Roof Rack Input

[fj4julian]

Went to the ORBA show in San Digo last week and met Sergio Murillo of BAJARACK Adventure equipment. His company makes roof racks & light bars for existing racks on vehicles. After looking at his products (which are made just south of SD in the town of Ensenada Mex.) I was impressed on how well they were constructed and how they looked. They come with a factory wind deflector and a cargo net. The main reason for my post is after we spoke of the FJ and it's factory rack, he said that they're going to build one specifically for the FJ and it's factory mounting holes. He asked me how I would like to see the rack made and how itshould it be constructed. Should it come with tool or high lift mounts already welded on? Light tabs? Hope you guys can post some great input for me to give him. He stated that the rack will sell for less than $500. Please post. His web site is :: Baja Rack ::
I'm not selling just looking for input. Thanks Cris

[CADavebert]

Wow. That sounds awesome.

I think it all sounds great as you've described. I'd suggest 4 mounts for lights on the front, and maybe two for the rear (or some way to easily mount some back there).

The airdam sounds good. Replacing the OEM rack and using existing holes sounds good.

I don't know about the shovel/jack etc. mounts. Everyone seems to have some special place to put theirs, and if it's welded on, it's less flexible. If there was a way to have some method that provided those mounts, but a way to move them around, that would be better, IMO. IE - welded rings like the FourTreks, with holes, in several places.

[fj4julian]

At the show they had a great High lift mount w/ lock feature that clamped to their rack. I agree that the light mounts are a plus and tabs for back up and maybe the side would be great. Thanks for the reply.

[Toledo FJ]

I think the Hi-lift mounts and tool mounts are a great Idea. Maybe they could just be a bolt on option for those who want it. I'd also really like to see a NICE jerry can mount that is meant to go on the rack. Most of use just jimmyrig something that works. It should have a bolt on full mesh bottom as an option. I would want the option of running up to six lights up front and four in the rear. A rear ladder that mates to the rack would be cool too.

[fj4julian]

toledofj, would you make the jerry can rack for the regular steel 5g cans or for the lower profile plastic ones? Thanks for the reply

[SwiCago]

If you want to make a killer rack that is one of a kind, make it so the sides and rear portion of the cage can flip down.
Why?!? So I can have a roof top tent on there, but yet when I don't want the tent along, still have a fully caged rack.
There is only one rack that does this and it is the Inti from Venezuela. ARB makes a roof top rack, but it has no rear cage which IMO is useless if you don't want to bring the tent.

just my 0.03 (inflation)

[Biatch76]

I absolutely love my ARB roof rack. It is a sturdy beast and I've slept up on it many times. It also has a hi jack mount and shovel mount. I'm sold on it.

[Toledo FJ]

I use the metal BLITZ jerry cans. I think they make some plastic ones that are the same size. I have mine lying down on their side so the profile is low. However I think it would be better to use the lower profile plastic cans if you design a holder for them on the rack. There is just a lower chance of spills and leaks if the cans are sitting upright and the metal cans I have are just too tall to stand up.

[fj4julian]

Thanks all for your replies. I have relayed the suggestions to Baja Rack and we should se a FJ specific rack in about two months. The owner likes the FJ's so much he just went out and bought one! Please continue your suggestions....Cris

[TiFJ]

I would suggest making one that fits inside the frame of the stock rack so that those people with stock racks can add a basket that looks like it belongs.

I really like the look of that Mule rack.