| Author | Message | ||
     Ray Gerber (Raygerber) Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 227 Registered: 09-2002 |
I've been contemplating different options for flooring, and while I'm comfortable with good old plywood thickness ranges, I was wondering if anyone could provide some solid input as to what thickness they have used, or would use, for say Aluminum treadplate, or perhaps UHMW plastic. Thanks- Ray | ||
| Jim Reynolds (4x4xfar) Senior Member Username: 4x4xfar Post Number: 277 Registered: 05-2003 |
http://www.offroadtuff.com/RhinoRAC.htm -Jim | ||
| Richard S. Warburton (Warburtonr) New Member Username: Warburtonr Post Number: 35 Registered: 02-2003 |
I used 3/16" aluminum plate, cut to fit in sections, then I punched 2-1/2" holes on 3-1/4" centers using a Greenlee hydraulic electric knockout punch (which was borrowed, forget about buying one) for the front half. I realized I wouldn't live long enough to do the whole floor, so I had the back half holes plasma cut. The floor is plenty stout for walking on, etc. It added about 65 lbs to the weight of the rack. If I had to do it all over again, I would use 1/8" aluminum, and cut fewer holes spaced farther apart. If you get a chance, look in the classified "For Sale" for a picture under "DII Rack and Others". The 4' x 8' sheet of 3/16" aluminum was about $135, so it wasn't prohibitively expensive. | ||
| Ray Gerber (Raygerber) Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 228 Registered: 09-2002 |
Richard- Outstanding info, I appreciate it! Jim-that stuff looks awesome, I read about it when it came up a few weeks back but that is a chunk of change to drop on flooring, especially when I was planning on fab'ing my own rack that this stuff is going to go on. Thanks guys- Ray | ||
| Frank Rafka (Mongosd2) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Mongosd2 Post Number: 305 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hey Ray, I used 3/4" expanded steel, about 60.00 bucks from my steel guy...I attached with hose clamps...covers the entire floor of the rack, really easy...only adds about 25 pounds... Frank | ||
| Ray Gerber (Raygerber) Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 230 Registered: 09-2002 |
Frank (or anyone else with the expanded steel flooring) was there more, or less, noise with the addition of the flooring? I'm contemplating it, although I have to admit I would like a solid flooring to cut back on how much damn water comes through the sunroofs! | ||
| Craig Kobayashi (Koby) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Koby Post Number: 877 Registered: 02-2002 |
Ray, check out Blue Gill's flooring. He's using plywood and it looks pretty good. | ||
| Frank Rafka (Mongosd2) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Mongosd2 Post Number: 313 Registered: 02-2003 |
No change in wind noise, no sun roofs... Frank | ||
| Blue (Blue) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Blue Post Number: 1084 Registered: 04-2003 |
1/2" plywood, quality exterior sealant (top, white), quality exterior black paint (sides & bottom), 4" holes cored for anchor points, left the middle step-up portion naked, maybe a little less noise on the highway, rack is MUCH more usable with a floor, about $150 & my time invested  | ||
| Matthew A. Barnes (Discoveryxd) Senior Member Username: Discoveryxd Post Number: 328 Registered: 08-2003 |
I used steel mesh, the kind that has diamond shaped holes in it. It's heavy duty stuff that doesn't flex or bend when you walk on it. I like it because I can pass rope/tie downs through it to secure it to the mesh or bars. There's some pics in my gallery where you can kinda see it. The pics aren't that good though. Compliments on the roof rack flooring Blue. Sure doesn't look like plywood to me. Nice job. Matt |
