[FJGolden]

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:

 

[Calisun]

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

 

[hawaiicraig]

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!!

 

[S2bear]

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.

 

[double_d]

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?

 

[S2bear]

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

I haven't tried it but I'm pretty sure that would work - so long as you take the bindings off. S

 

[HUDsFJ]

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

 

[FreshChip119]

i liek the fact there low profile:bigthumb:

 

[Dievo]

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?

 

[Briman42487]

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...

 

[WantaFJme]

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

 

[Briman42487]

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.

 

[S2bear]

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

If you leave the yakima mounted to the crossbars but swap the crossbars to the lower rack supports, the yakima should be no taller than the stock rack. (it's easier to move the bars with FatCat attached as opposed to unmounting them from the bars).
Failing that, just flipping the crossbars upside down with YakFatCat still attached when not in use, may give you enough clearance... but I haven't tried it.....
Stu

 

[greyschy]

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

 

[kronicbass79]

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.

 

[Ranger92]

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.

 

[Hagan]

Looks good! I just installed my Thule ski rack.

 

[fjtravlr]

I finished my installation last week after going through this thread and considering every possible configuration I could think of. My problem is that I park in a garage with a 6' 10" (82") max clearance. My 2011 FJ has a 3" lift and 285 / 70 / 17's on it. I have approximately 3 inches to spare between the roof rack and the ceiling of the garage. I wanted a solution that I could leave on and not have to take on and off every week. Here's what I came up with:

• 
  Yakima Fatcat 6

• Thule Crossroad mount and crossbar system, inverted in the front

• Factory crossbar on lower rack in the rear. (I wanted to use an inverted Thule in the rear also because it's more secure, but the mounts wont fit between the tubes of the factory rack.)

The Fatcat's now sit completely flush with the top of the factory rack but still have just enough clearance for my bindings when the board is mounted upside down (i.e. if I'm carrying 3 or more boards).

Here is a picture with the board installed upside down, just to show that it does clear the roof. This wasn't the cheapest solution, but it wasn't too bad, and it's about as clean and low profile as you can get. I've made a couple of trips to the mountain now, carrying 3 boards with no issues. Check it out.

 

[kthykntsmartin]

Just got in and installed the new Yakima Fat Cat 6 Ski Rack. Holds 6 pairs of skis or 4 snow boards. Yes, the front rack goes on the factory cross bar, which I plan on unscrewing and tossing in the FJ at night. The rear installs on the rear-most round part of the rack. I was surprised it all still fits in the garage with about 2 inches to spare (normal size garage door). It is very easy to load and unload while standing on the back bumper.

The price was $178.95 from Onion River Sports--everything including 2 SKS lock cores, keys, mounts, and included free shipping.

No I don't work for them. I live in Texas and they are someplace up northeast. It was just a really great price.

Are you putting on the skis separately or together? I just got my rack installed and was able to close it. Yesterday i tried putting the skis on and could not close the rack. Any suggestions?

 

[Hannibal]

Are you putting on the skis separately or together? I just got my rack installed and was able to close it. Yesterday i tried putting the skis on and could not close the rack. Any suggestions?

NTX hasn't been on here for years.