Gamiviti Roof Rack for FJ40

[rkymtnflyfisher]

So what is the ultimate plan for the rack? Putting at rooftop tent up there or something? Or just for extra space to store gear?

 

[AutaviaFJ40]

So what is the ultimate plan for the rack? Putting at rooftop tent up there or something? Or just for extra space to store gear?

Im putting solar panels on the back to charge a Goal Zero 1400 Lithium that I keep in the back to power my video gear and for camping. I need to figure out the best way to mount them...I played with it today, but thinking about mounting them under the rack and forgoing a tilt bracket...still undecided.
I also eventually want to add a 3 sided "batwing" style awning like this:

Ostrich Wing Awning - Any Experience?

There are a few competitors, alucab just came onto the scene with their shadow, OKoffroad is the distributor. equipt1 has the bat and the manta. The latter i picked up and have been very pleased.

forum.ih8mud.com

But that's not happening anytime soon. The main use for now is extra storage. I have Front Runner boxes that fit nicely. I also plan on using it as a camera platform for shooting.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Im putting solar panels on the back to charge a Goal Zero 1400 Lithium that I keep in the back to power my video gear and for camping. I need to figure out the best way to mount them...I played with it today, but thinking about mounting them under the rack and forgoing a tilt bracket...still undecided.
I also eventually want to add a 3 sided awning like this:

Awnings | Bundutec

bundutec.com.au

But that's not happening anytime soon. The main use for now is extra storage. I have Front Runner boxes that fit nicely. I also plan on using it as a camera platform for shooting.

Sounds pretty sweet, looks pretty sweet also!

 

[nakman]

Holy cow man, your pictures are just awesome! And I am so happy that you are pleased with the final product, thank you again for pushing me in this direction, it's been a long time coming. I have some thoughts on a gen2 rack for the 40, but until then at least we've got a solid solution here to work with. As mentioned in emails I already designed a 2-stage extension plate, so will get another position option that is 1" lower than where you have it... as soon as those are in stock you're getting a set.

@John in Utah your pictures are beautiful also, and fine by me to post away that is what is all about. but super cool of you for allowing @AutaviaFJ40 here firsties on the photos, since he technically got rack #1 for the record. Really appreciate it guys, and I really need to spend more time in the 40 section.

And here are some pics of how I have installed solar panels, just using some simple 1" pipe clamps. Apologies to the group for the non-40 content..

 

[AutaviaFJ40]

And here are some pics of how I have installed solar panels, just using some simple 1" pipe clamps.

Thanks very helpful. My panels are wider than 24" though so they dont fit perfectly between the rails like yours. I have two panels, I think I'm going to rig a slide out tray that allows me to tilt them as well. I may just mount them temporarily on top until I can build the sliders. I dont want to drill a hole in the roof though, so first I need to figure out how to route the cable into the back first.

 

[Clifton Bennett]

Ive been bugging the guys at Gamiviti for almost a year now to make a roof rack for the 40...and they finally did it. Mine will be here in early December in a 40% black gloss finish...here are a few of the early sketches and a CAD view I received tonight. Looking forward to getting this installed.

View attachment 1815883

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Are you liking your rack? Do they use your 40 in their ad?
i really like the way is looks!

 

[John in Utah]

Are you liking your rack? Do they use your 40 in their ad?
i really like the way is looks!

I have almost the same rack as @AutaviaFJ40 and have really liked it. I used to run 3 Yakima bars and a basket but it’s hard to get those to clear the top and with the tower extensions it wasn’t very stable. Best part is all my round bar Yakima stuff still fits on the gamiviti rack.

 

[AutaviaFJ40]

Love the rack, the only change I would make is to the upper section. It makes attaching longer items more difficult.

The images of my FJ40 on the website are shots I took...and John took some amazing images of his rack that he also shared with Gamiviti

 

[Clifton Bennett]

Love the rack, the only change I would make is to the upper section. It makes attaching longer items more difficult.

The images of my FJ40 on the website are shots I took...and John took some amazing images of his rack that he also shared with Gamiviti

so the basket area (front), keeps you from adding an awning or portable shower, etc.? I’m wondering if he could build one where the basket doesn’t go all the way across? Maybe 6” on either side?

 

[AutaviaFJ40]

so the basket area (front), keeps you from adding an awning or portable shower, etc.? I’m wondering if he could build one where the basket doesn’t go all the way across? Maybe 6” on either side?

I think an awning or portable shower are fine...I meant picking up lumber, pipes or anything long and transporting across town.

 

[Clifton Bennett]

Thanks

 

[nakman]

I like the feedback. The other way to resolve that is to make the basket go around the back also- better for lumber, kayaks, etc. as the front and back of the rack are at the same plane. here's a pic:

The reason for the 2 heights was to provide more of a basket in front, with a flat rack in back, better for a RTT/camp setup. pic:

Haven't made an all flat rack yet, but would be doable. The roof on the 40 is really wide, so we made these racks really wide to match (about 63" across iirc) which drove the decision to make a double bar across the middle, so it doesn't get squishy. The result is I can stand up there in that basket area with little/no deflection of the rack, which is sitting only about 1" from the roof in the middle.

 

[Clifton Bennett]

I really like the rack with the basket that goes all around. How can I find it? Also, my rig is like new, how will the brackets treat the gutter? Will it rip the paint off or is it more forgiving?

 

[nakman]

I really like the rack with the basket that goes all around. How can I find it? Also, my rig is like new, how will the brackets treat the gutter? Will it rip the paint off or is it more forgiving?

to protect the roof you can make some protective sleeves for the bottoms of the tower bodies to protect the roof out of fuel line, or pvc tubing, or similar. Scroll to the bottom of this page for some images: http://www.gamiviti.com/installation-tips