[bar5721]

I am thinking of build my own roof for my 900. Do you guys thing 1/8 inch diamond plate would be two thick for a roof. I can buy a sheet that would possibly build 2 roofs for $100. I have been looking at other roofs and want to build it mostly like the lock and ride steel roof is built. make it flat at the back just like the frame and maybe a lip up front to hold a future light bar. Maybe make some insert plates for the front part of the roll cage to seal off the holes. anyone have some thoughts on this. i want it to still be able to function with lock and ride windows in the future.

 

[stainlessman]

Aluminum is soft , so 1/8" would be fine.

 

[bar5721]

It would actually be steel diamond plate. Is what I am looking at.

 

[Natethedog]

Gk for it bro. If it's a little too heavy, tell your passengers they have to drop a few pounds.:encouragement:

 

[stainlessman]

Aluminum diamond plate is available also...:****sure:

 

[alloutdoors]

I would go for it. One thing I would consider is adding some rubber mounts to isolate the metal away from the roll cage to minimize the level of vibration/noise.

 

[bar5721]

I would go for it. One thing I would consider is adding some rubber mounts to isolate the metal away from the roll cage to minimize the level of vibration/noise.

i wondering if a seal kit would help. Or something like that. 3m seal maybe.

 

[alloutdoors]

i wondering if a seal kit would help. Or something like that. 3m seal maybe.

There would be no harm in trying

 

[OFRCboy]

I am thinking of build my own roof for my 900. Do you guys thing 1/8 inch diamond plate would be two thick for a roof. I can buy a sheet that would possibly build 2 roofs for $100. I have been looking at other roofs and want to build it mostly like the lock and ride steel roof is built. make it flat at the back just like the frame and maybe a lip up front to hold a future light bar. Maybe make some insert plates for the front part of the roll cage to seal off the holes. anyone have some thoughts on this. i want it to still be able to function with lock and ride windows in the future.

1/8" aluminum would be good and 100 bucks is a unbeatable price, BUY IT!

 

[commanderjjones]

Even 1/8" aluminum is thicker than necessary. That's what I used on my '06 XP and would use thinner if I were to do it again. But 1/8" steel is DEFINITELY overkill.

 

[bar5721]

My dad had some spare sheets laying around the shop and it seems very heavy. But all the lighter stuff is more exspensive. I am going to keep looking around for maybe some thinner steel.

 

[Cajunrangerxp]

Here is an idea/suggestion for your rubber vibration insulators. Tractor Supply sells 3' x 4' x 3/8" thick 3' x 4' x 3/4" thick rubber sheets of livestock stall padding. I build my roof out of high density, high tensile strength fiberglass that we use in the business that I am in. I used 1/4" thick fiberglass plate with a narrow fiberglass 1/4" x 1-1/2" strip bolted all the way around the edge so that it looks 1/2" thick. I cut some 1-1/2"wide x 44" long strips of the rubber sheet and ran them across the width of the ranger cage for the insulators it worked great.
I was going to rhino line the roof but they wanted $400 for it so I used 3M bed liner spray from Autozone and it worked great. Here are a couple of pics. You may not be able to see the rubber but I stacked the 1-1/2" w x 44" long strips of rubber to get the thickness that I needed. I will try to post some pics of the construction in progress.

 

[Cajunrangerxp]

The roof during construction.

 

[bar5721]

That's cool Cajun. I am very open to new ideas for sure.

 

[OFRCboy]

My dad had some spare sheets laying around the shop and it seems very heavy. But all the lighter stuff is more exspensive. I am going to keep looking around for maybe some thinner steel.

1/8" thick aliminum will be lighter than 14 or 16 gauge steel. If it was mine I would use the 1/8" aluminum if you use any much thinner you will have to have some bends for strength and deal with vibration problems. Aluminum is very soft so you need it to be thicker than steel.

 

[commanderjjones]

.....Aluminum is very soft so you need it to be thicker than steel.

That depends on which grade you're using.

 

[jackg384]

That depends on which grade you're using.

What would you suggest?