2nd Gen Trooper roof rack

[BIGdaddy]

Ok, so my plan is to take part in the CVT tent group buy.

Problem is? No rack...haha.

I have been looking at frontrunner's offerings for the trooper, and really like the SlimLine II. I've been talking to Steve at FR about it and they've subsequently pulled down their listing for the Trooper as they realized apparently that Troopers here in the states mount differently than the ones in OZ or Europe. So that is under investigation, having sent him some pics of my rigs roofline, with the trim removed. (NO mounting bolts that I can see under that trim)

Next stop was Bajarack to see if their setup will work for me. Nice that they're local to san diego here. They're supposed to send me some info today outlining a few options, including their EXP rack and their Utility rack. I'm unsure at this point, though, if I have any options other than the thule/yakima standard setup grafted to a Bajarack.



Here's some link's to some of my choices:

EXP universal rack $670.00 (no shipping cuz I'm local. That's nice!)
http://www.bajarack.com/exp-rack

Here's a Thule setup on a trooper using the Traverse tower/ square bar kit with the trooper fit kit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzvoetHP2gU

Kit 1091 with traverse towers and square bars $385.00
http://www.etrailer.com/roof-2001_Isuzu_Trooper.htm?style=&furl=-pt-Square_Bars

Kit 1091 with Traverse towers and "Aero bars $455.00
http://www.etrailer.com/roof-2001_Isuzu_Trooper.htm


How about an ARB touring? I might hit up ARB and see what they'd do to mount it to my truck.

ARB touring $630.00 + shipping:
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Steel-Ro...out&ppcfon=1&gclid=CMydtPeF7bwCFc6RfgodPoUAvw



Scott Brady, what setup did your rack consist of? I remember seeing pics, but not sure I know the details.

Anywho, doing my research, and hopefully FR, ARB or BajaRack can help me figure out a solid, lightweight, affordable setup.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Ok, just stumbled upon this Expo members Planetisuzoo thread...

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?p=220750#220750

In it he details the fact that I may very well have taped over bolt holes that are probably the "OEM mounting points" that a few vendors have talked about

Here's some pics of my roofline with the trim removed:




There should be a third set of bolt holes in between the fore and aft set pointed out in the photo's. I'm definitely going to check this out when the rain lets up here.

 

[BigSwede]

Here is another guy who had taped holes (you may have seen this already):

http://buckwheat-anderson.com/bcanderson/trooper/Roofrack/Roofrack.html

 

[BIGdaddy]

Here is another guy who had taped holes (you may have seen this already):

http://buckwheat-anderson.com/bcanderson/trooper/Roofrack/Roofrack.html

I hadn't seen that, thanks!

 

[double moo]

All of the Troopers were manufactured in Japan. The mounting points are the same worldwide.

 

[BIGdaddy]

All of the Troopers were manufactured in Japan. The mounting points are the same worldwide.

Thanks for the info, sir!

 

[BIGdaddy]

Ok, so in talking to Paul at Equipt, there might be another choice to consider.

http://www.equipt1.com/companies/K9...awn-k9/1075369-eezi-awn-k9-roof-rack-systems/

The Eezi-Awn K9 rack system is able to be purchased as a platform only.

Then you can buy an undrilled rail and however many feet suit your application.

That undrilled rail can be placed over your factory roof rack mounting locations and drilled to fit creating a "unique to your vehicle" setup.


Awesome. I asked Paul to take a look at the pictures in this thread to see if he thought my roofline would work with the track they sell.

Pricing is inline with other setup's I'm considering, which is a plus.


I know some of you might say, wow, $1000.00 + for rack? Dude, just make it your self, or buy some thule bars and be done. As I've said in my personal trooper page, though, I'm done with 2nd rate, Gerry-rigged gear. If a quality rack that will allow me to reconfigure at will to carry anything I need to carry costs a grand, I'll save up and pay a grand.

With 5 family members riding in my truck, I need the roof to carry things, and I need it to carry things without failure. Cuz if it fails, mama aint going to be happy, and if Mama aint happy...aint nobody happy.

 

[BigSwede]

That looks promising.

 

[double moo]

The adjustable leg mounting system looks great... but I'm not so sure about the flat rack. The looks do nothing for me.