i,m looking for a roof rack for my 79, any one know of any different types? or any good ideas of how to build one? i,m pretty handy with my welder and other tools. thanks mudder trucker.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Jul-02 AT 11:30 PM (EST)]I put a Con-Ferr on my 89 a few months ago. You can check em' out at: www.con-ferr.com

I got the 4 inch high model - one piece. They make one that's broken down for shipping via UPS, also. They are in Sol-Cal, but you have to order thru a dealer. I bought mine thru Central 4WD in Sacto, CA - they give you a discount and have it shipped directly from Con-Ferr.

It cost about $400 with the six HD brkts, floor kit, and a pair of light mounts up front. Not cheap, but it's a good unit. I have used it two time in offroad conditions in Baja California - no problems, and I had it loaded more than they recommended, also. The only problem I had was that Con-Ferr was waiting for the clips that hold the floor square tubes in place and it took almost 3 months! I think they are past that now....

I had some pic's loaded here - will have to check and see if you still pull them up...yea, they are still there....got to my Gallery and hit 'Ray's Bronco' to see the pics...

I really like my roof rack - I have recently removed my outside tire carrier and mounted my spare up on the roof rack - makes it much easier to get in and out of the tailgate! Had to put those ugly black plastic plugs in the tire carrier holes, though...

 

I built my roof rack and it turned out pretty darn good. Give me your e-mail and I'll shoot you some pics. I have about $65-70 bucks invested in mine. If your handy with a welder it's very easy to do.

Brian

 

thanks guys. msuforeman my e mail is jimjensen@telus.net. look forword to your shots. mudder trucker.

 

Mexray,

Did you drill into the roof your self or have someone else do it? Did it crack the fiberglass at all.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Jul-02 AT 00:49 AM (EST)]Yes, I drilled the holes in the roof myself - easy to do, just get everything lined up and mark with a pencil...

Con-Ferr uses 'Well Nuts' to hold the brackets to the roof. Well Nuts are rubber inserts with a threaded sleeve inside. You have to drill a 1/2 inch hole, drop the the Well Nuts in, place the bracket on top and thread the mounting bolt through the brkt and into the Well Nut. As you tighten the bolt, it gets drawn upward, and bulges inside the roof, providing a water-tight seal and secures the brackets at the same time.

I didn't split the roof material in any manner. My 89 roof has an inner liner, so the mounting doesn't show from the inside at all.

The Con-Ferr brkts are built in two pieces, sort of like a door hinge. They use a long bolt at the hinge point that can be removed if you wish to remove the roof rack - you don't have to disturb the Well Nut mount points.

 

Can those ConFerr brackets be used to mount a Thule box type carrier? Has anybody else mounted something like that on top of their Bronco?

 

thanks for the ideas guys, and nice job on the custom made rake.. thanks for the pics. mudder trucker.