BJ74 Aluminum Roof Rack

[Glenn-BJ74]

I have been thinking about getting a roof rack for my 74 for some time. I want the option to haul a small kayak, chainsaw or light bulky stuff. No plans for a RTT, but it could be accommodated. The JDM roof racks I have seen on BJ74s are all way too high for the bush we must plow through in British Columbia (Canada). The BJ74 is a little difficult to attach a roof rack to as compared to the 60 series due to the shortage of drip rails for attachment.

I decided to have one made by a marine fabricator here on Vancouver Island out of aluminum with stainless hardware. My specifications were lightness and strength, full coverage 50” wide by 77” long (internal), with a low profile with 8 supports, 2 across each door drip rail and 4 across the rear. I also wanted 1” by 1” outriggers off the sides and rear for attaching a tarp for shelter from the rain, hail and snow.

See the 1 1/4" square tubing inserts where the 1" by 1" outriggers slide in.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

More shots of the construction. As you can see it is flat profile but it still has 1" retaining lip to prevent stuff fron sliding out.The bracket pulls are stainless as are the nylocks nuts.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

The outside frame is made of 1” by 2” rectangular tubing, so I have a 2” flat mounting surface on the outside perimeter for mounting a side canopy, lights or whatever. The cross ribs are 1” by 1” and the rest of the grid is ¾” aluminum tubing.

The design enables me to attach a Heavy Duty 10’ by 18’ reflective hay tarp. I got a heavy tarp this time --14 mil (7 oz/yard) tarp with grommets every 18” with a rope reinforced hem, so it can be pulled very tight.The following pictures show the canopy deployed. I will get ball bungees to speed up set-up.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

I just got back from a 6-day trip, with two days in in the rain and the canopy system works well. I sleep in my rig and it is nice not have rain coming in the open side window. I pull down the middle of the tarp in a V for rain drainage.The 6 outriggers and tarp store up top at the back - nice an easy to get to. I chose a silver reflective tarp for shade if I need it when I head south.

I could use staked tent poles, whenever trees are not close enough.

 

[77cruiser77]

very slick. I'd like to see more pictures of the 1" square tube in there. Any idea how much it weighs?

 

[77cruiser77]

my bad. I loaded this page between your posts before I posted

 

[Granite Grinder]

I've used a similar idea with the roof rack on my 60, just that all my outriggers were tree branches. The real beauty of this system is it stores on the roof rack (I'm assuming) so even if the tarp is soaked, who cares, just fold it up and lash it down. When your travels are over (or it gets sunny) dry it out.
Looks excellent Glenn, the one other idea I wanted to use the rack for (on my 60) was to hold up the shower stall. Do you use a stall or do you go commando? I travel with my kids (as you know) so they're not going to shower without a stall and thought that an outrigger would be perfect.

 

[Whistler74]

Very nice - way prettier than my attempt out of emt tubing. Good simple solution on the tarp as well - you could rig back - side - even front to do any engine work in bad weather.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

I've used a similar idea with the roof rack on my 60, just that all my outriggers were tree branches. The real beauty of this system is it stores on the roof rack (I'm assuming) so even if the tarp is soaked, who cares, just fold it up and lash it down. When your travels are over (or it gets sunny) dry it out.
Looks excellent Glenn, the one other idea I wanted to use the rack for (on my 60) was to hold up the shower stall. Do you use a stall or do you go commando? I travel with my kids (as you know) so they're not going to shower without a stall and thought that an outrigger would be perfect.

On the last (wet) Chilcotin trip I was hauling tree branches, which gave me the idea. Yes everything stores on the roof rack and so it can be packed up wet and dirty, rather than stuffing it into a dry cruiser.

For showering I use the Bass Pro privacy enclosure (idea courtesy of Drew) when I need privacy to shower (not that often where we go) or to get out of the wind to keep a little warmer. No friggin rods to assembe, insert or lose- it is just flips up erected – like magic. As those with us on the Chilcotin trip know -- it take a little skill to fold up. When collapsed it fits in my Trasheroo, along with my folded NATO field toilet. The Outriggers could be used for a shower support, but they are a little ways from the pump switch and lately I have been using the overhead shower more as a hand shower.

The deluxe model which I was unable to afford due to budget constaints comes with a cute little ‘assembly assistant', pictured below.

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Excellent idea! Love the use of aluminum...

 

[Phil in BC]

That looks rally nice. Do you think that would be strong enough to put a 12ft aluminum boat onto? I'm sure the rack would be fine, but not sure about the gutters being on the fibre glass roof. Been pondering this for a long time now and would love to find a way so I can stop trailering my boat. The forestry roads into some lakes is really hard on the boat, and trailer. But passing a rig on the highway and having the whole dam thing get ripped off doesnt seem like a good idea either.

 

[Phil in BC]

Doesnt anyone have any input as to the strength of the gutters on the FRP tops?

 

[bj70_guy]

I seem to recall hearing they're good for around 400 lbs, though i wouldn't swear to it. IIRC Stone used to pack a 10' aluminum boat on the roof of his 74.

 

[crushers]

i have loaded up a BJ74 gutter before and they are pretty damn strong. i would suggest going with a full length "spreader" in the gutter to spread the load but fiber can be as strong or stronger than the steel gutters.

i love the design, simple, clean, light ... what more could you want?

now, about the assistant, got any more pics?

 

[Whistler74]

I had around 500lbs on my roof - the gutter mounts are about 12" long (one each side plus 2 on the rear). For that load I also had a curved support that followed the contour of the roof above the roll bar to take some of the weight. It wasn't a very pleasant drive with all the creaking and groaning, and I made sure to miss as many of the potholes as I could! I certainly wouldn't have done that on a rough road...

That said, a roof tent or similar should be fine anywhere you want to go.