Roof racks for soft top Sierra's

[Lil'Loki]

Does anyone on 'Outers' know if and where roof rack systems can be bought for 'soft top' Sierra's in Oz. I've done some looking on the net and they are available in the US. $549.00 USD from below…

http://www.rocky-road.com/zukrack.html

Seems a bit on the pricey side and with shipping costs it'll probably come close to $1000 AUD before it hits my doorstep.

I probably wouldn't need the basket setup as it will only be used for transporting my surfboards.

In regards to fabricating one myself, I don't have the tools and equipment. If no one does the roof rack systems here, I'm seriously thinking of borrowing the equipment required and giving it a go myself.

Another question for some of the experts on here…
They say some minor drilling of the body panels is required.
Q. What sort of fixings would be needed and would a backing plate on the inside of the panels be required?

The other option is to buy a fibreglass canopy and install regular racks.
But even this is going to be pricey.

Anyway, looking forward to your input.

Thanks in advance Darren.

[Kitika]

I was going to make something similar to this because then it can be beefed up to be used as a exo cage aswell. The yanky type that bolts to the body only look a little weak to me but i guess they wouldnt be holding to much load.

[Lil'Loki]

Yeah, thought about the exo cage idea myself. But the 'legal' issues keep popping up.

I was thinking about buying some sidesteps (bolted to the chassis) and bending some steel pipe up over the front of the doors and windscreen and then behind and over the back of the targa bar. Then welding it to the sidesteps and then some cross members and bracing between the front and back bars. (Strictly meant as a roof rack only not to be interpreted whatsoever as an exo cage - Before Gwagensteve jumps down my throat LOL)

Similar to the one in your post Kikita… But the rear bar would be moved forward to the front of the 'rear wheel arch' and come up behind the targa bar.
The top bars would come slightly closer to the roofline with enough space to remove or replace the soft top when desired. No basket would be required as I'm only concerned with transporting my 9' foot mal's and a passenger or 2.
I've done a couple of local trips with 3' (about a metre) of longboards hanging out of the back flap. Even though I've flagged the extremity and secured the boards for safety, I'm sure the odd Mr Plod might take an interest and if he's in the ticketing mood… Well say no more!

Plus the extra space in the back will be great!

[Kitika]

You may be able to talk your way out of the legalities about the roofrack being interpreted as a rollcage because its the only way you can mount a roofrack on a softtop sierra
I've seen about 3 or 4 sierras and a dahaitsu scat with these type of chassis mounted roofrack/exo systems around where i live and they havent had any trouble with the extra attention. I dont know if they have been engineer approved or not tho but they've getting around for about 4-5 years with no probs

Mounting it to the sidesteps is what i am planning to one day do to mine except i'll be making mine bolt on to the sidesteps not welded for ease of removal.

[Lil'Loki]

Personally I like the idea of the roof rack being fixed to the side steps as well rather than drilling into perfectly good body panels.

[Big D]

[quote="Lil'Loki"]


The other option is to buy a fibreglass canopy and install regular racks.
But even this is going to be pricey.

quote]

i went to flexiglass today to get a price on zook hard top......
















































$1750!!!!!!!! before powdercoat!!!. i was completly shocked

[Lil'Loki]

i went to flexiglass today to get a price on zook hard top......



$1750!!!!!!!! before powdercoat!!!. i was completly shocked

My 'A' hole just tighted up!!!!

Keep an eye out in the Quokka or Trading Post - for a good second hand one?

[Big D]

i guess so lol. or ill just stick with soft top.

[grimbo]

why do you assume an exo is illegal. it was never an issue on my Zuk even though it went through numerous rwc and reregistration. Never mentioned or questioned at any stage by VicRoads, the cops. As long as it doesn't restrict your vision in anyway I can't see it being a problem. Of course you need to find out for sure

[cjdeane10]

There was a crowd in Bayswater WA that used to make a rack for the Sierra specifically for holding surfboards.

It consisted of a bar that you bolted onto the spare wheel carrier that went straight up to a 'T' section at the top. A secondary 'T section' bolted onto the very top of the front windscreen using the same bolt holes as the bonnet stoppers (those rubber thingies that stops your bonnet from leaning up against the glass).
The concept is that the surfboards fit within the 'T sections' and are tied down.

Looked kinda flimsy, but if it was just for a couple of surfboards it would be ok.

Some guy sold one for 90 bucks on ebay - if i can find a photo of one i will post it up.

If you can Fab one up - it might be just what you want...

[Shamus]

I bought that roofrack in Kitiko's photo with the intention of modifying it to attach to the sidesteps. Currently the front attaches to brackets bolted to the chassis and the rear attaches to brackets bolted to the towbar section. There's also a bracket on the front legs to make use of the bolts at the door hinge for extra support. The main use for it is to carry a surf ski about and get some light stuff up top when camping. I'm now thinking of fabricating something that just rises out of the tub instead, so this one's probably going back on ebay :-)

When I got it I also thought it might be the basis of an exo, but really it was a flash in the pan idea and never likely to go anywhere - just don't feel the need for that extra work or the attention that will come with it.