FJ40 Roof Cross Bars vs. Roof Rack

[Will Van]

Hey guys! My girlfriend really wants to take Christmas photos with the FJ40. Obviously I'm happy to oblige any interest in the Cruiser. She would like to cut down a Christmas tree and put it on top of the 40 for the photoshoot.

I don't really want to spend an arm-and-a-leg on a roof rack right now (although @dogfishlake's 40 series rack is pretty badass). I'd prefer to just get some simple crossbars for the roof. But everything I search is an all-out roof basket. Does anyone have a source for some simple crossbars? Will any "rain gutter" style clamps work? Any specs, part numbers, or dimensions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Will Van]

After doing a bit more research, it appears that Yakima offers a solution. Has anyone ever used this?

 

[jim land]

Cross bars do the job for ladder, lumber or tree, you can always put a basket over if need .
I build my own gutter clamps and wood cross bars, test it to 300lb no problem .

I think @65swb45 sell some nice one , you should be good with two bars

 

[Will Van]

@65swb45

Thanks!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I had some stuff fabbed up to use with gutter clamps, I can mount my roof rack on it or leave it with the beams by themselves.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Rattle canned them black.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Might be the only shot I have without the rack on top.

Sorry for the crappy scenery.

 

[JeffD]

You need the Yakima 1A towers and crossbars. Available in a few widths. Look on Craigslist, or get a new set at REI.

These are pretty close to you, in San Antonio. You can cut the crossbars down if they are too wide for your application.

Yakima

Yakima a1 gutters tower and two 78 inch bars..any question call or text Marvin at 210 852731one

sanantonio.craigslist.org

 

[cruiserboy14]

@JeffD that's a pretty cruiser.

 

[dogfishlake]

I'm on it. I want to see that Christmas tree picture on a Bowfin 40 rack!

 

[subzali]

Thule gutter mount towers also work fine if you want the square load bar versus the round load bar. 300 or 387 I think.

 

[rmckay1021]

Might be the only shot I have without the rack on top.

Sorry for the crappy scenery.
View attachment 2132523

Did you do any fishing???

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Did you do any fishing???

That was from a trip during the summer, yeah you could say I caught a few, that's a 5 weight rod in this pic.

 

[Yellowknifer]

These are Yakima as well.

 

[bikersmurf]

I’m using Thule towers and bars. The 6.5” I’m using barely clear the roof where I’ve got them mounted. I’m good with that... but they may scratch your roof when loaded.

 

[MexicanNewby]

Reviving this thread with a few questions, perhaps someone can help me:

1.- Are the Yakima 1 A Towers tall enough for the bar to go over without scratching? Also, what's their weight limit?

2.- What's the minimum length of the bars?

Asking because there's a set that is dirt cheap around me here in NJ.

Cheers!

J

 

[Malleus]

Any bars' weight limit will exceed the weight limit of the gutters. I don't know about the Yakima specifically, but the Thule will. I think both those guys buy each others' stuff when they design theirs, so it should be close to the same.

If you're getting a deal, buy them. Someone always wants these things. You'll be able to turn them if they don't work for you.

 

[MexicanNewby]

Thanks!

What's the minimum width for the bars?

 

[DuckBone]

Reviving this thread with a few questions, perhaps someone can help me:

1.- Are the Yakima 1 A Towers tall enough for the bar to go over without scratching? Also, what's their weight limit?

2.- What's the minimum length of the bars?

Asking because there's a set that is dirt cheap around me here in NJ.

Cheers!

J

I’m running this Yakima setup and it works pretty well.

1. The 1A towers will barely clear the roof, but you won’t be able to fit anything under the bar. If you only want to load things on top (wood, canoe, etc) and tie down on the sides it’ll work. Any sort of accessory that needs to clamp under the bars won’t work without the ‘high rise’ tower extensions.

2. I had to buy the 66” bars, if I recall correctly the actual min distance is 60-62” so Yakima’s 58” bar won’t work.

This picture is pre-high rise extension. The back tower is the problem.