| Author | Message | ||
     Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 517 Registered: 06-2002 |
I had a few requests to post info on my roof rack flooring I installed a month back so here it is.  It is lightweight grid wall constructed of 1/4 inch thick wire spaced 2 inches on center and finished in baked-on semi-gloss black lacquer. This is used in retail applications for hanging merchandise and goods for sale. Jack Parker gave this idea to me when the roof rack flooring discussion had come up before here, thanks Jack! Now this stuff can be had online or in business’s that sell stuff for retailers but I got it for free from my local convenience store that was going to throw it away. It can be bought in various sizes but as mine was free so it was already a certain size. www.walterwmartin.com  I used a Dremel and doubled up cutting discs to cut sections off to get it to fit. Mine was two sections, one with wings on them. Now it worked out perfect because I was planning on just covering the back portion but the other piece laid perfect where the winged piece angled right up the slanted potion on the rack. This can be done with any cut to fit pieces.  I secured them to the rack with hone clamps  All the pieces I cut and the hose clamps I painted with flat black anti-rust paint found at my local PepBoys. This was to keep the metal from rusting and to keep the hose clamps from being seen too much.  This was all done in a mater of a few hours and It is secure, makes no noise while driving - wind or rattle, removable, and strong. (I can stand on it between the rack openings with no problem – 190lbs) Also because it is grid wall I don’t have to worry about where to tie down straps. It can be done anywhere on the grid and hold great. As mine was free I paid just $15 for all the hose clamps I needed anf the paint can. If you search Google you can find tons of places that sell grid wall and a 2'X5' section can be had for about $15 each. | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Senior Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 380 Registered: 11-2002 |
Nice job. I would be afraid or it rusting, though. | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 267 Registered: 10-2002 |
I've been looking for the same stuff to organize my cargo area with...custom "dog guard" and shelf. | ||
| D Cantrell (D_cantrell) New Member Username: D_cantrell Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2003 |
Looks Good, Thats the same material ARB used to use on its rack.... | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 519 Registered: 06-2002 |
Only time will tell on the rusting factor but with 4 coats of anti-rust paint on the exposed areas, I think it will fair better than that peice of shit rear ladder thats rusting all to hell. Jason, using this for a dog guard is brilliant. Greg and D, thanks!! | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 885 Registered: 09-2002 |
That is very cool Eric. I very much need to do something like that. | ||
| John Lee (Johnlee) Member Username: Johnlee Post Number: 89 Registered: 03-2003 |
http://home.attbi.com/~kkskinner/titlepic.jpg | ||
| Jack Parker (Jack) Member Username: Jack Post Number: 158 Registered: 03-2002 |
Eric, I remember that discussion, glad it worked out for you. That looks like the thinner version of grid, as ours has double wire (top/bottom) on the edge sections, but then again, yours was free! And, if it holds your weight, it sounds to be just as strong. We've been using it outside for displays in the summer, and after three years the rust is minimal. Of course, that's not subjected to road grime, magnesium chloride, etc. but so far, it's pretty good. If you're ever up in Winter Park, let me know, I'd like to see the finished product. Jack | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 524 Registered: 06-2002 |
Jack will do, thanks. It does have double wire on the top and bottom and thicker wire on the left and right sides. Don't know if it is the same thing as what you are talking about but it is perfect for me! | ||
| Kinnie van Eeden (Yenza) New Member Username: Yenza Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2003 |
I would personally prefer some wider aluminium strips in the roof. I need to be able to walk on the roof rack in order to pack it. Hannibal has an option that suits me better. Have a look at photo's on www.yenzatours.com Regards, Kinnie www.yenzatours.com | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Senior Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 479 Registered: 05-2002 |
Lets go back and explore John's post: I have a few guesses to the point he is making, but that is irrelevant. I do know that I covered the sides of my 5x14 trailer in aluminum diamond plate for about $115. This included two 4X10 sheets of diamond plate, custom laser cutting, and the bolts and bits required to secure it. I can not imagine that covering a decent expensive roof rack with DP would cost more than $60. Aluminum will not rust either. Although the cheap stuff sounds interesting, I would bet that you have that stuff off your rig in two years. I will also wager that you will be repainting your expensive rack in the same timeframe. Just a guess. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 500 Registered: 04-2002 |
where did you get the diamond plate from Curtis?? | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 269 Registered: 10-2002 |
first hit on Google for 'Aluminum Tread Plate' returned this: http://www.voyageraluminum.com/aluminumtreadplate.cfm | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 502 Registered: 04-2002 |
I think I called them for a price once and they were a little high | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 526 Registered: 06-2002 |
Kinnie, I walk on it with no problems. They do have thicker wire on, what they call, slat grid, a bit heavier though. Curtis, Many people, including me, don't want a solid surface on the rack. Some have covered an adventure rack with DP and so it is possable, and this explains how with expnaded metal which would be similar. http://www.discoweb.org/rackflooring/index.htm I have heard that expanded metal has caused wind noise on some peoples racks and is harder to tie down too, unless you cut holes, but it is heavy duty and DP was just not an option to me so this was perfect. I know that alot of people are on a forever quest for adventure rack flooring and this was a good option all around, in my opinion. I doubt I will take it off in two years, I am VERY happy with it. Regardless of your point or Johns, I posted as a suggestion for people that have the same delema I did. | ||
| Mike Rupp (Mike_rupp) Member Username: Mike_rupp Post Number: 190 Registered: 02-2002 |
http://www.discoweb.org/steverupp/disco028.JPG. Functional and good looking. Just find a metal fabrication shop. If they can't do it, I'm sure they could point you in the right direction. | ||
| Chris von Czoernig (Chrisvonc) Senior Member Username: Chrisvonc Post Number: 1081 Registered: 07-2002 |
Honestly, after over 2 years of that being up there on my rack, I dont hear any wind noise from the expanded metal flooring over the tires, engine, windows open, and radio. Tie downs can be placed anywhere. If I had to do another one, I would go with the next size larger pattern so I could use even larger tie down hooks if I needed to which is the reason I cut the larger holes at the x-supports to loop larger straps around the them. Chris von C. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 282 Registered: 11-2002 |
Cmon , admit that the Chicken post was good.....lol Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 513 Registered: 04-2002 |
he he, yeah it was good. I've actually got a bunch of chain link next to my pile of rover junk up in the hay-loft here at my parent's house. Oh the possibilities.... LOL | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 562 Registered: 07-2002 |
I should say that my flooring I did with the "cattle fencing" has also worked out really well. In fact, I have used it extensively lately and found myself walking around and putting all sorts of things up there without even thinking about it. Before I had to plan out and balance every load while balancing myself on the rack. It cost a total of $25 bucks! No rust (Oregon), and only weighs about 7 lbs. and I too will be putting the hose clamps on mine, the zip ties are holding, but they will eventually break.   | ||
| Neil Flanagan (Electriceel) Member Username: Electriceel Post Number: 120 Registered: 02-2002 |
"Cmon , admit that the Chicken post was good.....lol" But incomplete... http://www.maggiore.net/greenacres/sounds/ragatheme.ram | ||
| Jack Parker (Jack) Member Username: Jack Post Number: 159 Registered: 03-2002 |
I thought the chicken post was funny. It's not always what you say, it's how you say it. John summed up his feelings in one short link! The funniest thing I've seen this week, however is this:  | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Senior Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 482 Registered: 05-2002 |
Carter: I bought the diamond plate from a local fab shop. They ordered it in and cut it to spec for that price. I am sure you can find it locally without much effort as well. Eric: Don't misunderstand me. It is a pretty good idea and will serve you well for a while. I am just speaking of my multiple bad experiences with corrosive metals in outdoor applications. It seems that no matter how much you try to paint them, anything short of dipping them in vinyl or a really good powdercoat seems to quickly lead to oxidation. The paint on your rack's flooring will scratch and it will rust. Just keep an eye on it so you can protect your rack. | ||
| Jeffrey DelVecchio (Jeffreydv) New Member Username: Jeffreydv Post Number: 21 Registered: 01-2003 |
Why not coat the metal with POR 15 to prevent rust? It is rock hard, chip resistant, rust proof, and flexible. Jeff | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 532 Registered: 06-2002 |
Jeffrey, tell me more about POR 15. | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Senior Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 484 Registered: 05-2002 |
Jeff, Is that the same stuff they use on truck bedliners? If my memory is right then it is. If so, it would probably work great. | ||
| Jeffrey DelVecchio (Jeffreydv) New Member Username: Jeffreydv Post Number: 22 Registered: 01-2003 |
POR 15 is a line of rust preventative products. They are thin like paint but dry hard yet flexable. I used some to seal an oil leak on the rear differential of my 89 RRC. You can check them out at www.por15.com Jeff |
