considering the weight i'd prefer welding than trusting 230lbs above my cars with acehardware made in china 25cent bolts. :D

nice work

I would think that with grade 5 hardware it would be strong enough, considering these are what are probably holding your car together it should hold a few tires. Besides the pieces would be lapped such that the steel itself bears most of the weight, the bolts are just to keep it from falling apart. I might try the bolt together option as I don't have a welder. I would probably trust bolts more than my welds anyway, LOL.

so do you really think those UL labels on cheap electronics actually went through UL approval (or without some sort of major waiver)? :tup:

^always the cynic.

always realistic. :tup:

UL turned to self certification/testing for most categories so there are lots of loop holes now.

I believe the rack would work fine with the carriage bolts instead of welds. Bolts of at least 3/8 ths diameter though.... lock washers or locking nuts too.

You guys kill me! :bowrofl:

uh oh... :ugh2:



yah, that's great. but we're talking about cheap chinese electronics now. :tup: ;)

I would be very nervous with my Z parked near or under that tire rack!

Why? The rack can withstand twice the load range of the tires and the rack is bolted to the wall with 6 lag bolts into the wall studs... It has been up for almost a year and no issues at all.
I understand paranoia, but the rack is solid. I jack my car up, put jack stands under the axles, shake the car, check the stands and then place the jack in "catch" position just in case.... lol And even then I stay out from under the car if I can help it!!!

one good reason about living in southern California is that there is no need for winter tires. but if i did, I would make something just like you did

What about track tires? Another good use for a tire rack!

Southern California...:drool:

Just a note: One of my chain link adapters (1/8") started to come apart and stretch so I upgraded all of the chain link adapters to 3/16" size just to be safe. the other three were fine, but who wants to take a chance!

That is a beautiful install, what did you end up putting on your Z for winter wheels? I'm going to have to make the investment soon.

Those are Dunlop Graspic DS3 Ice Tires. The Z will never see deep snow, but an icy road is all these are for. The wheels are Enkei EK2 Eurosports in 18" diameter. Good winter wheels but now that I am dropped on Swifts, I may never use them except for the spring and fall when the roads are too cold for the Bridgestones....

Ah crap, I just need to be able to survive with like 2-3 inches of snow on the ground. That's all I ask for :(

I would still go with Ice Tires as the siping makes for good traction and the roads are generally clear with just 2-3 inches of snowfall. You don't need snow-clearing abilities in a tire for the Z, just traction control!

These are good measurements you gave I took all the stuff I needed to work cut and welded it up put a little paint on it and installed it on the wall.

For those of you thinking of doing this go ahead his measurements are spot on.

Rep to you sir.:tiphat:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...3/IMG_0059.jpghttp://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...3/IMG_0058.jpghttp://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...3/IMG_0057.jpg

Very Nice! I am jealous of your wheels however... :tiphat:!

I'm bumping this thread because I'm hoping to do this as soon as I get my garage cleaned out a bit. Great DIY, wheee!

Wow lol. It's been a while...

Is the rack still holding strong?

Rack is in my new shop and has been awesome. Bought a Cdn Tire version to go with it and store the wife's tires on that one. In comparison, mine is way more robust and in my opinion, sturdier. I'll get a pic of them in my shop when I get home. I'm currently deployed on course and exercise till November.

I've been looking at some locally and online in recent months. I found some for about $50 but they are super thin tube steel and barely have any load rating. The actual robust ones are like triple that price and still don't seem very sturdy (at least compared to yours). DIY FTW :tup:

The one I bought is sliding tube steel and is flimsy. I use it for the small car tires off the wife's car. I think I paid $75 on sale but I agree, angle iron for the win.

how much are you in on this?

they sell these online for $100

ive had 2 for years now no problems

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEGS-80385-A...9XDVIA&vxp=mtr

nice job, if U R really Type A the tires should be in black garbage bags, then rotated every few months so no flat spots occur

I'd be curious on the material cost as well.

The e-bay one looks good, but that is $190 Canadian after exchange, shipping and duty.

My homebuilt version cost about $20 to build with angle iron I had laying about.
If you read the thread, you will see there are no flat spots due to the cupping of the tires by the angle iron.
Bagging is a good idea but a good detailing in the spring will also work :tup:

Here's a wooden option that can be tucked away unobstrusively.

that 2x4 is bowing down, double up on the 2x4 or use 4x4,,,carpenter 30 years, not a welder

Wood option will work too, make sure it's strong!
My option allows me to mount it and remount it anywhere. :tup: