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Build a Safari Rack

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:12 am
by DRIVEN
Racks are pretty popular in the vintage import scene and I've been looking for options for a while. The Yakima and Thule baskets are pretty pricey and so are the towers and bars for that matter. I ran across these universal cast aluminum stands on CL and picked them up for $40. I really like the idea of a platform for a DIY or custom rack. Since I'm not really into biking, snowboarding or kayaking, I went the basket route. These stands make it pretty easy to create whatever you want. It's something I can throw on for a trip or show then take it off and hang it on the wall when not in use. Here's a link with more info and specs.
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1379
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Since I had some plywood and steel hanging around, I was only into the whole shebang around $60. Kind of a fun way to kill a Sunday afternoon.
Starting with the towers, I played with placement and took some base measurements. I settled on a 40"X48"X4" overall dimension.
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I grabbed 2 sticks of 1" square tubing and started cutting and welding.
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A couple quick coats of hammered finish paint. The color is pretty close to the wheels.
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Phase two started out as a half-sheet of 3/4" plywood. This particular piece has been leaning in the corner of the shop for 8 years and is a furniture grade cherry finish. FANCY! I beveled all the edges and put a 45* edge on the front. To add some interest and give some hook points for bungees or rope, I put 12 2" holes in it. Then I sanded it up nice and purdy.
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Three coats of spar varnish:
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All assembled and on the car...
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Finally got around to putting a cowl/deflector on my roof rack. I used an old, rough, rusty tailgate for my letter source. It was originally on my brother's green 521 but was sold to Jayden with a huge pile of parts a few years ago. I called to see if I could buy it back and he just donated it to the project. Anyway, I cut the tailgate into pieces, trimmed around the letters and riveted them to a strip of sheet metal. The sheet metal was then riveted to the frame of the rack. I wanted the rusty letters to "float" so I used some MagnaMask letters to save me from having to tape it all off, then shot it with flat black. The flash makes it look glossier than it really is.
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Re: Build a Safari Rack

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:43 am
by jayden71
Nice write up dude!!
That will help me with my 521 rack.
My mounts are the same type!

Re: Build a Safari Rack

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 9:22 am
by K_trip
THAT THING IS BOSS

Re: Build a Safari Rack

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 3:05 pm
by 510freak
I remember this!

I was impressed(still am) on how it came out...Props

Re: Build a Safari Rack

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 4:31 pm
by DRIVEN
Thanks guys. Thought I'd posted it before but it must have been on some other forum.

Re: Build a Safari Rack

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:12 pm
by jayden71
More than happy to donate to the project man.

Now you know what would make it even better??

Put "NW" above DATSUN

:fyea: