Roof Rack Ideas???

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boogie74

boogie74

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Threads
29
Messages
434
Location
Benders, OZ.
Hey Mudders....

Here is a (dodgy) impression of my thoughts on a roof rack for a 74.
Thanks to Simon for the BJ Drawing.

BJROOFRACK.jpg


I have searched mud for pictures and info of roof racks but haven't found any that I like. I did find that the general consensus was that mounting the rack off the rear gutter wasn't the best option because it could crack. I thought about welding up a bar that bolts to the bumper and goes over the rear to support the roof rack and using two gutter mounts for the front of the rack.

Anybody successfully installed a roof rack without any negative effects to the FRP top? Any advice or pics would be great.

Cheers,

Gav.:beer:
 
boogie74 said:
Hey Mudders....

Here is a (dodgy) impression of my thoughts on a roof rack for a 74.
Thanks to Simon for the BJ Drawing.

BJROOFRACK.jpg


I have searched mud for pictures and info of roof racks but haven't found any that I like. I did find that the general consensus was that mounting the rack off the rear gutter wasn't the best option because it could crack. I thought about welding up a bar that bolts to the bumper and goes over the rear to support the roof rack and using two gutter mounts for the front of the rack.

Anybody successfully installed a roof rack without any negative effects to the FRP top? Any advice or pics would be great.

Cheers,

Gav.:beer:
Click to expand...

The pic is how it is usually done in oz and the best way I think.
I have seen a few done this way in alloy but never had time to get a pic.

Getting the support bars in the right place will need some thought so as not to block off view of the tail lights, not foul the doors,and not stick out too far.

I saw 2 x 100 series at the dealer with similar roof racks and where the support bars joined the roof rack ,they had 1" rubber spacers to absorb the shock and vibration


The rear gutter mount would be ok for very light loads but its the lack of sideways support that would bother me.

Anything mounted to the FRP is a disaster waiting to happen. If the vibration and shock doesnt elongate the mounting holes,an incident with a low hanging branch or roof will rip it to bits.
FRPs dont come up all that often on the used market
 
I borrowed a full size rack from a friend once to carry extra fuel and camping gear. I found it top heavy and difficult to access gear because of the height of the truck. I ended up buying a M101 trailer and love it.

However, I did put this roof rack together for carrying our canoe. It has worked really well for us.
Truck 014.webp
Truck 015.webp
 
Thanks for the replies Rosco and Urbancarrot,

The rubber blocks on the roof rack frame is a great idea. that would stop metal contact on the FRP top. I will have to make sure the rear doors fully open with rear roof rack bar on too. I was thinking of having them coming up the side as far back as I can get them in line with the back of the cruiser.

Urbancarrot, how much weight can your rack take? How much does that of your canoe weigh?

The idea is to to put a roof top tent on the rack for touring around Australia. The RTTents weigh about 50 kgs and the roof rack might weight about the same. The FRP top can handle 140kgs max when in transit I have been told. I wouldn't be putting anything else up there except maybe some fishing rods.

Sounds like my plan is coming together.

Thanks for the input and I'd be glad to hear other opinion's

Cheers,

Gav.
 
Roof rack

I bought a roof rack from Home Depot that is supposed to be for vans, it fits on the gutters and is rated to carry 600 lbs. There also was athird br available for long vehicles. I can't say it is pretty, but I have carried quite a bit of stuff on it. This is on an LJ78.
 
Thanks for the info Gene,

I think the LJ78 and BJ74 are a bit different tho. Yours has gutters all around the back and sides of the roof, does it not? The BJ74 and other models with the FRP Top only have them above the front and rear doors, not all the way around. This is the problem when trying to install a gutter mount roof rack. The FRP Top and gutters also have issues with strength. I think the gutters are pop riveted into place.

Anyone with ideas, pictures or who has built a rock solid roof rack for an FRP Top? I'd love to know how you did it.

Cheers,

Gav.
 
Hi Boogie,


I agree if you intend to carry any serious weight a bar to the chassis would be the best option. If you also added a bar behind the front doors to the chassis you would have a great external roll bar. This would join much like sliders do. The rear bar also be best to attach the same. This would preferable to attaching to the body panels as shown in the links above.
 
Last edited:
In this picture it shows much better than I could explain.
depending on size of the rack the bar in front of the door may not be required, one bar behind the door and one behind the rear quarter panel vent. continue the bar across the roof and down the other side, as previously mention attach to sliders or directly to the chassis
roll%20cage[1].webp
 
NTFJ45 said:
Hi Boogie,


I agree if you intend to carry any serious weight a bar to the chassis would be the best option. If you also added a bar behind the front doors to the chassis you would have a great external roll bar. This would join much like sliders do. The rear bar also be best to attach the same. This would preferable to attaching to the body panels as shown in the links above.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the aftermarket FRP tops sold in oz for Hilux,Triton,Rodeo etc,and when they add a roof rack,they fit an internal or external frame to take the load.
NoNE of them bolt a roof rack direct to the FRP,I guess they must know something;)
 
i find cruisers pic from all over the net google,carsales,ebay,mud,etc so someone might know who's they are
They look sames as the ones in urbancarrots link more pics the merrier .Are they a OEM thing?
gw-100.webp
LC70widefender6.webp
 
Thanks Clint,

I have decided that the best option for me is to build an exo roof rack. It will bolt to the very rear and just behind the front doors of the chassis and come up the side of the vehicle. The roof rack will start from behind the front doors and go to the rear of the car. This will allow me to remove the rack when I'm not camping/touring. Also just had the bright idea that it could be removed at base camp with the tent on it to go 4wdriving without the added weight and packing up camp.

The roof rack only has to be 1400mm square so I should have plenty of space, end extra left over, to mount the RTTent and awnings. I'm looking at this style of tent for touring. Its a good package!!!
NEW ROOF TOP TRAILER TENT CAMPING ROOFTOP 4WD TENT - eBay Other Tents, Tarps, Swags, Tents, Tarps, Swags, Camping, Hiking, Sport. (end time 19-Jun-09 21:58:34 AEST)

Cheers,

Gav.
 
There shouldnt really be a problem with the rear bars being to wide either they dont seem to be any wider than the mirrors
 
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