I concur with 2000's comments...
***Thank you for your comments and advice. The next rack would definitely be cheaper to build and there really weren't any issues with this one other than the front being shorter than originally designed, which meant the basket couldn't be built and used.
***Yes, a rack should hold stuff securely. That was the first thing I wanted in the rack. I wanted to fill it with wood, gear, tires if necessary and have it hold those securely. There are plenty of platform racks on the market already. I didn't want another place for an air mattress
***It does not cover the sunroof. The grab bar section should be at least 6" longer (7' overall length) and would accommodate the removable basket section. In an earlier thread, I talked about the fabrication problem that lead to the rack being shorter.
***I'd like to think that it is more than just a flat piece of metal. It is sculpted around the upper and lower side rails and has nice bends in between the upper and lower rails so air will flow around it easier.
***If I ever get my rig back from the gear shop, then I will install this thing and finish it up. Thanks again for your input.
Good point about the tire. That's a great benchmark. Having the ability to throw a tire on the roof is certainly a requirement and is a good selling point. We're on the same page about 'rails.' It just makes it easier to secure things, end of discussion. Most of the stuff I would want to throw on are water/fuel cans and soft storage, but as you mentioned, the benchmark is something heavier.
I like the curved front side bars meeting together on the mount, but I'm jonesing to cover my sunroof, obviously!
I look forward to seeing how it develops!
CBR (Cruiser Built Rack) Prototype Upfit and Install
- Thread starter LCAdvocate
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #22
Thanks.
Rig is in the shop. I had hoped to have it back this weekend, but now it looks like Wednesday or Thursday. If that is the case, then I will get it mounted by the end of the weekend.
- Thread starter
- #23
Rack installed
Finally got the rig back and installed the rack. It took about 30 minutes to install the rack and most of that time was from applying sealant to the Kydex pads. Here are a few pictures from my phone. I will post more later.
Finally got the rig back and installed the rack. It took about 30 minutes to install the rack and most of that time was from applying sealant to the Kydex pads. Here are a few pictures from my phone. I will post more later.
Looks awesome!
I really like this, and I'm pretty picky about my racks. 
- Thread starter
- #27
Low, so the design features worked really well. With the 40" light removed, I bet it would be hardly noticeable.
I would mount the bar on the front part of the rack as low as I can get it, even though I get your design has a distinct purpose and uick release. I just think the bar would look best on the front end of the rack with some specially built mounts right on the corners, which can be made for an even quicker release and lower profile.
Like others, I like it...alot. I've been unable to pull the trigger on a rack because there is nothing that is exactly what I want. Two questions......without lights, what is the height from the top of the roof (for garage entry purposes) and 2) any option for attaching Thule or Yakima accessories - assuming that would require two added crossbars.
- Thread starter
- #30
That's an idea. I think it would interfere with the removable basket unless someone didn't want that option and some light transmission might be lost being that close to the roof.
I had the same problem, which is why I built the rack. The height above the roof is approximately 9" at the front, around 7" in the middle. The roof on the LC is a compound convex shape so the height depends on the location. The center of the rack only clears the roof by about 3/4", so it really can't go any lower. It was set up that way to allow for any deflection from heavy basket loads, which will probably never happen anyway due to the construction.
There should be some options out there for mounting Yakima accessories to larger diameter tubing - Fourtreks, Axia, or Allprooffroad.
- Thread starter
- #31
Headliner out to complete wiring
Dropped the headliner yesterday to finish running the wiring and drill the roof penetration. Decided to clean out the sunroof track, flush the drain lines, and tighten every nut, bolt and screw while in there.
Dropped the headliner yesterday to finish running the wiring and drill the roof penetration. Decided to clean out the sunroof track, flush the drain lines, and tighten every nut, bolt and screw while in there.
This roof rack is by far my favorite of any that I have seen made for the LC. Sleek design, seems fairly practical too. Does this rack affect sunroof functionality? Also, I thought of this the first time I saw the rack, although I'm not sure whether or not it's feasible: make some sort of mechanism to drop the light bar below the wind faring when you don't need the additional light, thus reducing wind resistance and excess wind noise. Again, I don't know what would have to go into it, but it's just an initial idea I thought of, so like some sort of locking slide that allows the bar to go up and down with relative ease (obviously not automated, this would be done by hand). Definitely let me know if this is possible cause I think it could add to this already interesting design. Just my two cents! Great work so far.
- Thread starter
- #33
Thanks for the positive feedback. It does not affect the sunroof operation at all. Even with the basket in the front section, there is supposed to be a removable basket in the front above the sunroof, the sunroof should still function normally. The wind is channeled between the fairing and the light, so it doesn't catch much wind or make much noise. As set up now, the light can easily be removed when not in use. A sliding mechanism would be nice. I will work on that idea when I complete the basket or figure out some sort of fold away mechanism that will allow the light to fold down behind the fairing.
Boy, this looks great. Wish this was in production, as I'm in the market for a rack myself. May just have to wait around
- Thread starter
- #35
Thank you. Hopefully, production is the next step. I have spoken with a few companies and I am searching for more that can produce the rack more efficiently and in numbers.
If anyone knows of a company that can handle this, please let me know.
Give Kirk a call at American Engineering and Metalworking in Canton, OH. He is a MUDDER and might be able to assist or find someone in his network of friends.
http://www.aemquality.com/index.php
Nice product. Good luck.
- Thread starter
- #37
Will do. Thanks for the information.