Built myself a roof rack...

scottyb · 02-09-2012, 09:26 PM

I'm only saying this from experience of repairing the supports and then having them break again at the next flex point. The support I suggest is nowhere near your head unless you lie across the back seat drive. LOL
Roof racks need special attention to keep them from rocking ( flexing) with the daily driving of the cart whether loaded or not. Just the weight of the rack will do it. Enough said. It's a good looking rack, enjoy the added versatility.

theclintonsx4 · 02-09-2012, 09:34 PM

I understand after reading your first post again. Go from the armrest area of the rear seat to the rear roof support to reduce movement in the supports. Makes sense...

Might be useful too, put one on each side, add an Oh S**t handle on each side for rear passengers!

scottyb · 02-09-2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclintonsx4

I understand after reading your first post again. Go from the armrest area of the rear seat to the rear roof support to reduce movement in the supports. Makes sense...

Might be useful too, put one on each side, add an Oh S**t handle on each side for rear passengers!

Yeah and maybe put some of that foam pipe insulation on them so they don't bang their heads on them when you tip side to side.... Just trying to help, it really has been frustrating even after I know they stopped using them, they were breaking, always in a new spot. ARRRG!

JcXtreme72 · 02-09-2012, 10:02 PM

Honestly even with shipping it might be worth it for you to make me one. I like it and don't want to take time to make one since I'm burried in other stuff I'm fabbing. And yes scotty it will be braced. It's going on a roll cage not just a top.

theclintonsx4 · 02-09-2012, 10:13 PM

How would u want it made? Diamond plate bottom? No mounting holes since its going on a cage? Bare metal or painted/coated?

JcXtreme72 · 02-10-2012, 12:46 AM

Can you PM me a quote for one with expanded metal bottom in both bare and coated black?

bud light · 02-10-2012, 01:06 AM

Man those guys from SC know how to build anything.
Good job!!!

yurtle · 02-10-2012, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclintonsx4

I understand after reading your first post again. Go from the armrest area of the rear seat to the rear roof support to reduce movement in the supports. Makes sense...

Might be useful too, put one on each side, add an Oh S**t handle on each side for rear passengers!

I was just discussing that yesterday with some neighbors for mine. We were talking about adding a diagonal from the rear seat arm rests to the roof supports. All I have is an overhead stereo console on mine, yet the flexing ScottB is talking about is noticeable. I had to build a "luggage rack" to mine, to tie all three struts together, to eliminate sags and squeaks. I still have to contend with folks hanging on the roof while I corner, and rear passengers often ride standing up, facing forward, and hang onto the roof. Aggressive cornering, acceleration and braking put a lot of live loads onto a system that was meant to offer shade while driving across a golf course.

What ScottB mentioned about roof struts failing is something I noticed on WorkHorse buggies at work. My rear struts are slightly bent at the point they connect to the rear seat. I need to compare them to my neighbor's, to see if that's normal.

davjohn28 · 09-12-2019, 05:06 PM

do you guys think it would help strengthen the strut setup if in front i ran a thick piece of flatbar from strut to strut across the dash as we ll as did that again at the top right under where roof meets front struts?
my ideal setup would be to find some HD front struts to keep the flex down, some days im scared both front struts are going to snap.

bronsonj · 09-17-2019, 11:52 AM

I don't think you would gain too much from horizontal braces since they are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the stock front struts they would not offer much additional stiffening. Diagonal struts would, but then that somewhat limits your field of view. You could put a little 10" diagonal brace in the upper corners to help, but that may be too obstructive to your view even at 10" and with the diagonal brace, the bigger the better.

OTOH, it won't hurt to add horizontal braces and if you do add them it gives you a lower mounting point for some diagonal bracing.

02-09-2012, 09:26 PM	#11
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,408	Re: Built myself a roof rack... I'm only saying this from experience of repairing the supports and then having them break again at the next flex point. The support I suggest is nowhere near your head unless you lie across the back seat drive. LOL Roof racks need special attention to keep them from rocking ( flexing) with the daily driving of the cart whether loaded or not. Just the weight of the rack will do it. Enough said. It's a good looking rack, enjoy the added versatility.

02-09-2012, 09:34 PM	#12
theclintonsx4 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SC Posts: 68	Re: Built myself a roof rack... I understand after reading your first post again. Go from the armrest area of the rear seat to the rear roof support to reduce movement in the supports. Makes sense... Might be useful too, put one on each side, add an Oh S**t handle on each side for rear passengers!

02-09-2012, 10:02 PM	#14
JcXtreme72 Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 1,942	Re: Built myself a roof rack... Honestly even with shipping it might be worth it for you to make me one. I like it and don't want to take time to make one since I'm burried in other stuff I'm fabbing. And yes scotty it will be braced. It's going on a roll cage not just a top.

02-09-2012, 10:13 PM	#15
theclintonsx4 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SC Posts: 68	Re: Built myself a roof rack... How would u want it made? Diamond plate bottom? No mounting holes since its going on a cage? Bare metal or painted/coated?

02-10-2012, 12:46 AM	#16
JcXtreme72 Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 1,942	Re: Built myself a roof rack... Can you PM me a quote for one with expanded metal bottom in both bare and coated black?

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02-10-2012, 01:06 AM	#17
bud light Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lawrenceburg Ky. Posts: 1,771	Re: Built myself a roof rack... Man those guys from SC know how to build anything. Good job!!!

09-12-2019, 05:06 PM	#19
davjohn28 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 204	Re: Built myself a roof rack... do you guys think it would help strengthen the strut setup if in front i ran a thick piece of flatbar from strut to strut across the dash as we ll as did that again at the top right under where roof meets front struts? my ideal setup would be to find some HD front struts to keep the flex down, some days im scared both front struts are going to snap.

09-17-2019, 11:52 AM	#20
bronsonj Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Saint Petersburg, FL Posts: 2,089	Re: Built myself a roof rack... I don't think you would gain too much from horizontal braces since they are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the stock front struts they would not offer much additional stiffening. Diagonal struts would, but then that somewhat limits your field of view. You could put a little 10" diagonal brace in the upper corners to help, but that may be too obstructive to your view even at 10" and with the diagonal brace, the bigger the better. OTOH, it won't hurt to add horizontal braces and if you do add them it gives you a lower mounting point for some diagonal bracing.

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