Bowfin Cruisers Roof Rack for the 100 Series
- Thread starter dogfishlake
- Start date
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@dogfishlake I may have missed it but do you (or can you) machine the slots in the rails to accept accessories similar to the Prinsu? I’m not totally clear about how to attach to the slots on yours. Sorry for the rookie question. Here a pic showing what I’m thinking about.
Do you have any racks in stock that aren't powder coated already? Trying to keep everything on my LX evo gray color from prismatic.
- Thread starter
- #105
You would have to pull the rail off of an end to put the rings on that way. Standard T-nuts are this way as well. For other items that clamp on, like "quick fist" clamps, you can use drop in style t-nuts. I don't sell them myself because I don't get a discount and don't need to be charging you extra to sell them through me. The best place I have found to buy them is tnutz.com. They have been a good supplier to me and great pricing. You would be looking for 10 series t-nuts in 1/4-20 size.
I haven't had call for such a machined slot but I will look into possibly getting this done if requested.
- Thread starter
- #106
I can sell you one without the powder on the side rails and wind deflector or coat it in evo grey for you. I have it in stock. Just pick grey in the options box on the site. Shoot me a pm on which you may want to go with as I keep better record of requests that way. Thanks!
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Did I just spot your rig in the Harmon parking garage at the UofA?? If not it’s a twin and I love the rack!!
How much higher than the factory rails would you say it is?
- Thread starter
- #109
The rack is 2 1/2" above the roof's raised strips in the center of the truck. Since the rack is flat, that is actually the closest part. In the rear of the truck it is about 3 3/4" above the roof because the factory roof drops down but the rack does not. The factory roof rack follows the roof contour but mine does not so while giving a perfectly flat profile it is nearly the same height. I don't have a factory rack here to compare but hopefully that gives you info to compare to stock.
Hello. Pardon me if this has already been covered, but why is this rack designed to have a 2.5" clearance at its tightest point? It seems that it puts the rack up at least 2" higher than it needs to be and creates a taller than necessary side profile, but doesn't allow storage access underneath in the same manner as the FRO racks.
- Thread starter
- #111
I never intended for under storage. It is a design plan and garage clearance plan really. There is no noise from wind and it fits in nice with the look of the truck. Front Runner makes great stuff and has excellent accessories. I started this business (my side career over my main job) with the idea of not bashing competing products but rather as another choice in an under represented market due to low volume/profitability opportunities (on top of the fact that I am a Cruiser nut). I can't say I wouldn't make that happen someday but for now it won't on this rack. Great observation though.
- Thread starter
- #112
I missed the point about it being higher than the rack needs to be. It is actually as low as it can be also. That would be the highest point on the rack minus the thickness of the cross bars plus what I feel is a minimum space to the roof.
I'm in no way intending to "bash" on the design. Just trying to understand the details. It looks tall to me and you mentioned earlier in here that it stood 2.5" above the top of the roof ridges. If there is no intention to use the bottom of the roof as storage, it seems high to me. I have a FRO rack on one of my 100 series rigs and as I build my second one, I'm considering other options and trying to understand the different options out there.
- Thread starter
- #114
All good, I like the question. No bashing taken. It is a little less than 2.5" on the rails but the cross bars sit below the side rails about 1/16" for a tiny bit of catch side to side. The cross bars are an inch thick and it leaves just over an inch of clearance to the top of the roof.
I would think an option for a table underneath would be cool and it might happen for the rack as soon as I can give it some development time.
The order I have on the plate right now is-
Finish the fj40 rack design (nearly done)
Finish the fj55 rack design (nearly done)
Finalize the rear roller kit for the hole on
the back of the rack for canoe/kayak loading (nearly done)
GX470 roof rack (very close)
200 series roof rack (need a template)
5th gen 4runner roof rack (in garage, brainstorm on proper mount has finally hit me)
More, more, more.
I so wish this was my only job but unfortunately it isn't and I'd go broke on development cost if it was.
. Still, I love it and it will press on.
Ok, it sounds like I misunderstood an earlier post. The 2.5" dimension is from top of roof to top of rack; leaving 1.5" clearance between top of roof and bottom of rack. This sounds like it hugs the roof much tighter than it appears to in the photos.
Does anyone have some more pics of this rack installed on their rig? I've narrowed my choices down to this rack or a Rhino Rack. So just wanting more info on how this one looks as well as try to understand how things attach. Thanks
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Wow. That was fast. Thank you. You happy with the rack? Is it easy to attach things like a shovel or axe? RTT, maxtrax? What about random miscellaneous loads like suitcases or coolers? Lumber, ladder? Sorry to be annoying.
- Thread starter
- #119
Awesome. Thank you for the pics.
- Thread starter
- #120
The racks lend themselves to diy stuff for sure once you are savvy with 10 series extrusions. That said, I am finally getting it together to get accessories and pricing on my website.
Items include:
-Awning brackets
-RTT brackets (an easy diy as well)
-Maxtrax brackets
-Tie down brackets
-Rear roller kit for canoe/kayak loading
-High lift brackets
And more.
Also, check out "Quick Fist" tie downs. They go on easily and help hd down lighter items.
I hope to update with pictures in the next couple of days.
Thanks
Items include:
-Awning brackets
-RTT brackets (an easy diy as well)
-Maxtrax brackets
-Tie down brackets
-Rear roller kit for canoe/kayak loading
-High lift brackets
And more.
Also, check out "Quick Fist" tie downs. They go on easily and help hd down lighter items.
I hope to update with pictures in the next couple of days.
Thanks
