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Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:17 pm

Partially painted it today with a bed liner paint. This rack is so strong, I bet I could place a BBQ, couple of chairs and hang out at a show all day....LOL

Here is the finished product with spare mounted and locked down.
3 coats of bed liner spray!

Sun Apr 03, 2011 7:03 pm

Just mounted Yakima gear on the roof this afternoon and wanted to post some photos for those of you considering the tracks rather than raingutter mounts. I had a similar setup on a pickup camper and like the idea of being able to change the position of the bars for sea kayaks, baskets, etc. I also like the idea of using the tracks to mount a solar panel, as WhynotVW has done.

Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:10 pm

epaddler wrote: Just mounted Yakima gear on the roof this afternoon and wanted to post some photos for those of you considering the tracks rather than raingutter mounts. I had a similar setup on a pickup camper and like the idea of being able to change the position of the bars for sea kayaks, baskets, etc. I also like the idea of using the tracks to mount a solar panel, as WhynotVW has done.

This is a nice setup. If you Want to save a few dollars you can accomplish the same thing by going to your local pick and pull and finding a 4 runner and taking the slider racks off it then adding the Yakima Control tower to match. The track I picked up were $12 for two full tracks at the Dallas Pick and Pull. I already had the Yakima stuff from my previous 4 runner. Seems to work out pretty well.

Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:17 pm

epaddler wrote: Just mounted Yakima gear on the roof this afternoon and wanted to post some photos for those of you considering the tracks rather than raingutter mounts. I had a similar setup on a pickup camper and like the idea of being able to change the position of the bars for sea kayaks, baskets, etc. I also like the idea of using the tracks to mount a solar panel, as WhynotVW has done.

This is the way to go in my opinion. I am going out now to study my fiberglass top because I swear I was not able to mount the tracks like you did, which is why I mount the pads instead. Great job. Modular versatility Yo!

Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:33 pm

ddye wrote: epaddler wrote: Just mounted Yakima gear on the roof this afternoon and wanted to post some photos for those of you considering the tracks rather than raingutter mounts. I had a similar setup on a pickup camper and like the idea of being able to change the position of the bars for sea kayaks, baskets, etc. I also like the idea of using the tracks to mount a solar panel, as WhynotVW has done.

This is a nice setup. If you Want to save a few dollars you can accomplish the same thing by going to your local pick and pull and finding a 4 runner and taking the slider racks off it then adding the Yakima Control tower to match. The track I picked up were $12 for two full tracks at the Dallas Pick and Pull. I already had the Yakima stuff from my previous 4 runner. Seems to work out pretty well.

Do you have a picture of that install? Sounds like a great idea.

Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:54 am

epaddler wrote: Just mounted Yakima gear on the roof this afternoon and wanted to post some photos for those of you considering the tracks rather than raingutter mounts. I had a similar setup on a pickup camper and like the idea of being able to change the position of the bars for sea kayaks, baskets, etc. I also like the idea of using the tracks to mount a solar panel, as WhynotVW has done.

Nice.

Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:38 pm

ddye wrote:

This is a nice setup. If you Want to save a few dollars you can accomplish the same thing by going to your local pick and pull and finding a 4 runner and taking the slider racks off it then adding the Yakima Control tower to match. The track I picked up were $12 for two full tracks at the Dallas Pick and Pull. I already had the Yakima stuff from my previous 4 runner. Seems to work out pretty well.

Do you have a picture of that install? Sounds like a great idea.[/quote]

Here you go. I have not added the rear one yet. Planning on taking care of that this week.

Mon May 23, 2011 10:41 am

http://toddfleming.com/vanagonrack.html

Mon May 23, 2011 12:30 pm

ddye wrote: The track I picked up were $12 for two full tracks at the Dallas Pick and Pull.
Where is said Dallas pick and pull? I only know of the one North of Denton on I35.

Mon May 23, 2011 12:54 pm

Original german Bundeswehr roofrack, even a ledder and a spade are on board.

Mon May 23, 2011 1:04 pm

You can't say that the Bundeswehr underbuilds things. :shock:

Mon May 23, 2011 5:29 pm

todds86vanagon wrote: [b]I just got tired of the high prices and needed something more rugged, I can attach all types of accesories to it, and it holds weight. And I came up with a great hold down cleat design. I am able to put it on and take it off by myself - the tower line up perfectly to the gutter - line up the first two and just push as you lift.

I like your design, but doesn't that scratch the heck out of the gutter when you install it?

Mon May 23, 2011 6:33 pm

I made this one last month. Since then I have given it a coat of black low gloss paint. I am still saving for the teak or oak slats.

Tue May 24, 2011 7:40 am

I had a request to post some interior photos of the sliding Yakima tracks I mounted, so here they are. Some may find the black nuts too intrusive, but I wasn't really concerned. I guess the only time you would notice them would be laying on your back. If someone wanted to put the time into it I suppose they could go with smaller nuts and washers, rather than the plastic ones provided, or even paint them to match the cream-colored top. I can tell you after some major rain events that they don't leak.

Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:12 pm

Fastwagons be sure to post a picture when you have the team or oak installed. Great idea wit the old school look. That's something I've been thinking about doing.

Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:42 pm

tsf86vanagon wrote: http://toddfleming.com/vanagonrack.html

I'd throw some Nylocs on those bolts or your likely to loose that thing.

Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:05 pm

Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:09 pm

My hold down bracket design - I must say is freakin Awesome! I can take this on and off alone and it's all steel and not as heavy as you would think. Put a sheet of plywood up there and you have a condo - If you live near Tampa and are interested just let me know.

Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:07 am

Any idea what a roof rack average weight, unloaded, might be? How much total weight would you shoot for on a Syncro tin top? I would like to build my own, but don't want to make it too heavy, or too weak.

Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:05 pm

epaddler wrote: Just mounted Yakima gear on the roof this afternoon and wanted to post some photos for those of you considering the tracks rather than raingutter mounts. I had a similar setup on a pickup camper and like the idea of being able to change the position of the bars for sea kayaks, baskets, etc. I also like the idea of using the tracks to mount a solar panel, as WhynotVW has done.

Can you show us the hardware inside the top?
How many holes did you need to make in the top?
Any issues come up, since install?