| Author | Message | ||
     Jamie (Rover_puppy) Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 217 Registered: 05-2003 |
NOW I know why I have seen so many posts about roof rack flooring. A few days ago, I climbed up there to just see how a case would fit. Interesting how easy it would be for even a big item to slip down between the floor rails. Rooting around in my garage, I also discovered that even though I have many kinds of rachet straps, NONE of them have a hook that will grasp the adventure rack rails. Don't I feel dumb? Is there anyplace that I can quickly order a "pre-fabbed" floor for my adventure rack? What kind of straps WILL WORK for tying down cargo on roof rack? HOW does one secure ANY TYPE of flooring to the roof rack? Thanks, Jamie | ||
| Greg (Gparrish) Senior Member Username: Gparrish Post Number: 1370 Registered: 04-2002 |
Jamie, if its just a time crunch for your trip, I would get a sheet of plywood cut. You can always take it off when you get home, and search out a more permanent floor then. Take some u-bolts to secure the plywood. If the look bothers you, run a quick coat of black spray paint over the plywood before attaching it. It's not the preferred flooring, but it will get you something up there in a hurry for your upcoming trip. | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 222 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks Greg, I remember reading an interesting post in the last few months here about someone who had fabricated a roof rack floor. There was a pic on the thread and whatever the floor material was, it reminded me of the backs of wrought iron patio furniture. If I remember correctly, one of the pluses of what he had made was that it still allowed light to come thru the sunroofs. I just thought that was a great idea he had come up with. There was something in the thread about the weight of it, but I don't remember if it was a positive or negative comment. I tried to find the thread in the archives but was unable to locate it. | ||
| Jesse Lessard (Jlessard) Member Username: Jlessard Post Number: 56 Registered: 10-2002 |
here's a Thread from not too long ago. ../17/25072.html> I'm planning to do somthing like that one of these weekends  | ||
| my96disco (Trevorh) Member Username: Trevorh Post Number: 202 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jamie, I have the drawings and write up for the checkerplate floor that I put on my rack if you are interested. It still keeps a lot of tie down points. Let me know id you are interested. It is not quite finished as far as posting on Discoweb but about 99%. Let me know. Trevorh | ||
| Keith Kreutzer (Revor) Member Username: Revor Post Number: 222 Registered: 11-2002 |
I'm currently putting a 1/8" 5 bar floor on ours with nifty tapped aluminum brackets. Once I get the brackets machined.. Installing with flat head screws through the 5 bar plate..If it works well i should be offering these soon.. Keith www.rovertracks.com | ||
| Axel Haakonsen (Axel) Moderator Username: Axel Post Number: 258 Registered: 02-2003 |
I have never had any problems finding straps to tie down stuff on the roof rack with, I have seen them in Pep Boys, Home Depot, truck stops and many other places. Where are you looking, and what are you trying to secure in your rack? - Axel | ||
| Jeremy J. Parkhouse (Jeremy) New Member Username: Jeremy Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2003 |
I already have a home made plywood copy similar to the Safety Devices floor (which costs around 400 UK pounds!). But I have also been talking to a UK company that makes fibreglass grid for oil rig platform walk ways etc. They reckon they can produce a 13mm thick grid that will support walking on the rack. It is almost unbreakable could be cut in advance to fit with tie down holes and available in almost any colour. My Disco is Monte Carlo blue so I was going to order blue. I have already given them the exact dimensions of the Adventure Rack. Price they said, without shipping, about 80 UK pounds. Anyone interested, I might purchase, fit and show some pics on the net. Cheers for now Jeremy Parkhouse Dhahran, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Axel Haakonsen (Axel) Moderator Username: Axel Post Number: 262 Registered: 02-2003 |
Interesting, post more details (and pictures) when you get a chance, please. - Axel | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 238 Registered: 05-2003 |
Axel, I am trying to use racheting tie down straps (much easier to tighten for girls! ) I have several straps and while they are long enough, the hooks are smaller than the roof rack rails. I just started to go take a pic of what I mean and remembered my truck is not here -- duh! I'll try to put my dilemma in different words for you -- the circumference of the rail is bigger than what will fit in the hook. Did that make sense? I have LR brand rachet straps with bare metal hooks that I use in cargo area, but I want to use straps with rubber coated hooks for roof rack. The straps I have with "coated" hooks are made by Work Force and I also have some made by Keeper Corporation. Thanks, Jamie | ||
| Jeremy J. Parkhouse (Jeremy) New Member Username: Jeremy Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2003 |
The adventure rack tubes are 1" (25mm) diameter. I use ratchet straps purchased in a local hardware store here in Dhahran. Store is based on American 'Ace Hardware' I think? My straps are made by ProGrip USA and fit perfectly. Should be available to you in one of your local outlets. Ref: the Aedo Dual battery tray. I have one ready to install. Instructions are given on Aedo website...basically remove old tray fit new and connect. No fuse box removal required. Mike Aedo was great to deal with aswell. Shipping to Saudi causes problems for most people but very smooth with Aedo Fab. Recommended. Cheers for now Jeremy Parkhouse Dhahran, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 245 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks Jeremy, I think we have Ace Hardware stores here, I will check. Thanks for the battery info. I am going to order it right away!! | ||
| Jeremy J. Parkhouse (Jeremy) New Member Username: Jeremy Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2003 |
Jamie, I just checked out your Disco in the profiles section.....nice looking truck. What tires do you have fitted and what suspension lift? Looks like you have the TJM winch bumper. I have one on order but mine has to come half way round the world to get here! Australia, Dubai, Saudi...I've been waiting since March! Much of my extra stuff is sitting around the villa because I'm worried about fitting it before the warranty runs out. Still have option of OME 2" or 3" lift, got a winch already.....not fitted! Cheers for now Jeremy Parkhouse Dhahran, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 256 Registered: 05-2003 |
Jeremy, I have BF Goodrich 265/75/R16 Mud Radials on 16" stock alloys. I do not know the "size" of my lift -- I just know that it is Old Man Emu Springs, Shocks, and Steering Damper. Bill Burke picked out all of my suspension parts and sent them to me. My tech installed them. No troubles. You can contact him at www.bb4wa.com He will go over your truck with you, find out what you will be using it for, and pick out what you need. I am very SATISFIED with his choices -- all of my suspension components worked together from the get-go. No adjustment troubles -- whew!! Your truck will eventually all come together, I had the same thing -- parts all OVER the place -- in several parts of town actually. Yes, I do have Tom and Jerry Bumper. Thanks again for input on the battery tray. Mike is making it and the cables for it tomorrow. It will arrive by the end of the week. | ||
| Jeremy J. Parkhouse (Jeremy) New Member Username: Jeremy Post Number: 10 Registered: 02-2003 |
Jamie, Thanks for the suspension info. I will contact Bill Burke to ask advice before I install. Have you decided on how you are going to set up your dual battery system? As I said I already have the tray and two Optima Yellow Tops. They came with a 200Amp relay which I think combines when charging but splits the batteries when winching or using the x4 Hella lights I have on my roof rack. I have also ordered a battery monitor system.....again from Australia. I expect all the parts you need are available on your doorstep! Jeremy Parkhouse Dhahran, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 450 Registered: 10-2002 |
jamie, the hooks don't have to fit the exact diameter of the roof rack rails. just run the strap around the rail and hook it back on to itself so that the hook is around the strap rather than the rail. ya dig? | ||
| Kelly Fristoe (Kfristoe) Member Username: Kfristoe Post Number: 64 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jamie, I just came from Sam's Club where I purchased a set of 4 wratchet tie down straps for around $24.00. The hooks fit around the rack perfectly. | ||
| Chris Nuzum (Cnuzum) Member Username: Cnuzum Post Number: 47 Registered: 02-2003 |
Bill Burke picked out all of your suspension mods? | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 262 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks, you were right, I did find rachet straps with coated hooks that are big enough to grab roof rack rails. Mike from Aedofab.com is making the tray and also the wiring cables with marine parts that connect them together and will send that along. He said techs will need to "splice" (he used other words but I understood splice concept) my existing cables, cut off the ends, and crimp to what he is sending. Techs understood what he meant. Voltage meter $14.99 from bassproshops.com, I was told I could save $1000 in repairs just from monitoring that little meter, it plugs into 12V outlet. Sounded like a great plan to me, I ordered it. Yes, Bill chose all of my suspension parts and shipped them to me, know way I could EVER figure out that!! Whatever he sent is awesome, b/c it tightened up the "loose steering play" that comes with trucks. I did not like that at all, this is my first "truck" vehicle ever, and was grateful his solutions tightened up steering and it much more responsive. Gives me much more of that nice off road response we all luv ON THE the highway. Actually, Bill gets credit for much on my truck. He picked wheels and tires too -- and also told me how to go about getting them inexpensively -- as usual, he was right. When I come up with "dumb" bright ideas he tells me don't do that, and he has turned out to be right about that stuff too! Chris, you do know that Bill and Rachel are coming to FL don't you?? If not, go to website www.bb4wa.com and get put on mailing list, if they have firmed up the dates here, they may have them listed on future events. I have not had time yet to even consider the roof rack flooring. Maybe soon?? As always, thanks for the input. |
