Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Sommer net vir die interresantheid: waarvan bou 'n mens n dakrak? / Just out of curiosity: which materials to build a roof rack?

Square tubing frame with mesh iron bottom?

Hoekysterraam met laaghout vloer?

Aluminium?

Steel - much easier availability of materials in correct profiles and sizes and welding no problem but heavy.

Aluminium - I can not find the correct profiles, don't know an aluminium welder but is ideal because of weight.

I want to build something specific but am battling to find the correct profiles on the internet available in SA.....

There is aluminium profiles available but these profiles cost a bit more than the usual profiles. My wifes company ( Tectra Automation ) use various profiles for various projects from conveyors to flight simulators using a profile that looks like this...
Excuse the jointing system....hahaha... as I was going to try use offcut pieces to make up a frame for a workbench. Have a look at the profile though. This is incredible strong and although I was using a 75 x 75, one can use a 20 x 20 or 25 x 50 ( sizes may vary slightly ) I know they have a bolting system that joins a 90 deg bend as tight as a full weld too. Unfortunately they don't make up roofracks, but I'm sure there is a profile similar to this available here somewhere.

ricster wrote:There is aluminium profiles available but these profiles cost a bit more than the usual profiles. My wifes company ( Tectra Automation ) use various profiles for various projects from conveyors to flight simulators using a profile that looks like this...

offcut joins.jpg

Excuse the jointing system....hahaha... as I was going to try use offcut pieces to make up a frame for a workbench. Have a look at the profile though. This is incredible strong and although I was using a 75 x 75, one can use a 20 x 20 or 25 x 50 ( sizes may vary slightly ) I know they have a bolting system that joins a 90 deg bend as tight as a full weld too. Unfortunately they don't make up roofracks, but I'm sure there is a profile similar to this available here somewhere.

Any idea where they source this profile from?

aus Deutschland...... They are part of Bosch Rexroth, hence why I mentioned it isn't cheap, but it is as strong as ........ a Patrol !!

ricster wrote:aus Deutschland...... They are part of Bosch Rexroth, hence why I mentioned it isn't cheap, but it is as strong as ........ a Patrol !!

Funny you mention all this - my father in law is currently in the process of building a small roof rack for a portion of his pajero, and he was going to build a full roof rack for me before I bought my new patrol that already has a rack.

He works for a company in kempton that is part of Bosch Rexroth, and so he is using this aluminum thats been mentioned above, as well as some slightly different profiles that also come out of them. His project is starting to turn out very very nicely, I honestly think it might be the best looking rack out there at the moment now, and the best part is the entire thing is sliding and bolting together, so no welding.

Its seems the most expensive part is going to be getting the feet to bolt the rack to the roof gutters now though.

graham1 wrote:

ricster wrote:aus Deutschland...... They are part of Bosch Rexroth, hence why I mentioned it isn't cheap, but it is as strong as ........ a Patrol !!

Funny you mention all this - my father in law is currently in the process of building a small roof rack for a portion of his pajero, and he was going to build a full roof rack for me before I bought my new patrol that already has a rack.

He works for a company in kempton that is part of Bosch Rexroth, and so he is using this aluminum thats been mentioned above, as well as some slightly different profiles that also come out of them. His project is starting to turn out very very nicely, I honestly think it might be the best looking rack out there at the moment now, and the best part is the entire thing is sliding and bolting together, so no welding.

Its seems the most expensive part is going to be getting the feet to bolt the rack to the roof gutters now though.

Any chance of a photo or 2 of what he has done/is doing?

Seen some build with alu and connect it - how strong they are......... don't know but my packing system of 3yers is still working 100%

"He works for a company in kempton that is part of Bosch Rexroth"..... which company?.... I'll have a huge giggle if its the same company.... small world hey?

ricster wrote:"He works for a company in kempton that is part of Bosch Rexroth"..... which company?.... I'll have a huge giggle if its the same company.... small world hey?

Hes at Hytec. Yes, a very small world! When I first scanned through this thread I had to double check that it wasnt actually my father in law posting on here! Its just been in the past month that me and him have been working out the rack with this aluminum. Amazing that we're not the only ones who thought this is good stuff for a roof rack.