Author Topic: roof racks (Read 1296 times)

rickyp · « **on:** November 21, 2003, 03:46:14 AM »

I have a Nissan frontier short bed (with a leer cap) 4 door cab
The bed is very short only about 4 ft long. when I put all my hunting gear in it it leaves little room.
I was thinking about getting some cheep hard plastic bow and gun cases then mounting them to the roof racks so I can carry my weapons there reather then in the bed. I am not worried about the weapons being stolen because i can lock the cases.
what i need to do is come up with a way to mount them so they can be removed easily when I have to go to work
( I work in Washington DC on a Mil. base) and how to make them water tight. for the mounting I was thinking about drilling holes trough the bottom them using muffler clamps covered with heat-shrink coating
and wing nits.

do any of you have ideas?? what does everyone think of this?

ghostZ · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2003, 03:50:59 AM »

Just an idea but buy some good water tight cases and just bungie then down.
Also I know you said you weren't worried about them being taken or anything but I sure would be!

rickyp · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2003, 06:10:46 AM »

that is the idea of the muffler clamps. I put the wing nuts on the inside and a pad long on the case and not one should be able to get them off with out opening the case

ghostZ · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2003, 07:21:06 AM »

i understand now! I was thinking something like a pealican case, now I don't know if they make them in these sizes but somthing like that. I don't think you want to drill thru an exp case.

A few problems I see with doing this...First is if the nuts are on the inside you are not totally weather proof...you could use rubber washers like what is used on a tolet bowel but then there are still holes in the case. Second what if you want to take your rifles off the roof when it is raining?...you will get water in the foam(I assume you will use foam) and on the guns.

I have a few ideas about both water proof and very secure storage outside the vehicle if you wanna know pm me or email me.

rickyp · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2003, 08:42:07 AM »

go a head and tell me your ideas.
I have a cap on the truck and right now and just putting them on the back. I know there is a better way of carring the hunting weapons
I know i can always put them in the back seat, but when it gets cold out side I dont want my muzzle loader to go trough the timp. changes and take a chance of condisation getting in the powder

ghostZ · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2003, 10:35:38 AM »

One of the "master plan" ideas is to get a fab shop(unless you have the skill) to make you a box of fairly thin guage diamond plate. They will weld it up to what you say. I would make it where the lid contacts the bottom have a "U" shape so it over hangs the inside and the outside then put some foam(the kind you put on your bed rails before you put the cap on) in that channel. That should keep it water tight. As far as securing it...it could be as simple as taking a short loop of shielded cable looped around the roof rack rails thru an eyelet mounted to the box with a pad lock on it. Also a simple latch with pad lock to keep it from being opened.

This might not be the way for you...I tend to WAY over build things. If I am talking about securing things so they don't get taken I go overboard. Heck to secure dirtbikes I concreated in 1/2" "I" bolts to the floor in my garage.

hunt4570 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2003, 03:10:41 PM »

put a false plywood floor in the bed about 6 inches above the bed,then build a fullsize pullout drawer in that space.Now you have hidden space for your guns,bows,tools or whatever AND still have all your bed space.If you put a lock on your tailgate the space is secure as you can't pull the drawer out without opening the tailgate.(old carpenter trick).SGB

rickyp · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2003, 07:08:19 AM »

that is a great idea, and would work good with my locking cap, but with my very limited wood working skills and tools it is a bit over my head

ghostZ · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2003, 09:43:38 AM »

If using your bed is an option I agree with what hunt4570 said. If making it yourself isn't an option then I know there are sim items on the market...look thru a cabela's catalog they might have something like that.

hunt4570 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2003, 10:31:44 AM »

They do make these that you can buy,any truck accesory place should be able to order one if not in stock.Rather pricey $500-$600 I think :eek: ,you can move it from truck to truck if your next one has the same size bed.OR Lay 3-2x6s one along each side and one down the middle.Cut 3/4 ply to fit on top and screw down.Build boxes to fit cavaties with 1/2 ply(lighter)use 2x2s or metal brackets to secure corners and bottom and just slide in(wax bed first) or lag bolt ply discs(wheels) to 4 corners to aid slideing in and out.Make some kind of stop so you don't pull drawers out and drop them.Hope this helps.SGB