Rack for HJ60 Hi-Roof

I've been through several incarnations of roof rack (pics on mud).

I started with a couple simple Yakima bars then went to a full basket (which had a nasty tendency to snag bamboo, parking garages, etc). So I removed the basket and two of the Yakima mounts so it was just big enough to hold two solar panels. I ran cables down the front to deflect branches and I added an awning. But it's taken another blow and the hand-made Yakima-style mount I had built (to replace the broken OEM mount) is no longer holding up, so I've decided to go all custom.

Goals are:

  • Low profile, branch deflecting (bamboo is some crazy strong stuff)
  • protects a set of solar panels that will be hinged so they can capture max sunlight
  • could be used to hold an RTT in the future
  • could be used to hold something long, like a canoe, without touching the solar panels
  • solar panels should not be shaded by a tall basket

I have attached some condeptual drawings. It would be constructed with conduit/tube stock and attached using some type of Bulldog style mounts. I'm not sure which size I need to clear the high-roof without being too tall (low-profile).

http://www.diamondrax.com/diamondrax-roof-rack-mounting-systems.html

One thing I'm not sure about yet is how to handle the nose. Since my hi-roof tapers down sharply towards the windshield, it leaves a large gap that would be perfect for trapping tree branches. I could make new cable mounts and run steel wire down to the front bumper but I also like the idea of building a "visor" in the front to hold some lights and also deflect tree branches.

I'm curious how others with unusual roof shapes have addressed this. Thoughts?
 

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Hj61 12ht

New member
It might not suit you, but I have a shorter rack that ends just behind the drivers seat. It allows the use of the sunroof to see when branches are going to catch on the front, and creates less wind noise when the sunroof is open. Its still 6ft long...

4486102804_ec10765f60_b.jpg
 

Hj61 12ht

New member
I'm using my own gutter mounts made out of a few bolts and a bit of angle iron, very beefy!
I think it is unusual to see a 60 without a sunroof over here (NZ) though mostly they are JDM 61's here I guess, perhaps all 61's had sunroofs?

gm.jpg
 

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