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Post by Zaphod on Nov 25, 2003 11:58:27 GMT -5
Okay, here we go...
I'm a newbie looking for a roof rack/basket to carry cargo in.
Requirements:
1) 45" x 60" max size for a basket/box
2) System should allow me to install a basket, a closed cargo carrier, or just rack beams, depending on needs.
3) I want to install some overhead lights, and don't much fancy the idea of removing the lights along with the basket/box every time I change configuration.
4) The system needs to be strong. At least 250 pounds of cargo weight. The stronger the better.
5) Should not be so high as to present a top-heavyness problem.
6) Finally, it needs to look decent. No overhanging bars and minimal ugly wleds, bolts, etc. Only acceptable colors are black (no problem) and white (assuming that even exists).
I'm familiar with Yakima, Surco, and Thule (though their site is currently down), but am not familiar with their repective quality, pros, and cons.
All help will be greatly appreciated, along with pics and links!
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Post by BuckHunt on Nov 25, 2003 19:32:14 GMT -5
www.everythingsuv.com/surco_safari_roof_racks-esuv.aspcheck the bottom of that page for the isuzu trooper application. That is the cheapest mounting system i've ever seen... i dont claim to know how it works since it doesn't show a pic with it, but apparently it works with the surco. I've said my piece about my experience of the sturdiness of yakima stuff, my life expectancy prohibits me from doing that again though.
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Post by Zaphod on Nov 25, 2003 19:53:54 GMT -5
Wait. I'm confused... In your post in the other thread, were you describing Yakima as the super-duper strong model, or the one that got all bent up? I'm willing to pay for quality, but I don't know enough about the three brands I mentioned to compare prices. ...or did I completely miss the point of your post?
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Post by BuckHunt on Nov 25, 2003 23:48:19 GMT -5
the mounting system i provided a link with... I dont know anything about it... I'm assuming though that for 39 bucks its the type of towers that will attach to the points under your weather strip. if you wanna know more about that, go to www.isuzu-suvs.com and check out the section about how-to upgrades, there is something on there about an overlander roof rack system and how to install it (there are pre drilled holes under your weather strips). WHat i described in that humongous post.... the durable thing was the yakima rack system. Its drawbacks - only things i dont like about it - are that its pricey (A thule rack system should be same in price, biggest difference i've noted is yakima crossbars are round, thule are square) and that it only allows a frontwards mount. I actually like that part, my rack being towards teh front, something abiout a completely rearward basket that I am not crazy about. If i had my way i'd get a full roof length basket, bad thing is the rear 3 feet or so would have no support from a yakima or thule system. if you want a rear mounted or full length roof basket your gonna probably want some support in the rear. Dont get me wrong, i think my setup would support a full length basket, it just would look weird, actually the only thing i would worry about would be the cheap u-bolts I have attaching the basket to the crossbars. i'll be back in a minute, i thought of another place to look for basket mounts (as opposed to a 200-300 dollar thule/yakima system) to be continued ;D
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Post by BuckHunt on Nov 25, 2003 23:50:29 GMT -5
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Post by BuckHunt on Nov 25, 2003 23:58:35 GMT -5
www.independent4x.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=839915|1135356&PRID=1001510okay, 1st link, is a rack for 2nd gen troops off the indy4x site. It mentions the mounts and you could call matt or email him and ask him if he could get you a pair of just the mounts. (he is SUPER friendly and helpful, he has more than once called me long distance on his dime and explained things to me). Bottom line, he rules as far as helping you with stuff and is my fav. vendor. ships really fast too. anyways, the are probably similar or same type mounts on the urbanjunglesuv page, they can be found elsewhere also. anyways, you can look at those mounts and get an idea, it looks like they are just mounts that would attach to the bars of a safari basket, foregoing the need for crossbars and stuff. The 2nd link is a full size rack on a 1st gen trooper, just to get an idea of how sweet a full size rack looks =) . If your trying to go about things in a cost effective way, I would suggest learning a bit more about those mounts, b/c i am not the most knowledgable about them. The rack on there for the 2nd gen, yeah it looks good, but the price (like most commercially made racks) is high. I can hook you up with guys info who made mine... was 219 dollars for all steel, 60"x36"x6". 60 shipped on greyhound. cant beat 280 for a high quality hand made rack. dude can make any size as well, price is adjusted likewise. anyways, hope i'm of some help to ya. PS I saw the grand cherokee on campus today i was saying had lights mounted on yakima crossbars - the lights are just bolted onto a silver colored clamp that goes around the crossbars.
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Post by Zaphod on Nov 26, 2003 10:15:07 GMT -5
The 2nd link is a full size rack on a 1st gen trooper, just to get an idea of how sweet a full size rack looks =) . I prefer the 1/2 size rack, and I'll admit it's strictly for aesthetic reasons. If you could do that I'd be most appreciative. If a custom-made rack can be gotten for less money while getting better quality and exactly what one wants, then I'm all for it. Very much so. Thanks!
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Post by BuckHunt on Nov 30, 2003 2:34:11 GMT -5
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