Roof Rails ?

[Cajun Kid]

For my 53 Studebaker (under Build Diaries) From what I read I am required to have roof rails and those rails need to be a max of 3/4" tall.   If that is the case I guess I should make them the maximum height of 3/4" ??
 Then where do I put them ?  I know,,, silly on the roof would be a good place,,, but seriously,,,should they run from the the windshield back to the back glass ?  then how far apart.. side to side,, as far out towards the doors  or what ?

I was thinking of using .060 aluminum  1.5" wide and bending it to make 90 degree angle,,, 3/4" vertical rail and the other 3/4" flat attached  Rivet ? or Bolted?  to the Roof ...


Thanks

Charles

[stratman59]

Charles,

From what I found out 1/2" to 3/4" with the 1/2" having less drag.
They to be as close to outside as possible and parallel.
From the windsheild to the backglass and I have seen some go to the rear cowl panel'
We pop rivet ours on and haven't had any problems.
I'm sure someone way smarter than me will tell you more.

Robbie

[Glen]

Charles' mount from the wind shield to the front edge of the rear window and along the roof where the radius starts to the side. DO NOT mount with sheet metal screws, they come loose. You can use riv-nuts or 10-32 flat head screws counter sunk and elastic stop nuts about every foot. I am sure others will have some input as well.

[Cajun Kid]

Robbie & Glen,

Thanks for the info... Ok which way is best way to mount the rails with the flat part where it is riveted or screwed to the roof on the inside towards the middle of the car facing each other or to the outside ?


  This way  is facing in       L      J     or the opposite.... facing out ?

[Glen]

flat side out     L

[Cajun Kid]

Verticle  Side out ?


      L   roof   J     like that ?

[stratman59]

the screw flange  to the inside facing each other.

L on the diver side.
J on the pass.

Robbie

[Bville701]

Yep you got it CK.   

[Cajun Kid]

Thanks guys... may build them tomorrow too.....if time permits

[Glen]

You can buy 1/8 x 3/4 x 3/4 x 6 ft alum at Ace, Home Depot and Lowes hardware stores, soft and easy to form for roof curve.

[Cajun Kid]

Glen,

I will look for the Aluminum angle as you describe...

we have plenty of flat aluminum,, was just going to bend a 1.5 inch strip in a 90 angle to make a 3/4 x 3/4

but the store bought angle will work too..

Charles

[Glen]

There is also thinner wall like 1/16"

[Jonny Hotnuts]

From what I found out 1/2" to 3/4" with the 1/2" having less drag

I would not understand how, providing the rails are dead parallel to the direction of travel, there would be any noticeable (or measurable) difference between .5 and .75 rail height.


I am just curious how you came to this conclusion.


I have always suggested that a person should use as tall of a rail as possible. While I have not seen any data on rail height vs. decrease in lift generated by traveling laterally  I made the assumption that bigger is better…..especially if its not causing any significant increase in Cd.


~JH

[Cajun Kid]

JH,

I am going  with the max height or  3/4" on my roof rails.

Now do I use  3/4 x 3/4  by .125 thick material  or .100 or .090. or .080  ?

Charles

[McRat]

I used .060"
It's pretty rigid. 
.125 is way too thick IMO.