those look pretty cool with the low profile and all. thanks for the write-up and pics! the profile is a concern for me as i am shopping for new rack attachments right now. i've looked at the thule mounts, but none seemed as low profile as these. i might have to pick these up.

also, i hadn't thought about the front attachment going on one of the removable rack bars and how easy it might be to steal. of course, if they really wanted to steal the rear one too they'd think of a way how, but i'm wondering if there is any other way to secure that front rack bar.

 

Throw some boards on and do 70-80 mph. Tell how it holds up. .
They do look nice.

...but i'm wondering if there is any other way to secure that front rack bar.

Use set screws instead of the factory thumb screws.

 

that looks great for boards (though I havent convinced myself to leave them on the roof yet..) does anyone know if the actual factory snowboard attatchment ever came out for the factory rack?

 

I would move the front bar more towards the front of the vehicle, beleive it or not skis in a short rack wear out the epoxy that holds the metal edges of your skis in. Yes I now they are made for flexing but I have seen many tourists from texas who drove all of the way have failures by the time they reached Snowbird.

 

I too thought about the set screws instead of the factory screws. But I never leave skis on overnight when I am in a condo/hotel. And its just as easy to unscrew 2 thumb screws and toss the front rack in the back of the FJ.

And on moving the front mount forward, Yakima recommends keeping them between 12" and 24" apart to prevent theft of skis. Of course, since I never leave skis on where someone could steal them, I will probably move the front mount forward anyway for the highway.

Now if I only had a fairing.................

 

I have the same set of racks, just put them on two weeks ago. Real easy to put on and not much wind noise. Took the FJ out on the highway with a board on it, went around 80mph and the wind noise was not bad. Very tolerable. Especially if I compare it to my wife's wrangler.

 

Thanks NTX FJ...great pics/recommendation. I just ordered a set from ORS. ORS has a great price and great service; I highly recommend them to anyone looking to buy this system. To order call 800-894-7547...and no, for those that know me, I have absolutely no affiliation with them...I just like it when I get good, friendly service on the phone and ORS definitely fits that bill. Cheers.

 

i went with the fat cats as well after seeing ntx_fj's. i ended up mounting the mighty mounts onto the crossbars (moved a long crossbar forward and the short crossbar back). sweet set-up. hardly notice any wind noise. however, i did have a "howl" when they were mounted closer together. that howl disappeared after i moved them apart from each other.

 

Looks nice! Wish I hadn't gone with the Toyota ski rack, it only fits 3 pairs of skis or 2 snow boards. I need room for 2 pairs and 2 boards!

 

i hear ya ripsnort. my sister bought me the toyota ski rack attachments for christmas, but i politely told her that my mind had already been set on the fat cats.

just put yours up for sale on craigslist or something and get the fat cats or powderhounds. better to have what you want, especially if within reason.

 

Good suggestion, I may do that next fall since the biggest snowboard we have currently for the kids is 146 so we're good for this year anyway, they both fit in the back.

Craigslist is awesome! I sold my BMW to the first buyer on CL.

 

Just installed these. Hardly any wind noise @75mph - even with two snowboards. These are pretty secure too with locks. However, I usually don't leave my boards there overnight if its parked outside.

 

i have some yaks on my crossbars. on the lower roof rack rails but i spaced them up so i dont have issues with the tails rubbing the rear bar of the roof rack. if i had both on top i would hit the garage door and i couldnt space the front one far enough back because the bindings wouldnt fit in between them.

do your bindings fit in between the racks? man you ust have some small feet, or do you put one rack in between the bidings and one behind or in front of them?

 

briman, i used to put one binding on a snowboard in between the fat cats until i maxed out the space between the attachments. i ride a 162 with hi-backs and they just barely fit in between. skis are no prob in this config.

essentially, the short crossbar will only go as far back as the midway point between the first and second columns (looking from back to front). the long crossbar will go as far forward as 8-10" from the last column. no wind noise even at this config. i can provide exact distances if need be. i currently have the fat cats off, but will be racking them up this weekend.

in short, either mounting method works. hope this helps.

 

nice, looks like it would holdup pretty good at higher speed.

 

If you're referring to my pics, the bindings do fit. However, I use the clicker bindings for my snowboard - the bindings are pretty flat - and can be adjusted fore and aft. Boards can be fitted in anyway. Both on top or together on one side. Haven't put skis on there yet but I'm sure I could adjust them with ease.

 

Does anyone have an actual height of the Fat Cat 6 installed on stock 17" wheels and tires?

 

i have the fat cats off the rack right now, but will be re-installing them next week (it's raining...snow in the hills?). if no one has posted up before then, i'll take some measurements for you.

 

Looking good!!

 

No worries as I bought the YakRack and it fits through the garage with 2" to spare. We will have to see with skis on. Thanks!:thefinger:

 

I am returning mine.. My car does not fit in the garage with it.

I do love them but I rather have my baby in garage when resting

 

I'm looking to do a similar set up with some Yakima racks. I like what you've got here. Can you tell me the exact mounts that you used?? (item # or something) I have the button downs already, just want the low profile look you have. Thanks!!

 

Here's mine. I mounted them on the lower bars but replaced the thumbscrews with allen screws. this way the rack doesn't stick out higher than the roof rack and neither do the skis/board.

 

can you still fit boards facing both ways? as in, with the rack mounted on the lower bars can you still fit 4 boards?

 

neone try the inno grabmax 6? Little cheaper and they say they fit the fj

 

i liek the fact there low profile:bigthumb:

 

Hey I have the same setup but am worried about someone just unscrewing the factory crossbars and lifting the fat cat away. Whats a solution for security besides mounting on to the rear bar?

 

well i went to yakima crossbars because i could lock the lowrider clamps. security, plus the ability to lay back my racks on the round bars were my concerns. however secure, it wont stop idiots. on dec 30th, some punk ass kids tried to steal my racks and got pissed when they couldnt get them off. caved in the roof. about $8k worth of damage and a new roof later, i am all better. all for less than $300 worth of gear, racks, clamps, locks, crossbars. lucky i didnt catch them, it would be a long, long sentance...

 

Mine didn't fit in the garage...just took it off today. Will have to use it when I need it.

 

try going with the yakima bars and just laying the ski racks backwards when not in use. thats what i do with mine. my FJ is up 2.5" in the front, on 285/65/18's, and has the factory rack with the yak stuff, and it clears a standard height garage.

 

Nice I have the same racks that I use for 3 boards with room for 1 more. :rocker:

 

I installed my Fat Cats yesterday on the lower bars. I was really concerned about clearing my garage door, as my entry is pretty low. With the Cats on the lower bars, they line up right with the top of the roof rack, so they don't stick out at all. I had not problems clearing the door and my snowboards fit just fine. I also replaced the thumbs screws with hex screws, so it makes it a bit harder to remove.

 

I've been running the FatCat 4 on my FJ since '07 an I'm very happy with them. Don't like the idea of taking ski/bike racks off and on so I went with the 4 since I can then fit my two bike trays next to it (barely). I think the racks are pretty safe when locked since the screws to unmount them are inside the rack so when the racks are locked you can't just use a screwdriver to get them off. Usually Don't leave leave skis/boards up over night either.