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Old 08-22-2020, 09:00 PM   #1
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Need Rack Fabricated -Sacramento,Ca area

Looking for Fabricator to build a roof rack for my 2001 Ford E150 Highroof van to hold solar panels and some antennas

Wont be standing on or stacking on it so limited wait

The roof is a "domed" shape without flat area to mount to so needs adjustable legs or ? Open to ideas

Let me know of anyone out there open to this project
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RackVentSolarPanels.jpg   ! Solar Rack 2.jpg   ! Brian Roof Rack Version 2 copy.jpg  

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Old 08-23-2020, 05:43 AM   #2
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Don't know of anyone in NorCal, but Weldtec Designs in SOCAl could do it.

https://weldtecdesigns.com/
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Old 08-23-2020, 07:32 AM   #3
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I don't know if these guys (in Elk Grove) fabricate, but, if they don't, I'll bet they can recommend someone:

Home - Ultra Truck Works
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Old 08-23-2020, 09:19 AM   #4
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Here is how I made a similar rack. Cross bars are from VanTech out of Brooklyn, NY. They do work van utility racks for the most part.

I bought some steel angle from the local steel supply store, drilled holes and bolted them to the slotted cross bars with carriage bolts. The wood deck is then bolted to the flat part of the angles.

It's big and bulky looking but gets the job done. I went with the aluminum cross bars to reduce weight but with the steel cross bars and wood deck it's quite a beast.



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Old 08-23-2020, 09:20 AM   #5
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Old 08-23-2020, 09:57 AM   #6
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If you decide to fabricate something yourself, Blue Collar Supply on Florin-Perkins Rd. has everything you'll need at reasonable and sometimes, great prices. Personally I'd go the aluminum route, lighter and rust-free:

Industrial Hardware Store | Sacramento, CA | Blue Collar Supply

Even if you're not going to build the rack, they have amazing stuff. I got a great deal on commercial quality, collapsable storage bins.
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Old 08-23-2020, 10:19 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jboles View Post
Here is how I made a similar rack. Cross bars are from VanTech out of Brooklyn, NY. They do work van utility racks for the most part.

I bought some steel angle from the local steel supply store, drilled holes and bolted them to the slotted cross bars with carriage bolts. The wood deck is then bolted to the flat part of the angles.

It's big and bulky looking but gets the job done. I went with the aluminum cross bars to reduce weight but with the steel cross bars and wood deck it's quite a beast.
I have a similar top but never see me adding anything above the existing converter-installed fiberglass roof. My particular roof has the upper roll cage added along with the factory c-pillar being removed for extended height rear doors.

For the "easiest" installation I'd go with JBoles arrangement---it wouldn't require drilling or cutting into the fiberglass roof. That particular attachment scheme and location of the deck is superb for added mounting area of solar panels IMHO anyway.

Could those flexible and conformable solar panels work for this project? OTOH antennas could be mounted directly to the fiberglass IF there was sufficient under support to help spread the weight across a larger footprint.

I'll look forward to seeing how this progresses.
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Old 08-25-2020, 06:09 PM   #8
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I looked into that and their tallest ones are not tall enough

My roof is over 24" tall and that is their longest mounts
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Old 08-25-2020, 06:11 PM   #9
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I know of Blue Collar, been buying there for projects for over 30 yrs

I am not sure about Aluminium, would love it, but would take Heli-Arc welding and dont have that

I live out of my van, so tools, place to work, etc limit my build
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Old 08-25-2020, 06:13 PM   #10
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IF I ever get to So Cal I would have them help, love their suspension kits as well
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