Build Your Own Damn Roof Rack - How I Built a $1000 Roof Rack for $300 in half a day.

[@DorisandDaddyOffRoad]

We have been needing a new roof rack. The fact that this design comes with a mill and a bunch of new tools puts it at the top of our list!

[@golffit3066]

Instead of buying a $1000 rack, I bought $4000 in tools and materials to build a rack! Well done sir! We all identify with you

[@liamm9400]

My missus particularly found this funny! I keep on telling her we saving money in the long run😂

[@C.Double.]

You could do all of this with a cheap drill, a wrench, some bits and a hand tap... less that $100. Either way though, that 4k in tools will pay for itself time and tiome again.... also, most people interested in DIY'ing either already have tools or have no issue with getting more.

[@petervda85]

That’s the point. The wife doesn’t know and you say you saved 700

[@PulpParadise]

LOL! Literally every DIYer on the planet.

[@Gaffed_Up]

This channel is CRIMINALLY underrated.

[@MrPoppshot]

I love at the end when he shows images of him offroading without anything strapped to the roofrack.

[@xpez9694]

shhh just fer looks.

[@stvargas69]

I saved $700 so I bought a $2000 mill. Makes sense

[@izzimichaels2892]

you've never bought a tool for a project? (tip : you can use the tool again ; )

[@mikegr5773]

That right there is the reason I subscribed. 🙃

[@stufoo]

Now he has the tools to make these for other people and charge 700 each...

[@shaunbags2]

sounds legit, perfect man math.

[@daniel.mcleay]

I can’t stop laughing 😂

[@henrikm4657]

Great video. There’s a lot of money to be saved with DIY that can be spent on new tools. I too use my projects as an excuse to buy the tools I want/need. One thing I would suggest, is to use butyl rubber for the bolts that go into the factory drilled holes in the roof. If water gets in there, you may get some serious rust issues and potential leaks into the cab. Also, using some sort of thread lock fluid would be a good idea, especially on off road vehicles because of all the added vibrations from driving in rough terrain.

[@DGF545]

“I have a lot of questionable ideas about cars”. Just what I’m looking for! Subscribed.

[@ConnorFXDB]

with all the $$ I saved I invested in proper tools/bits/and more! Now Im at $45,000 over budget! lol but in all seriousness solid video thank you for this! Gonna be giving this a go for my van roof rack! Cheers and thank you for the video

[@pinkskud1]

Pro tip. Get a 'machine tap' with spiral flutes of you're going to use a drill for tapping. The straight flute ones are hand taps and won't evacuate chips well enough.

[@Jenuin]

pinkskud1 I was thinking this aswell.

[@onmissionmtb9722]

The goggles on the snorkel was classic… FTW!!!

[@joell439]

These videos are so well edited and narrated. I may not be building a roof rack this week but I was mesmerized by watching you show us how. Thanks!

[@lilshane84]

Thank you so much for this. I've been wondering how to make a rack myself that wasn't A: made from steel and heavy as hell or B: made from aluminum and ending up costing me more than a platform rack I could have bought. These crossbars will be stellar. On top of having access to a waterjet, I should be able to slap together a pretty sick setup

[@freeidaho-videos]

One of the better DIY roof racks I have seen, and no welding, for those that can't. Looks good.

[@grn9209]

Overlanding and build info, AWESOME 👏🏼. Sense of humor and sarcasm, PRICELESS!👊🏼💪🏼

[@carbonbased5041]

I am an engineer, who designs all kinds of technological edge stuff for living. But I've spent ages to find a roof rack to my spec with no success. Shame. I needed your video to realize, I can do it. Thanks so much.

[@SeansLittleBayofHorrors]

This is the best DIY rack I've seen to date. Gonna rock this style build on my old Montero Sport.

[@raulguedeaiii974]

Hell yeah I want to do something similar for my Montero sport

[@mjremy2605]

Love your sense of humor and great DIY projects! I also love this rack! Subscribed. Thank you for no music during the build, hallelujah! Incredibly useful video, and you are a frugal genius. I hate being ripped off with the outrageous extortionary prices 80/20 wants for every nut and bolt. I know darn well they are getting them very cheap from China then reselling at mafia prices. So happy to see you give us some alternatives. Using cheaper side rails is very clever and drops price a lot. Knowing what size 80/20 struts worked for you is also a step closer to my build design. I have a 22 ft Class C so big roof with all sorts of things to trip over like vents, hoods, etc and to design around them. Thanks also for showing us where you bought the supplies, super helpful. My tips to you from the RV world: Use Butyl under anything that you place on roof that could leak. A roll on hand never hurts. Its a rubber compound, so on my RV, I would use it around every light fixture so no water gets into the wood structure behind. If you cut out a hatch in the metal for example, add butyl tape under the hatch ring that sits on your metal. Prior to that, of course, spray Loctite Rust Neutralizer on bare metal right after drilling and vacuuming metal bits off, and then some paint, then your butyl. The Loctite RN bonds rust to metal and acts like a barrier before painting. You probably know all this but ... sharing my favorite spray can. The other thing that you need is Dicor Lap Sealant Self Leveling type. When you drill a hole for a screw, add a dab of that, then screw your nut into the metal roof, then put another dab on top of the screw so its completely protected. Works wonderfully to seal up that screw head. To remove it, scrape it off with a knife and /or Dremel wire wheel. Dicor is the bible of the RV world! They make a non-leveling version too, but I've never used that. Question for you: Do you have to have a drill press or a drill will do? What do you mean by 'tap' on 80/20? Drill a hole? A specific kind for metal screws or ...?? What was that talk about special drill bits for drilling into the 80/20? I use the Dewalt Cordless 20V Drill and Driver. Model 887 is best. Model 885 is cheaper. 3 LED lights in front is a game changer over 1 LED light in front. Small 2 amp batteries for both is easy on the wrist.

[@benjaminreinhardt259]

This video captures the very essence of DIY. I have ~$50,000 invested in tools and building to save a couple hundred bucks building my own jeep parts. Could have saved a lot just buying the parts and paying a shop to put them in. BUT, the memories. Of cussing things that didn't fit quite right.

[@raymondclark1785]

Something like the lrtime channel. Convert garage to machine shop, install lift in driveway to DIY

[@jwiereng]

Please show more details about to frontmost feet

[@samprokop]

they look to be simple aluminium flats bent 90 degrees at the end where they rest inside the rain gutter. I had the same question since I think there's too much leverage that would be applied to the sides without the support. it's probably offering plenty of support. The only concern i would have is rattling on the roof if not at the precise length, I guess slightly longer is better than shorter on these support legs. Small rubber pads under are probably a good idea as well.

[@jacksondoughty]

This is the third video from you I’ve ever seen. This one demanded my subscription. Glad to be here- and looking forward to the next projects.

[@danielblanchard4239]

This video is highly rated, and yet still underrated. Thank you for empowering me to spend twice the cost of the project on tools.

[@doublej4965]

I like it! Looks good and sturdy enough for actual use. I think the same way on tools. ROI somewhere around 10 racks, but totally worth it.

[@mickenzie5863]

Easiest subscribe for a new channel ever, I can tell it's going to be great. I literally LOLed at the 5:45 mark when I finally noticed the diving mask on the snorkel.

[@yashaswisharma9064]

This channel is therapy.

[@SkaterStimm]

Just watched this video thinking it was a new episode, damn your production value has increased.

[@edstone1988]

Bravo. This humour has been missing from all the other off-roader videos I've watched. I'm subscribing

[@joeshoe4940]

I’m going to make mine from bamboo Because I watched Gilligans island and I think that anything can be done with bamboo Except boats

[@maeksu]

Man, in thailand they really do that shit. All the scaffolding. Bungalows in truck beds. Ladders on top of the damn ISP van

[@thewretched2474]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aemediainc]

I don’t have a truck or need a DIY roof rack, but I really like watching your videos.

[@grn9209]

Loved video👊🏼. Your narration and sarcasm, PRICELESS 👏🏼

[@moedog5087]

I think this is my new favorite channel on KZbin

[@awlance44]

I love that 80/20 stuff. They price it by the inch but you can pretty much build anything with it assuming it will fit on your credit card. Great design on your roof rack. Having a really good excuse to upgrade your tools is just a bonus. Also, I love saying "Oh that? It's my own design. Just something I whipped up." when someone asks "Where did I buy that from?" since most people just can't fathom making stuff from scratch anymore.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

I find it hard to believe all that material only cost $300....aluminum is expensive, especially McMaster and Carr

[@tornagain]

Was searching for suv roof rack vids and came across this. I will not watch the video only because I’m not looking to build my own, but had to comment and thank you for the needed morning laugh “build your own damn roof rack”!!!. I spit my coffee out and had a good chuckle. Appreciate the humor title and certain the video is helpful for those looking for a DIY solution. ✌️

[@David-kp4gx]

“I saved 700, but spend 3000 in tools and 4 weeks building it” yup makes sense.

[@myownschadenfreude]

We've all been in that project ;)

[@dchawk81]

@@myownschadenfreude My life is that project.

[@biggaywizard]

I already have the tools, my problem is that my car has no mount holes so while this video is great, it won't work for me at all.

[@electricdeckhead3083]

@@biggaywizard I used rivnuts. Threaded rivet inserts,

[@biggaywizard]

@@electricdeckhead3083 right into the roof of your car?

[@ifnotnowwhen6914]

In my experience the "save yourself 50 cents per tapped hole get comfortable and start tapping" is followed almost immediately by breaking a $12 tap reducing a $25 part to a piece of 23 cent scrap metal. Don't worry, I'm smart enough to learn from my mistakes. I learned the same lesson twice last month (Februaryis a bit shorter after all) , 4 times in January, 3 times in December, and I've scheduled lessons twice a week till fishing season opens in May.

[@snowsteds]

Lol Saved $700, so spent $3000, i like your honesty, keep er up.

[@Tomm9y]

Well worth 6 minutes of my life. Many channels would spend 26 minutes and still not convey the high quality of information.

[@bogotstogoskiing]

Built one for my FJ62 following this guide. I did modify mine a little differently but it's great!

[@johannwolf1]

I adore people like this. There are so few left.

[@RomyFrederick]

I enjoyed the honesty of this. i.e. 'when you mess up your hole spacing a little, just ream that shit out'

[@Rucksack57]

I love it, dirty adventures. I also am cheap, but making your own lets you get the size and design you want or need. Good job!

[@joeashbubemma]

Thanks for the upload! Not only are these aftermarket racks insanely priced, they don't make them for my truck.

[@DerickAguinaldo]

Puts things in perspective. It’s always give and take between time, energy, and money.

[@jpkatz1435]

S. M. : You are a perfect combination and balance of snack, cool ideas, + makers lets get it done, oh s... got to do that 2 more times. Love the Mark 5 build. Really look forward to your posts! Much thanks for the huge effort that make the vids SO good!!

[@SamChou]

Super informative, very entertaining. The math on the tooling all adds up, too. What savings! Came here from imgur, found it very informative, but decided to check YT in case somebody else had a similar build, and you were the first hit. Bravo!

[@bryancondrey6457]

I've built several of my roof racks with numerous materials. I all cases there was a 'hum' at highway speeds that was minimized with the addition of the spoiler.

[@rudetoy8264]

Difficult project made easy by your vid! Your dead pan is priceless! Keep laughing all the way to 6:05. Thx for sharing dude.

[@aijiang]

I made my ski rack out of scrap 2x4s. Its zip tied to the existing roof runners. It’s lasted 3 years so far. May need new spray paint this year.

[@Cooldaddymon]

Whether it makes sense for someone to build their own is up to the builder, however, I found your video detailed and thorough, and very interesting topic. Next, maybe you can devise mounting ideas for 4R as well as Wranglers! New subscriber!

[@mjremy2605]

Are you kidding? Making your own custom rack at 1/3 the price makes absolute sense! You also control the finish, rust proofing, and understand it well. You spend the same amount of time assembling someone else's shoddy work with huge profit margins and cut corners. Sit in your armchair and do nothing! You don't learn by over analyzing, but by doing.

[@LonelySpeck]

We did a sort of similar T-slot rail rack for our Ford Transit campervan build!

[@m0t0rsp0rt7]

You inspired me to build my own roof rack for my 2017 Toyota Tacoma off road. I did use tnutz to order all my crossbars. I even installed a 40” led light bar.

[@whitebreadkneegroo]

What were the measuremeants you ordered your cross bars at, same as the prinsu for Tacoma measurements 47"?

[@Jenuin]

LoL your humour and building / buying tools is spot on.

[@quirin5061]

the "since you saved so much buy this"-parts had me lol in the subway👍

[@GGLiEx]

Love your videos. You are by far my favourite youtube channel at the moment! studying mechanical engineering and I find your stuff inspiring as you dont tale yourself too seriously but do the stuff right that has to be done right. keep it up! greetings from Luxembourg

[@Scooopdog]

Good vlog I’m building a full. Sides and cross members from 80/20. Brilliant stuff.

[@jj481012]

I thought it said “how I built a $100 roof rack for $300.” And I thought that made complete sense when I think of all my projects.

[@garethbaus5471]

I was thinking about making a simple roof rack style mounting for solar panels(think of a tiny RV type setup) I was thinking of using some regular square steel tube instead of aluminum.

[@michael001437]

This is one of the best DIY roof racks. Thanks for great tips!

[@WaterFowlFinAddict]

The subtle comments on spending way more than a roof rack costed really convinced me I’m going to build my own as well. Lol thanks !

[@SuperfastMatt]

Sure it's more expensive, but it comes with free tools!

[@WaterFowlFinAddict]

@@SuperfastMatt love the thought process lol

[@randallthomas5207]

I made racks for my Kei truck out of 80/20 extrusion. And, I’m getting ready to add a flat basket on the hard tonneau I made for the bed of the tiny truck. This will let me attach things like Yakima rack for my bikes, and other toys for the woods.

[@lsa_mcfly3874]

Rack looks great. Getting ideas for my Sequoia. Enjoyed the pretty much true humor about the tools lol.

[@adam-newbloom]

Well done, I do the same thing I save money on a project so I can buy the tools I need to build it and then I have the tools forever. It's very obvious a lot of the commenters do not understand that methodology:)

[@Mark-by6en]

Boy, like this guy really saved a ton of money. Like cool. Like like double cool. Like like double cool cool.

[@brianmc7719]

Love your sense of humor. I don't know if you have convinced me to build my own or pay retail for a $1000 roof rack. I will probably do both. First make my own, it will not be perfect, my OCD will cause me to cut it up, throw it away and buy one for $1000. I will then complain it isn't exactly what I wanted. And let's face it the rack will sit empty 99% of the time, my only validation for spending the money will be the occasional random stranger that says, "Hey nice rack." Which unlike every woman I know will make me smile and say, "Thanks man."

[@brianmc7719]

And I have officially seen every roof rack video on YT. I just saw I commented 10 months ago. 🤣 i agree with myself. It does look good thought. 👍

[@JesusRamirez-ci2le]

I saved so much money that I went out and bought a 2000$ mill😂

[@judsontaylor3484]

what would be the trade off to mounting the extrusion vertically instead of horizontally?

[@luigisquigi9946]

As soon as you cracked open the beer I saw the beer caps “teeth” marked on your rack , or was that just me? Great video , very informative and it looks great! Thanks.

[@sparkie5571]

the roof racks for my car don’t exist anymore, so this video is great! thanks!

[@BigRigRich]

Saved $700 on the roof rack and spent how many thousands on tools. Love your honesty. Hilarious!!!

[@larrwhy6893]

Spectacular video. Thank you for the specificity of the instructions. Great job on the rack!

[@tonyanderson191]

You can purchase one from Cabela's for $120. Sprayed it down with clear coat and used loctite. This thing is a beast! You should have talked to me first before spending the $300

[@fullsendEm8076]

Love the video. This is the same diy math my husband and I use. 😂 Now off to build a roof rack.

[@davidmowser4830]

That was awesome, now I know what I'm going to be building for my rig.

[@JamieBainbridge]

Followed your advice to use bedliner spray for everything. It doesn't taste great but also I haven't had underarm sweat in 5 months.

[@maxx4944]

love the way this man budgets this project!

[@miguellasala5765]

Has any built one like this and connected it to towers that lock into door openings?

[@billwatcher9321]

"Wiggle the drill while cursing liberally " We have all been there !! I just bought a $1,000 flat rack for my 2015 Grand Cherokee that sits 2 3/4" out of level higher in the front. It's useless. The manufacturer says " that's how it's supposed to be" . Now getting ready to build my own.

[@RecordnMotion]

This is a pretty quality video, Matt! I laughed when you said how you saved money and you should buy a drill... and it was a dam Snap-On 😂

[@RecordnMotion]

By the way, what material did you use for your wind guard or as you call it, the aero shield?

[@SuperfastMatt]

​@@RecordnMotion Aluminum sheet, I think it was 6" wide and around 1/16" thick.

[@francowj]

Wow, wish I would have seen this video before I bought my roof rack. I'm subscribed!!

[@seannyd9113]

Great videos. Just wondering what size tap and bolts were used to attach the flat aluminium to the extruded 80/20? Thanks to you I’m working on building my own rack for my canopy. I’m not buying all the fancy tools though. Lol. Love the humour in all your vids.

[@mk-jl3zd]

I like your humor man,great job.

[@jaycee5779]

What are the dimensions specifically the thickness of the side aluminum flat bar?

[@zakrichardson4196]

Excellent! Never thought about building my own roof rack. Great video, thank you!

[@michaeld1770]

its a vicious cycle. build something to save money and gain some knowledge. buy tools to build project, do this for a few years have to build extra garage to house all these "money saving" tools. life it good. BTW this project is on my to do list before hunting season, good vid.

[@MrYodill]

I’m gonna need a link to that mill, you know- for building my roof rack

[@built4xploration253]

Great....now I have ANOTHER project I must try! Looks great!

[@Dutch1951x]

Great video. I was getting ready to weld a rack up but I'm considering going this route. Without the cursing.....

[@LeslieBergh]

Love the video! Would like to know how this holds up on bad corrugated roads, which a load on top?

[@DadsGotADeal]

Why not use 80/20 for the side rails?

[@MrAcuta73]

Came to this hoping for a solution to rack towers...my Ranger doesn't have built-in mountings....what a stupidly awesome idea, and easy enough to reproduce (stand-offs and backing plates). No more monsterous gap! No more leaks! Means my basket either gets modded or tossed...I'm good with it either way. I need to put weight up there (water/fuel/tools/recovery gear). I know it wasn't the point of your video, but I'm on it.

[@jasonyang9]

How do we determine the weight limit of the crossbars? Thanks.

[@JohnLaudun]

I like the cut of our jib, sir. Subscribed.

[@andrewharris17]

Any idea on approximate load capacity of the t slot cross bars? I just want to make sure that i can hold a bunch of camping stuff.

[@Papane1]

What tool should I use to angle the cuts on the aluminum ends?

[@ChristianMadrone]

What did you use for the Aero Shield?

[@superioraerialfilms7175]

But can you 3d print while you off road?

[@AMindInOverdrive]

Was worth watching just for the Bedliner paint tip! nice

[@sam-ww1wk]

and in only 6 minutes.... you're the man.

[@luigisquigi9946]

What are the heights of your spacers ? 3/4” or 1”? Thanks

[@marioflows-travelchannel2373]

How much weight can the roof rack hold? I am 170 lbs and want to be able to walk on mine. do you think the 1x2inch cross bars with a width of 40 inches would hold me no problem?

[@ulisescaislean6065]

Are those bolts strong enough for a couple of 100 kilos?