How To Build A Van Roof Rack

Avoid drilling too deep into the roof of the car.

How to build a van roof rack.

Attaching the rack permanently to the van is the scariest part of the whole build. Diy camper shell roof rack. However it adds a lot to a simple roof rack. Ensure that the roof rack is in position and properly adjusted leaving good space at the centre.

This is a simple diy roof rack for my compact car that i designed for transporting my kayak for a cost of under thirty dollars. It will take you through the process of making an amazing roof rack with lights attached in it at every angle. If you have factory roof racks that run from front to back you can build your own steel crossmembers using one inch square tubing cut to size and secured to the factory racks using carriage bolts. It s easiest to install your roof rack early on in the build so you can easily access the inside of your van s roof.

Also be sure to see the minor. Created my own roof rack to haul big items with the beater. Using a measuring tape move the rack into the desired position. Then slide the unistrut crossbar over all 4 cone nuts in a line.

Using a flat head screw driver assemble the roof rails to the top of the car by sxrewing the side rails and the cross bars together. I ve always wanted a roof rack for my land cruiser but the commercially available options didn t fit my needs so i made a custom one come see how. Once the 13 16 unistrut crossbars are mounted to the panels lift the 2 panel array up onto the 1 5 8 unistrut side rails on top of the van. All the bolts and unistrut cone nuts must be mounted to the panel first.

Can t tell you how many opp s that i missed where i wasn t in the truck or jeep to haul it home. Drilling holes into the van is not something you want to get wrong so be sure to measure twice drill once. Our van along with may other models features a channel in the roof with pre drilled holes to attach a roof rack. Set the assembled rack atop the vehicle.

Want to take a simple diy roof rack a few levels up. These holes have plastic caps in them when not in use.