Operation Build-a-Rack-Thing: By WagZ

[mustangwagz]

Sup boys/gals, time for yet again, another fabrication. Since The attex is pretty much done (other than charging issues...dont ask..) id like to make it more versatile to fit my lifestyle and the things we do over in these parts. Hunting, fishing, hauling, firewood cutting, joy riding, etc etc etc...and etc. lol In order to do this, i feel the attex needs some on-board haulage space. ( i.e.: a rack or "bed" if you will..) Now, as most of you know, my attex is still rather nice, and all in 1 piece (or 3 if you count them seperatly..lol) and id like to make the rack removable if needed, but hinged for the most part so i can access the engine bay to check oil for each pre-trip inspecion. Also, with this in mind, i must maintain a "light weight" setup, cuz who wants to fiddle around with bulky heavy crap. Not to mention, the long term adverse effects that weight and gravity do to the plastic body. "wow, them puppies is hanging low.."

This is just a forewarning, that ill be posting pictures in the near future, along with thoughts, comments and details on how i do it. And once my wood burner is at a good stable burning temp, im heading to the garage to get my fab on! ive already got the "bed" made (previous project that i no longer need..) Frame work is my next goal!

[Toys4Me]

I picked up one of those aluminum harbor freight racks when they were on sale and it fits perfect on the back. I'll upload some pics later.

Aluminum Hitch Cargo Carrier - 500 Lb. Capacity

Actually I found one of the pics I put on here.

[Model Citizen]

Also, with this in mind, i must maintain a "light weight" setup, cuz who wants to fiddle around with bulky heavy crap. Not to mention, the long term adverse effects that weight and gravity do to the body. "wow, them puppies is hanging low.."

At my age, I hear that all the time. Oh, you're talking about a rack for your Attex?

I can't recall if you have a roll cage or not, but have you considered maybe a good netted hammock material that can be attached/dettached to the cage? It's lightweight & can hold some really big butts. Whipper puts his fishing rod (minus the reel) in some pvc tubing that he can attach to the stock Max.

Bridget

[mustangwagz]

No roll cage on the attex yet..maybe some day? lol As for the aluminum rack, i like the looks of that! looks good, and no doubt, deff light weight!

[mustangwagz]

UPdate: Well, went to start welding stuff...and i opened the valve on the welder tank...to my surprise...my friend used it all. lol...so...yah. Time out on welding stuff i guess. CRAP!

[mustangwagz]

Tank for my welder will be back today...muhaha! So i'll finally be able to get my weld on! Woot!

[mustangwagz]

So welding and fabbing took place today. Welded these Nipples into place on my angle that i decided to bolt to my existing body band. Why Pipe you ask? Well..ill be able to use it for a few ideas really. I can cap them off if i need too. for example, if i decide to remove the rack and just cruise with mounts on, i can cap them and away i go. Or i could possibly make myself an anchoring point if i need to also. for maybe getting puleld sideways or something? I also made the MOUNT detachable. Body band is drilled and tapped, and as you see i have button head bolts inplace to prevent snagging. Or aleast reduce the amt of snagging that will occur. For what its worth, its bolted in 4 places. One of the bolts being inside the tube.


In the Next picture you will see what it will Sort of look like. i used these pieces of pipe to show roughly how it will look. Im tossing around the idea of "bending" the pipes at a slight angle to kinda follow the body lines idea in a way..however i need to find me a bender to do so..maybe just some Heat and RAW strength to get er done.. (now to find raw strength...lol) This is just the beginning folks. so sit tight and hold on. surely my build will get interesting!


-WagZ-

[mustangwagz]

rack2.jpg

rack3.jpg

[LarryW]

Looking good so far!

[amphibious drew]

Looks like its going to work pretty good for you.

[mustangwagz]

rack4.jpg

As you can see, its about done..came inside due to hunger and lack of drinks. (shoulda called pizza joint..lol) It still needs bolted down in rear, you may be able to see i didnt drill and tap yet. It also needs a little touch on the very outside of the frame work near the front.. (the angle that attatches to the pipe on the very outside part of my rack build..) its sharp..and sticks out. i was thinking about welding a 1/4inch thick piece of strap metal from there, back to where it makes its first angle. This will 1. smooth out the look and design a bit. emiminating sharp or rough edges. 2. also allow for places to "secure" stuff via bungee cords or ratchet straps, etc etc. however, i need to get some strap material from work in order to do this. Also i will need to get a sheet of plywood to mount inside the frame work. Anyone else think it looks like a "bow Case" for a compound bow? lol i was looking at the one in my garage today and was like..hmm.....just a tad bigger than that! lol

Anyhow, its FAR from pretty...trust me..if i was trying to win a beauty pagent, id have someone else build it..lol But as for functional, and simple minded...it gets a 8 outta 10 from me. haha.

Enjoy!!

-WagZ-