed rack... another impulse buy since that could have waited another year... I should have gone first for the metal knockoff bumper and a winch instead...

Very cool! Regardless of what you end up doing, youre gaining alot of capacity for gear vs. the motorcycle.

 

[RobbertCole]

I would just buy a tent and a tarp and throw it on a good clearing where you could have a campfire. No need to peacock around town with all kinds of gear hanging from your truck.

if youre poor just say so.

I dont leave anything on the truck when im not camping.


could you imagine sleeping on the ground like some sort of wild animal? disgusting.

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