I dont have access to a welder, so I was wondering if making a roof rack out of 1"pvc, since you can get all the elbows and tee's.

I really only want to make it to mount a few lights frt and rear and for the look

I'm thinking either sced 40 or sced 80 1" should be stiff enough


If I am out of my mind please say so lol

Thanks

Rich

 

There are tons of threads on here with guys making racks with screwing stuff together. You can buy connectors and elbows for conduit which is metal. PVC would crack and break very easily. Just search the fabrication threads

 

Schld 80 will not bend or crack if properly handled. It is not UV stable, but could be painted and would be fine. 80 is some wicked stuff.

Ron

 

I work in a plumbing shop and have worked with PVC and it would break pretty easy and may warp when it sits in the sun for a while. It may be worth it to find some other materials or buy a pre-fabed up rack.

 

Pick up conduit with the elbows and stuff. You can JB weld and run bolts threw it for strength since you don't have access to a welder.

 

The problem I am going to run into is the tee's, I dont see any listed anywhere.

I could use Flat metal to connect the top and bottom, but I am trying to do this on the cheap. It will only be used to mount lights.

I am thinking I could paint it with the spray on bed liner/rubber undercoating to protect it from uv.

I guess I will price it out at depot tomorrow

I was also thinking about inserting something inside the pvc to add strength??

I am trying to be a hi-tech redneck LOL

 

I'm pretty sure I saw tees at home depot last time I was there

 

I would go with steel only(conduit at minimum), And considering by the time you bought everything you might as well of just spent the extra bucks and bought this from jcroffroad .just my .02 . Either way I can definately understand wanting to do things on the cheap. Post some pics if you decice to still build your rack.
http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/...ry_Code=XJMISC

Here is some other ideas for on the cheap with factory bars.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f59/x...ht-bar-743506/

 

MiDeerSlayer. go to John Deer, Sprinkler World, HD WaterWorks, Ewing, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware.... they will have every thing you need to build your PVC rack. use 1" for major structure support and 3/4" for elevational rises. all Schedule 80 (the grey pipe). also use a Purple Primer and 711 or 710 glue (grey glue) it holds the best without weakening the fittings. finally PAINT IT. the sun will turn the grey pipe brown and brittle over time.

one other thing, it will cost you. your looking at $50 dollars worth of plastic to build a basic rack. (2 rectangles connected together) for another 50 you could buy a chep welder at harbor frieght and build a real rack, bumper, roll cage, exo skelaton....

how do i know this? i was an irrigation technician for the ACoE working in the sonoran desert for the last 10 years. in the desert the man who rules the water rules the world.

 

ok i am going to use conduit after looking at the pvc, it isnt practical.

Now is 3/4" conduit going to be ok?

Also to connect the top and bottom, since i cant find tee's i saw some where that some one use the deck straps you can get at depot, I was thinking of maybe using 4" junction box covers, to give it some what of a different look.


Thanks

Rich

 

yes use 3/4" emt conduit...works good and lookds great..then spray paint