Author |
Message |
Jared Martin
Tinkerer Qld Soarer TT
Posts: 76 Reg: 10-2005
| Is this even possible? Its just a pain fitting surf boards in the car (meaning I can only take one other person with me when we hit the coast - and they have to sit behind me!) so I was thinking of fitting some roof racks when I go down but I'm not sure if it would even be possible with such a small area above the doors for them to clip onto. Has anyone ever seen this been done before? |
Daniel Lee
DieHard Victoria Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 692 Reg: 07-2005
| Yep here are some photos of the Soarer with the roof racks on.
|
Adam Barry
TryHard WA UZZ30
Posts: 381 Reg: 08-2005
| Does anyone else see those pictures and just cringe? How can you do that to upset the lines of such a beautiful car??? |
Paul Irwin
Trader NSW GT-T (1JZ-GTE)
Posts: 280 Reg: 07-2005
| if they are easy to attach/detach without breaking anything i would love some myself to take the boards to the snow/surf. |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo North Island JZZ31
Posts: 1244 Reg: 10-2005
| They always seem to leave marks though, no matter what the manufacturer claims. |
Jared Martin
Tinkerer Qld Soarer TT
Posts: 77 Reg: 10-2005
| Yeah I wouldnt be leaving them on all the time, It would only be for when I needed to chuck the boards on... I would have thought the racks wouldnt have been able to clip on at the back - I can't see in the photos how the third row clips on. Where did you get your racks from Daniel? And how much did they cost? |
Perry Morgan
Goo Roo Qld UZZ32 ( V8 )
Posts: 1268 Reg: 07-2005
| Looking at his profile I would guess it's not Daniel's soarer Jared. Unless an earlier car I guess. |
Robin Giles
TryHard WA Limited UZZ31
Posts: 137 Reg: 08-2005
| I think it looks like the third bar is floating and is connected to the other two to keep it in place. It just has a set of pads to distribute the weight more evenly. If that is the case you may not even need three depending on how heavy your load is. |
Daniel Lee
DieHard Victoria Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 694 Reg: 07-2005
| Hi Jared, The Soarer with the roof racks is not mine and I got the photos from the national meet. Perhaps someone who attended the meet can tell you who own the Soarer. |
Tobias Trinks
TryHard Queensland JZZ31
Posts: 115 Reg: 09-2005
| I have the same roof racks on my Soarer. They are from Thule... |
Michael Keen
TryHard NSW JZZ30
Posts: 322 Reg: 07-2005
| Nup - never seen one - wasn't me !!!
|
Michael Keen
TryHard NSW JZZ30
Posts: 323 Reg: 07-2005
| To correct the myths. There are two bars only. Each bar has two pads that sit on the roof. Rear bar is floating on its own. Just sitting there till the transfer beam in put in place with a centre clamp between the bars. The centre clam transfers the downward force to the rear bar to hold it in place. So all the clamping force is from two clamps in line with the front door on each side. They are made by Thule. I have ski and kayak racks, so now they stay on all year round. I did 125km/hr for 4 hours with both those ski's on the roof, cutting the wind and turbulance from trucks etc - no dramas. I think it cost me $550 incl ski racks, excl Kayak racks, quite a few yeatrs ago now. Get a Thule shop to do the ititial fitment. It will take an expert. After that iots a 35min procedure to reinstall. You will need to tell the Thule guy to use Falcon gutter moulded clamps, as none are made for the Soarer. Mine were fitted by Thule (Roof Rack World?) located at Artarmon Sydney.. They are a very good system. I'm 107kg and i'd have no hesitation standing on them. Yes, bit of a bummer about what they do to the body lines. I love the car, can't get the snow ski's thu the petrol tank into the back seat. |
Matt Worrad
Tinkerer NSW/VIC Wanted TT
Posts: 49 Reg: 05-2006
| F^ck yeah rook racks I thought I was going to have to give up surfing and kite surfing. YESSSSS!!! I cant wait to put that on my mods list in my profile! |
Jared Martin
Tinkerer Qld Soarer TT
Posts: 78 Reg: 10-2005
| Wow theyre a bit more expensive than I was expecting. Does anyone know somewhere in Brisbane where these would be available or does anybody have a set theyd like to sell? |
Michael Keen
TryHard NSW JZZ30
Posts: 325 Reg: 07-2005
| Matt and Jared, these racks are available form any Thule distributor. Ring Thule and they will tell you who is the rep in your area. You should get them to fit the racks the first time tho. It was a fiddle. The owner on the business fitted mine at Artarmon, and he was very particular about getting it right. Once fitted and all aligned then you only undo the clamps to remove. Not all the connections that they had to setup. I have two small bits of tape on my door rubbers marking the alignment so the reinstall is easy. These racks are well worth the investment. You can take them to your next car. You just need a couple of new clamps to make it fit your next car, not a complete set of racks like what happens with the Rhino's etc. I haven't head of any other systems that wil fit the car, and i looked around a bit. I have seen one Soarer with racks bolted to the roof .... !!! ..... There is an alternative for you! :-) The other alternative is soft racks from webbing pulled tight, but they rub. Not any rubbing from these. Clean car and pads before install and make sure the transfer beam is clamped tight and the rear bar and pads will not move. After many years i have no marks to mention. An ever so faint impression that would be removed in a minute with some wax, but i have never bothered because its not noticeable really. My recollection of the price could be wrong. I think the snow ski attachments were $200+ so the roof racks themselves might be more like $350 or less, so go see them and get a price. Best of luck guys. |
Paul Irwin
Trader NSW GT-T (1JZ-GTE)
Posts: 283 Reg: 07-2005
| what does it look like with the racks off? i.e. is there any clips or anchor points you can see with them off? |
Paul Fitzsimmons
Tinkerer nsw '97 soarer
Posts: 48 Reg: 08-2005
| To carry a single surf board or two try searching on ebay for "soft racks". Cheap and easy. Surf shops sell them. |
Michael Keen
TryHard NSW JZZ30
Posts: 327 Reg: 07-2005
| Paul I, it looks just like your car, except a different colour. It all comes off mate. Paul F, Yes those soft racks car be used. I have heard of problems with the flapping and rubbing on the paint tho. No personal experience, but they a probably cheap and worth a try. |
Matt Smith
Tinkerer QLD Sc300 Non Turbo
Posts: 25 Reg: 07-2009
| I know this is an old thread but if anyone has the part number from Thule for the roof racks that would be very helpful. I'm looking at a pair but need the numbers ;S |
Tim Ross
Goo Roo Qld TT (6+2>8)
Posts: 1185 Reg: 09-2007
| Matt, I have the business card for the Thule rep at work... I was meant to catch up with him about these when I was at the Melbourne 4x4 show but didnt get a chance to (too busy)... anyways, I'll post his details up tomorrow |
Matt Smith
Tinkerer QLD Sc300 Non Turbo
Posts: 26 Reg: 07-2009
| Cheers mate. I went to a few places and they really have no idea :S all say i need the part numbers and i can get em...but yeah. Cheers |
Tim Ross
Goo Roo Qld TT (6+2>8)
Posts: 1186 Reg: 09-2007
| Yeah, he has the USA Thule producs guide at his office apparently, which lists the part numbers for the USDM Lexus SC's... so fingers crossed that might give some answers |
Chris Ryan
TryHard NT UZZ30
Posts: 219 Reg: 09-2005
| You can have a look at the US site here http://www.thuleracks.com/fg_vehicle.asp But it says there's no recommended roof rack for SC300/SC400. If you can find some info I'd be interested too. 1998 Lexus SC 300/400 , Bike , Ski , Snowboard , Surfboard , Windsurf , Canoe , Kayaks ROOF MOUNTED SYSTEMS At this time we do not have a multipurpose rack system that we recommend for use. Please look at the other possible solutions for your vehicle listed below. You can also get more info by using our Dealer Locator to find a Thule Dealer in your area that could advise you on other options for your vehicle. Alternatively, you may wish to re-configure your vehicle for further Thule car rack options. HITCH MOUNTED SYSTEMS OPTION 1 | HITCH MOUNT OPTION Does your vehicle have a receiver hitch? Many vehicles come with a hitch installed, or a local store may be able to add a hitch to your vehicle. Our hitch carriers fit 1 ΒΌ", 2" and ball mount/draw bar style hitches. Check out this section for different types of hitch bike, ski, snowboard, and luggage carrier options available. |
Tim Ross
Goo Roo Qld TT (6+2>8)
Posts: 1187 Reg: 09-2007
| Ok, called the guys at Thule. Didnt get the bloke mentioned on the business card (as he was on a road trip doing dealer visits), but from the guy I spoke to, I really didnt get much help at all... basically told nothing listed, go in to a dealer to see what can be made up. When I get a chance, I may pop in to Roof Racks Galore at Kedron in Brisbane and try my luck there. |
Matt Smith
Tinkerer QLD Sc300 Non Turbo
Posts: 27 Reg: 07-2009
| Damn, Cheers anyway. But now i know it can be done (from pics above) i'm not gonna give up until its done. So i'll have to keep going places. Tried ARB but got the same story. Call a supplier and get part numbers. I'll start searching harder next week when im on holiday. |
Tim Ross
Goo Roo Qld TT (6+2>8)
Posts: 1188 Reg: 09-2007
| Where do you live Matt? |
Jeff Harper
Goo Roo NSW UZZ32 Active V8
Posts: 1490 Reg: 07-2005
| Would you believe that Toyota made them!!?? I have seen them on Yahoo Japan a few times, bloody expensive, but genuine!! |
Matt Smith
Tinkerer QLD Sc300 Non Turbo
Posts: 28 Reg: 07-2009
| I live in Mt Gravatt on the southside of Brisbane. Yourself? |
Tim Ross
Goo Roo Qld TT (6+2>8)
Posts: 1195 Reg: 09-2007
| Northlakes on the Northside. I'll try get in to these guys at Kedron as its closer to me, and see what can be done... given that roof systems are their bread and butter (as their name suggests) I should hope they can come up with something |