Low Profile Roof Rack Options?

[BTUMAN]

Hmm. I didn't see anything like that on the web site. They do call the current one "Slim-line II." Could it be that you have whatever came before that? Like... "Fatty Line I"?

I guess it might be "slim" compared with baja racks that have railing, etc.

Yes, mine was definitely lower. I'm not sure if they changed the design or if they still offer the lower profile one. I love mine and I can get in any garage even with OME lift. Mine came with two rails and then slim riser feet. I think Willys is a one PC design. Rail is the riser also.

It is worth calling them to be sure.

 

[dmc]

I've been very happy with the Prinsu rack. I've had lots of racks over the years. Front runner, ARB, Con-ferr (i'm old), Mule. The thing I love about the Prinsu is the removable cross bars. I like my sunroof too much to have it completely blocked. With the front two bars removed I have full access to my sunroof and it's surprisingly quiet. Accessories may be a concern but there are enough attachment options you can make things work. Installing my tent and cargo box was simple and quick. See the pic. Right now I have my maxtrax and a shovel mounted up there. Using a quick fist for the shovel and some bolts with wingnuts and washers for the maxtrax.

 

[highrisk]

I like my frontrunner. It has to be high enough in the back to clear the Sat antenna.

 

[Markuson]

I like my frontrunner. It has to be high enough in the back to clear the Sat antenna.

The mounts in your photo don't appear to be what Front Runner offers now. Current mounting pieces see to run the full length of the rack. Can you comment on your mounts? When did you buy them? Was this before the "Slimline II" rack from them?

 

[Willy beamin]

yes - that's the same set up that BTUMAN is running - this is the system prior to the slimline 2

 

[highrisk]

My rack is the slimline II. They offered 2 sets of feet for it at the time. One was taller to allow the table to mounted under the bottom. Mine just barely clears the Sat antennae.

 

[Markuson]

My rack is the slimline II. They offered 2 sets of feet for it at the time. One was taller to allow the table to mounted under the bottom. Mine just barely clears the Sat antennae.

If I could get those lower mounts, that would settle it for me...but they don't seem to offer them any more.

Maybe someone has some older stock...? If so...I'd likely order the mounts now...even if I wait on the rack....so it could eventually be mounted low like that.

 

[Willy beamin]

Call front runner and check if you haven't already. They may surprise you

 

[highrisk]

I was looking at the site this morning and the rails are 63mm and the rack is 50mm for a total of 113mm. Google tells me this 4.44 inches. Mine is in the shop right now but I don' think that is any taller than my rack.

I do agree with Willy though, give frontrunner a call and I'm sure they'll help you out.

 

[kevinfoutch]

Got my Gobi Stealth installed yesterday, and while not the OP's lowest profile option, wanted to share some measurements re: height.

Accounting for the front lip of the rack, 7.5 inches to the glass of the sunroof.

Ignoring the lip, top of the rail to edge of roof is 5.5 inches.

For my 2011 LC with 2" OME lift, 285 65r18 (33") tires, the total height is 81 inches.

I'm lucky enough to have 8' garage doors at home so no issue there, but the emergency release cord of the opener does drag across the rack when I pull into my parking spot. I'll be zip tying that up to avoid any accidental release.

Sent from my SM-G920V

 

[Markuson]

I was looking at the site this morning and the rails are 63mm and the rack is 50mm for a total of 113mm. Google tells me this 4.44 inches. Mine is in the shop right now but I don' think that is any taller than my rack.

I do agree with Willy though, give frontrunner a call and I'm sure they'll help you out.

Ya...I think your measurement makes sense. I got the 6 inch measurement from the rack dimensions they list on their site...BUT...that is likely the height when sitting on the ground (over-all height)...and that would not take into account the curvature of the roof line...and other factors that might make it less than 6 once it's mounted on the vehicle.

But anyway... Hoping to find something about the same height as the factory rack. Going to try calling again.

 

[JADANT]

I just put a order in for the Gamiviti Expo ++. I plan to moun it expo bars down giving it a lower profile with the sunroof cutout and a mountable grid for the sunroof opening if I need to cover it for extra cargo. Still haven't made my final decision on if I go drop basket, half grid, full grid, or combination. Tim has been very patient with me as I figure out the options I want and answers all my questions. The other one I liked was the Gobi.

 

[linuxgod]

@JADANT - If you plan to mount stuff on the roof, go full grid for the tie down points. If you are going to permanently mount an RTT or plan on cleaning your roof regularly, skip the grid because it makes it much tougher to get your hands under the bars.

@Markuson - I dig my Gamiviti and it's within an inch of the stock rack height. Plus, half the fun of owning the LC is trying to figure out to how to customize it, so mounting stuff to a non-standard rack is the perfect challenge

I'm using the bars for my kayak racks and 600# lashing straps around the grid for the Treds. I could easily strap a jerry can in front, behind, or on either side of the Treds. Plenty of places to bolt a hi-lift, awning, shovel, etc to the bars too.

 

[DeckerT4R]

@JADANT - If you plan to mount stuff on the roof, go full grid for the tie down points. If you are going to permanently mount an RTT or plan on cleaning your roof regularly, skip the grid because it makes it much tougher to get your hands under the bars.

@Markuson - I dig my Gamiviti and it's within an inch of the stock rack height. Plus, half the fun of owning the LC is trying to figure out to how to customize it, so mounting stuff to a non-standard rack is the perfect challenge

I'm using the bars for my kayak racks and 600# lashing straps around the grid for the Treds. I could easily strap a jerry can in front, behind, or on either side of the Treds. Plenty of places to bolt a hi-lift, awning, shovel, etc to the bars too.

View attachment 1474526

Just want to say thanks for taking pics of your rack. I sent this to gamiviti for what I wanted. We're pretty much rack twins now. Ha

 

[wtmtnterror]

@linuxgod Who makes the kayak rack? Are they transported on their sides?

 

[Markuson]

@linuxgod Who makes the kayak rack? Are they transported on their sides?

I zoomed in and see packemracks.com printed on the side of one of the kayak mounts...then typed "kayak" into their search field and got this:

(Click "Search")

Search

Quite a few choices.

 

[linuxgod]

@linuxgod Who makes the kayak rack? Are they transported on their sides?

I got them off ebay. 2 Sets Satin Black Roof Mounted Folding Kayak J-Style Racks PK-KR FOLD BLACK2 | eBay

I went with the folding ones because they only stick up 5" when folded, instead of 15" when open. When they're folded I can still fit in a <7' garage. They're kind of a PITA to install (you need to get a wrench underneath) so if you don't use them regularly and would normally remove them there are some non-folding ones with plastic handles for the bolts which go on and off easier. We use ours frequently enough I leave them on for the summer.

The kayaks mount at an angle on their side. You can choose to mount with the bottom facing in or out. I point the bottoms out like so because I believe there's less slightly less drag and wind noise. I tie the safety ropes to the roof rack

 

[jetstream23]

Just want to say thanks for taking pics of your rack. I sent this to gamiviti for what I wanted. We're pretty much rack twins now. Ha

Do you know the exact height of the Gamiviti rack? I didn't see it on their website. I'm going to replace the stock rack on my 2009 LC but I really can't go with a rack that is more than maybe an inch higher or I may not be able to get the LC into the garage anymore with my suspension.

The pictures above make it seem very close to the stock rack height (as long as you don't have an upward facing Expo bar) but I need to be sure. Thanks.

 

[linuxgod]

Do you know the exact height of the Gamiviti rack? I didn't see it on their website. I'm going to replace the stock rack on my 2009 LC but I really can't go with a rack that is more than maybe an inch higher or I may not be able to get the LC into the garage anymore with my suspension.

The pictures above make it seem very close to the stock rack height (as long as you don't have an upward facing Expo bar) but I need to be sure. Thanks.

PM @nakman. I can measure tonight if you'd like, but short answer is with my setup it's maybe 1" taller, tops. Yes it's very close to the stock rack height. The feet are also adjustable, and I think I have mine on the second-lowest setting, but if you played with the positioning (slightly forward) it could probably drop another 1/3-1/2". Here's a photo from when I first installed it. Notice that the grid is just *barely* above the antenna. I can't recall but I believe the bars are 3/4" steel.

 

[jetstream23]

PM @nakman. I can measure tonight if you'd like, but short answer is with my setup it's maybe 1" taller, tops. Yes it's very close to the stock rack height. The feet are also adjustable, and I think I have mine on the second-lowest setting, but if you played with the positioning (slightly forward) it could probably drop another 1/3-1/2". Here's a photo from when I first installed it. Notice that the grid is just *barely* above the antenna. I can't recall but I believe the bars are 3/4" steel.

Great. Thanks! No need to measure.