Safari style cargo roof rack - NOW with Cowl!

[DRIVEN]

I've been looking for roof rack options for a while. The Yakima and Thule baskets are pretty pricey and so are the towers and bars for that matter. I ran across these universal cast aluminum stands on CL and picked them up for $40. I really like the idea of a platform for a DIY or custom rack. Since I'm not really into biking, snowboarding or kayaking, I went the basket route. These stands make it pretty easy to create whatever you want. Here's a link with more info and specs.

http://www.nrsweb.co...00&pdeptid=1379

Tools used:

-tape measure

-band saw

-grinder

-welder

-drill, bits, holesaw

-circular saw

-sander

-vice

-hammer

Since I had some plywood and steel hanging around, I was only into the whole shebang around $60.

Starting with the towers, I played with placement and took some base measurements. I settled on a 40"X48"X4" overall dimension.

I grabbed 2 sticks of 1" square tubing and started cutting and welding.

A couple quick coats of hammered finish paint. The color is pretty close to the wheels.

Phase two started out as a half-sheet of 3/4" plywood. This particular piece has been leaning in the corner of the shop for 8 years and is a furniture grade cherry finish. FANCY! I beveled all the edges and put a 45* edge on the front. To add some interest and give some hook points for bungees or rope, I put 12 2" holes in it. Then I sanded it up nice and purdy.

Three coats of spar varnish:

All assembled and on the car...

I designed it so I could add a cowling to the front but haven't decided on the "right" look yet. There was an old beat up 620 tailgate floating around here but I can't find it now. I was thinking of cutting the D A T S U N out of the center and using that. Maybe some wood slats. Maybe just s sheet of aluminum. I don't know. I'll update the post when I settle on something.

 

Thanks for looking.

[Sealik]

Nice job.

Can't tell from pic.....but you should really slather that spar on the edges and holes you drilled.

Soon as a little water hits the exposed veneers.....it's gonna swell up.

[DRIVEN]

Thanks. Got it covered. Probably not going to be in the rain much -- if ever. I would definitely advise against using wood for year-round use in the northwest ;) . This is more of a summer camping piece.

[ninjabortion]

this thing looks great man, nice source for towers that clamp on and don't look too modern. my yakima stuff looks too fancy for a 76...

[DRIVEN]

Thanks. That's actually one of the main reasons I did the write-up. My brother was telling me about a set of "old looking" towers he had seen a few weeks ago. When he saw mine he said he was pretty sure they were the same kind. Even new ones look old. I think that's a good thing.

[greengoon]

That thing is so cool! Its perfect. Nice job. Makes me wish I didn't have a sunroof. :D

[DRIVEN]

Finally got around to putting a cowl/deflector on the rack. Jayden (thanks, man :thumbup: ) donated a rusty old 521 tailgate that was in a huge pile of parts I sold him a couple years ago. It was originally on the BACWOODS DAVE 521 and was extremely rough so it's really not a loss to the Datsun world. I cut the tailgate up and trimmed around the letters. Then I pop-rivetted them to a strip of sheet metal which was rivetted to the rack's frame. Thanks to the magna-mask letters I didn't have to do any masking. The flash makes the black paint look glossier than it really is. I'll put up another pic or two once the rain stops and I put the rack back on the car for the summer. Let me know what you guys think.

[uieluck]

Shit man,, I've been on Ratsun for a while! But, this is the first time I've seen this write up! Awesome work man!

[Crimson Cap]

Sick, where did you find the Datsun lettering?

[Tristin]

Sick, where did you find the Datsun lettering?

 

Lol did you even read the thread? its from a tailgate. Good first post.

[DRIVEN]

Shit man,, I've been on Ratsun for a while! But, this is the first time I've seen this write up! Awesome work man!

Thanks.

 

Sick, where did you find the Datsun lettering?

If you're asking about the Magna Mask letters, they belong to my brother. He found them when they were cleaning out a storage room at his shop. He used them on his 520 and 521 builds. Post #56 of this link kinda shows how they work. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/10425-backwoods-tribute-72-521/page__hl__%20backwoods%20%20521__st__40

[DRIVEN]

[Crimson Cap]

Lol did you even read the thread? its from a tailgate. Good first post.

just trying to be social of course i saw the source. What can i expect being a new guy though.

[Tristin]

just trying to be social of course i saw the source. What can i expect being a new guy though.

 

Post a build/introduction thread and let people get to know you...

[poor-mans-720]

okay, so more on these magna letters.... They look sick...

So are they metal, or magnets, or plastic?? And where can i get a set?? they look hella cool...

[DRIVEN]

I don't think you can get them new anymore. They are plastic and magnetic. You paint over the letters with the color of your choice and let it dry. Put the magnetic letters over the raised letters on your tailgate. Then paint the tailgate body color. Remove magnetic letters and clear coat the entire tailgate. They can be reused over and over.

[DRIVEN]

[datrod]

That's a really nice rack ya have there..... Best part is no holes in your roof.

[DRIVEN]

Thanks! Nothing fancy, just a different way to slice it.

[sedan20]

that looks sweet man! id like to give something like this a shot for my daily. damned good info.

[Madmax]

at first i was like what, 521 tailgate!!!...but i really like it, love using your head instead of your wallet!!!

[graveltrapp]

That is very nice, I have always wanted a rack that I could set a cooler and a couple lawn chairs on to take to the track for fence line spectating. Maybe even some car top camping. Definitely inspiring, thanks.

Custom design and affordable and on top of that Classy! Booya.