Roof rack mount

[Clark White]

I'm trying to figure out how to mount my Safari Basket. I don't want to use the normal roof racks due to cost and height issues. I would really like a near flush mount such as this, but can't figure out how it was done: http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ford/0701dp_2002_ford_f350/photo_07.html
Any Ideas?

 

[njtaco]

I'm trying to figure out how to mount my Safari Basket. I don't want to use the normal roof racks due to cost and height issues. I would really like a near flush mount such as this, but can't figure out how it was done: http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ford/0701dp_2002_ford_f350/photo_07.html
Any Ideas?

I just picked up a set of rails and crossbars from a 1994 Ford Explorer that I installed on my Leer cap. Cost was all of $25 for the rack, and $10 in stainless fasteners and silicone. Maybe find a factory rack you like and check out the salvage yard?

(That's right, a Ford part on my Tacoma...she still has not forgiven me... )

It looks like the rack you posted a pic of is mounted directly to the fiberglass, is that an option?

 

[jbs]

I'm trying to figure out how to mount my Safari Basket. I don't want to use the normal roof racks due to cost and height issues. I would really like a near flush mount such as this, but can't figure out how it was done: http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ford/0701dp_2002_ford_f350/photo_07.html
Any Ideas?

On my 4Runner, I had the same thought. I didn't want the basket sitting high up above the factory rack. So I removed the factory rack and "creatively" attached the basket directly to it using some U-bolts, then bolted it back on. In my case, with the curvature of the roof, going straight from factory side rail to factory side rail was about as low as I was going to get anyway. If that would have still been too big a gap, I would have used some 1"x3/16" steel flat in the rain gutter and bolted it into the factory holes. Then I would have welded some kind of supports to that and the basket. Would have required more work though. I can just fit in the garage with an inch or so to spare, so it was worth the hassle.

I can post some pics if you want, but I'm not sure if they would be useful to you (what kind of vehicle?)
broc

 

[Bella PSD]

To funny! That’s my truck in Diesel Power magazine.

The rack is bolted down with ¼ 20 bolts through the fiberglass at 6 spots. Three on each side. At each of the mounting spots, I have 2 ¼ 20 bolts, for a total of 12 bolts. At the 6 mounting spots I also have a 4”x6” piece of aluminum to help distribute the weight and fender washers inside the cap.

It works better when you mount to the curve of the cap as it starts to go down on the sides.

The rack is fairly low to the cap, about 1” gap in the center of the truck. On my old truck it was almost touching with the same mounting set up!

Louie

I'm trying to figure out how to mount my Safari Basket. I don't want to use the normal roof racks due to cost and height issues. I would really like a near flush mount such as this, but can't figure out how it was done: http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ford/0701dp_2002_ford_f350/photo_07.html
Any Ideas?

 

[BCJC]

how much would you estimate your rack w/ spare etc. to wiegh? and if any damage to the canopy has occurred. cheers

 

[Clark White]

I can post some pics if you want, but I'm not sure if they would be useful to you (what kind of vehicle?)
broc

I would love some pics! It's going on the camper shell of a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. My rack is 88", which puts it over the cab, but I think if I do it right it will be strong enough, not planning on putting a lot of weight up there.

 

[Clark White]

To funny! That’s my truck in Diesel Power magazine.

The rack is bolted down with ¼ 20 bolts through the fiberglass at 6 spots. Three on each side. At each of the mounting spots, I have 2 ¼ 20 bolts, for a total of 12 bolts. At the 6 mounting spots I also have a 4”x6” piece of aluminum to help distribute the weight and fender washers inside the cap.

It works better when you mount to the curve of the cap as it starts to go down on the sides.

The rack is fairly low to the cap, about 1” gap in the center of the truck. On my old truck it was almost touching with the same mounting set up!

Louie

HAHA! Thats great! Small world eh? I found those pic's just doing a google search for custom rack mounts. What are the chances I could get some pics of the mounts them selves?

 

[jbs]

I would love some pics! It's going on the camper shell of a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. My rack is 88", which puts it over the cab, but I think if I do it right it will be strong enough, not planning on putting a lot of weight up there.

Sorry for the delay. Weather has been pretty bad here. These probably won't help much for a camper shell install since I used the factory rack on my 4Runner to mount my Yakima Mega Warrior, but the idea is the same- mounted close to the roof.
View from driver/rear. Rack site flush with side rails of factory rack:

View from driver/front.

View from driver side.

View from driver/rear/above. Stock cross bars come up through Yakima MegaWarrior floor. Connected with stainless U-bolts.