roof rack help for a L400

[highoctaine bulldozer]

hi i am trying to get a roof rack project started . what i am looking for is some clamps or a good image of how to attach them to a L400 i have a bunch of steel, that is perfect for the job but i don't want to waste it i need to find out how to attach it to the van. i will make my basket the right size to sit in the middle of the van and far enough back to get in the sweet spot for less wind . anyone with any info of some clamps would be greatly appreciated thanks. kyne

[Artacoma]

I would go to a rack dealer and grab a bunch of catalouge / brocheurs to see how the pros make em and probably copy something from that.

[DeliTan]

This is my next project as well, but I will make mine out of aluminum. I have tried a set of rack towers I got from another member here but it didn't work. The 400 has stupid plastic trims over the gutter lips and I don't know if its better to; ignore them, remove them completely, or cut them away under whatever clamp I come up with. I won't make a basket (at this time), just 2 pipes and saddles for kayaks.

Anyone have something I could look at? Or pix?

thanx

john

[jessef]

Thule makes a clamp that will fit. I've seen it but not sure about the #.

I took my plastic gutter trim off and it's just a typical L-channel gutter.

[Bullwinkle]

anyone with any info of some clamps would be greatly appreciated thanks. kyne

The Thule 425/426 kit (SpaceGear specific low/high roof respectively) has clamps to fit and towers that while tall, aren't as "antennae-like" as the Thule Super High Roof 953's. The hiccup is that they aren't listed as normal stock for North American dealers but are available in Australia and England. I've been talking to local shops to see whether anyone is willing/able to bring them in and can take some pictures if I have any success at getting them. Should know more later this week.

On the kayak-rack front, have you checked out the Thule Hullavators? Big and a bit expensive but they make loading/strapping down boats on a tall vehicle ridiculously fast and easy without needing a ladder to reach. The only downside is people will comment that your van looks quite a bit like a moose ... hence the proud name "Bullwinkle"...

I hadn't even thought of pulling the gutter trim off as Jesse suggested but that would make life much simpler.

[highoctaine bulldozer]

thanks to all that replyed much love pictures would be great if any one has them

[Canadaeh]

Has any one tried these?

Thule 387 High Foot Complete Rain gutter Car Roof Rack
they apparently have 8" of clearance.

On amazon.com they are being sold for $144 plus shipping $20-40.

Not sure if 8" of clearance is enough for the L400 High Roof.

[Movendi]

So i'm wondering where i can find a simple roof rack to hold a surfboard that can be easily taken off for low roof garages. So all i need is towers and cross bars and nothing else?

Is there a kit i can get everything needed to install it myself? Where can i get it if im in california?

[FalcoColumbarius]

Rack Attack in Vancouver: Where's Rack Attack?

Falco.

[Movendi]

okay but i won't be in vancouver for some time and i gotta get one asap while im still in southern california. Just need to know which models to get from a retail store that will fit a high roof crystal lite l400. Can anyone confirm which ones work for them or knows what fits? I searched around but there's been vague response whether some models fitted or not.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Well... I would go to the store and say something like: "Hi guys, here is my van, I need a set of roof bars for her..." and then go from there. As far as knowing where all the rack places are in California? Sorry, man ~ I live in BC. So where in California are you? You got to help me here, I don't have a crystal ball. Here's a website that has a few places in California that carry Thule bars: http://www.thuleracks.com/dealer_snowchains.asp

Falco.

[Jensen]

This looks like a job for someone who can make stuff... I'm probably getting annoying now. I don't have an L400 but if there's a need, and if someone has an L400 I can spend some time taking a look at, I can start making brackets specific to the vehicle?

PM me and let me know.

[thelazygreenfox]

Guys
A friend closeby (that doesn't frequent the forum) has a neat roof rack/basket combo that I will take a pic of.
His mounts in the gutter and clamps without removing the trim piece. Very simple! Expect a pic in the next few days.

Wayne
TLGF

[idahojohns]

Anybody find any clear answers on a rack system for the L400? I'm leaning towards having a custom basket made, but wondering if there are any gutter mount systems (i.e. Thule) out there that are compatible already. I'd just have custom basket bolt to those cross bars (assuming they exist).

Also, does anyone know any good metal workers who might help to bring my design to life?

Thanks!

[mike King]

http://enviroimports.com/index.html

This might help,great guys!!