Tye one on
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Having a Roof rack built for my 1543. I’ve got a pretty good idea what I would like to see but I’d love to see some of your creations for ideas. Cheers!!
Having a Roof rack built for my 1543. I’ve got a pretty good idea what I would like to see but I’d love to see some of your creations for ideas. Cheers!!
I would make it full length of the cab and incorporate a sun visor with lights built into the visor, maybe have a ladder up to the rack and a observation deck maybe for surveying the terrain, on the back another set of lights. just a few ideas.
Good looking Cats . I really like the 1643I agree wholeheartedly with a ladder, or other means of access for the roof-top carrier. Realize you're going to be accessing it in the winter, which means snow and ice on the steps/ladder rungs. Very easy to slip, lose your balance and fall. I think in addition to adequate steps so you can safely access all parts of the rack, you also need hand holds. Here are some pics of two Tuckers with racks I've owned:
The first is a 1980 1543. The ladder access is excellent, and you can step off the ladder onto the gas tank to reach the rear of the rack. However the open design of the rack is poor (in my opinion).
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The second photo is the other side. Here you can step into the open carrier on the side. It's a taller reach to the top. I have the same complaint on the open rack. The floor has decent support members, but needs to be a full size floor to hold smaller objects. I also much prefer the idea of a weatherproof box to an open carrier on the side.
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Here's another, which is our current 1643 project machine. This photo was taken shortly after we acquired the Tucker, and during a day of testing. This roof top box has nice expanded metal sides and the floor is also expanded metal. We will add some more supports under the floor. But overall it's a pretty nice rack. We also intend to weld some tabs to the rack for mounting LED lights, both on the sides and in the rear. We removed the rotating beacon and the spotlight. The plan is to attach a large LED light bar to the roof in front of the rack. And there will be some form of steps and/or ladders. Since this photo was taken we removed the open top aluminum box and the welded on supporting framework. We welded new supporting frame members that replicate the gas tank support members for the addition of a large Weatherguard enclosed and lockable box.
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Good looking Cats . I really like the 1643