Rack Question

[texasvx]

I was wanting to put a rack on the VX. I don't have any of the towers or anything on the VX now. Just the standard rails that come on it. I have looked at many of the mods. of you guys VXs. I've seen the Thule and Yakima website as well. My question.....What do I need? What will fit???
Do I need the towers? What all do I need to have a complete rack basket??

Any help would to appreciated.....

[nfpgasmask]

As far as I know, Yakima made a custom rack specifically for the VehiCROSS, which is no longer in production, making VX Yakima bars EXTREMELY hard to get. Once you have them however, you can put just about any Yakima or Thule basket or rack up there with the right mounts.

Some of the guys on here have also fabbed up custom devices for mounting stuff.

Good luck,

Bart


I was wanting to put a rack on the VX. I don't have any of the towers or anything on the VX now. Just the standard rails that come on it. I have looked at many of the mods. of you guys VXs. I've seen the Thule and Yakima website as well. My question.....What do I need? What will fit???
Do I need the towers? What all do I need to have a complete rack basket??

Any help would to appreciated.....

[kpaske]

Bart is 100% correct. The hard part will be getting the towers and winged crossbars. Once you have those, there are numerous options for baskets, storage containers, bike racks, etc. from the aftermarket.

For the towers and crossbars, you could search online for wrecked VXes or wait until someone puts some up for sale here (very rare). I don't recall if anyone was actually successful in fabbing up their own towers and bars, but I imagine there are a lot of potential customers if someone mass produced them... ;Db;

[jgalt]

Like you, I just had the side rails, but just recently installed the Yakima Lowrider towers and 48" rails. Looks GREAT (sleek, low profile) and EASY install ('bout 30 minutes). All other accessories (snowboard / ski, basket, bike, covered carrier) available as well. Let me know if you need part numbers, I'll see if I can come up with anything.

Best,

[texasvx]

That would be great if you could give me the part numbers and whatever else. It would minimize my search. Thanks

[Ldub]

Also, check Zeus's write up in the "how to" section (lower R. side-bar)

[jgalt]

Sorry, couldn't find my part numbers, but here's a link to the towers; the Yak Lowrider is the lowest tower I've found.

http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=144

Buy a set of four towers. The towers are very easy to install and fit right in the stock placements on our factory rails. Simply pop off the four covers on the factor rails and hand tighten the towers into position. You'll notice that the "hook" on the towers fits right into the rail indents. Very sweet.

You'll also need two Yak cross bars. 48" is the shortest Yak makes and don't overhang the VX too badly (the standard Yak cross bars are round vs the oval cross-bars that came with the factory rack). You could trim these down (shorten) with a hacksaw if you wanted, but I think they look OK.

I'd also recommend you pick-up a Yak SKS four-lock set and put a lock on each tower. Around here, if your rack isn't locked on, its gone. Maybe a six or eight-lock set if you plan on adding accessories (I needed two more; one each for the ski carriers on each cross-bar).

Finally, take a 10-minute drive on any bumpy street road and then re-tighten the towers by hand; you'd be amazed at how much more you can tighten them (I got two full turns).

Best,

[nfpgasmask]

SO all this time, people have been trying to find a stock VX rack to haul stuff, and these Yakima towers fit our rails with no modifications?

Can you post photos?

Thanks,

Bart


Sorry, couldn't find my part numbers, but here's a link to the towers; the Lowrider is the lowest tower I've found.

http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=144

Buy a set of four towers

You'll also need two cross bars; 48" is the shortest they make and don't overhang the VX too badly (these are round vs the oval cross-bars that came with the factory rack). You could trim these down with a hacksaw if you wanted, but I think they look OK.

I'd also recommend you pick-up an SKS four lock set and put a lock on each tower. Around here, if your rack isn't locked on, its gone.

Best,

[jgalt]

SO all this time, people have been trying to find a stock VX rack to haul stuff, and these Yakima towers fit our rails with no modifications?

Yep.


Can you post photos?

I'll try - I've never posted a photo on the board before. If not, you all can just PM me your e-mail addresses and I'll attach a copy.

[biju]

Yeah I'm a little skeptical, but proof is in the pudding... photos please.

Is this a 'new' yakima tower? I ask because before last Zu I went to my local rack store (RackAttack) and they almost laughed me out of the store after trying to plead with them to help me find something suitable. (And they specialize in Yakima).

Are the towers you have a solid/tight/secure fit? Or are they loose?

Again, can't wait to see pictures.

-biju.

[jgalt]

Well I took some pics, but the light is low and its snowing like the bejesus.

I do believe these towers are fairly new (< 1 year?).

They fit tight; no slop.

Is there a "how to" on posting pics? Do you need them posted on a server first?

[Ldub]

Top bar, gallery, gallery links, upload photos, browse, select, upload. ;)

[biju]

This would be breaking news for us all if it's true...!

I mean, last year before Zu - this was me searching/scouring the web for a rack that would fit:

http://www.bijulab.com/images/VX_INFO/BERSERK.GIF

I eventually found an OEM rack from a yard, but you get the point.... Finding a substitute for the OEM rack has eluded us all (sans a few modsters out there)...

-biju.

[Ldub]

LMAO Beej... :p

I'm lovin' the way the last eyeball whips around before final seperation.

[nfpgasmask]

Well, there is probably still no comparison to the stock rack, from a "looks" point of view, but if there is another option available that works just as well, than this is golden. I'm happy I found a stock rack, but yeah, if this is a solution, I'm sure a lot of folks on here will be very, very happy...

Bart

[etlsport]

imho the stock rack is too tall.. but i also want to make sure this rack sticks up over the level of the spoiler/3rd brake light because i carry lots of 2x4s and dont want them hitting my brake light...

[jgalt]

Thanks Ldub for the pointers.

**EDIT**

I've deleted these POS photos, and will post the new ones below. In the interim though, you can visit My Gallery for the new photos.

[biju]

Thanks for posting these, and enduring the cold to do so.

Pudding indeed.

Looks like the shape of the tower base doesn't match up with our rails, but you can't argue with results I suppose. If they work, they work! :)

-biju.

[Ldub]

OK - everyone can give me crap about the "sweet" pics. I'll take some more tomorrow... :rolleyes: BTW - any way to shrink these?

Moncha turned me on to some freeware that's useful for resizing/ reformatting, etc. IMO, a very good product.
Google "IrfanView" to see what I'm talkin' bout.

Also, there's this new thing I found to prevent shaking in cold weather...It's called a JACKET...try one on for size & see if you don't agree. :rolleyes:

edit: (for those that saw that...oops :rolleyes: )

[kpaske]

Wow! Nice to finally have an alternative. The round bars don't look quite as slick as the stock wing bars, but it's a solution none-the-less, and could give many the additional functionality they are looking for. Nice find, jgalt!

[MSHardeman]

Heck, I might just take off the stock racks and store them for later use and go with these. I think the stock racks stick too high off the car too. They look great with nothing on them, but when you start putting ski racks, bike racks and cargo boxes up there they seem to sit way up in the air stream. Right now I can't fit the VX in my garage with the cargo box on it (2" too tall), so this may be a great option.

[nfpgasmask]

See I like the tall rack, it looks good and gives you clearance for the spoiler. But yeah, I know once I get something up there, I won't be able to fit in the garage anymore. :(

Bart

[jgalt]

OK, as promised, here are some better photos. Also, I heard back from Yakima on my part numbers, which are as follows:

Lowrider: 0118
Crossbars: 0408

Front tower
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0273.jpg

Rear tower
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0272.jpg

Rack from differing viewpoints:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0276.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0275.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0274.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSCN0271.jpg

As you can see, the towers do not "sit" on the factory rail, but ride above it by approximately 0.5-0.75". Nonetheless, the rubber "farings" hide much of the gap.

I should also mention that there is a pretty good "whistle" at highway speeds. I don't know if this comes from the rack (towers and crossbars) itself or the Powderhound ski/snowboard carriers I installed on top. But, wth, that's what your stereo is for. :p

I personally think they look pretty good, especially considering that there was no other real alternative, except maybe a Thule tower that was over 4" high; I like the low profile.

Cheers,

Jim
SLC, UT

[CrnCnn]

on ebay right now. 16 hrs left. I would try to bid on them but dont have any extra cash at the moment.

Just a heads up

[etlsport]

ordered myself a set of lowrider mounts, sks cores and 48" crossbars... apparently the lowriders are made for ford suvs factory racks? the instructions that came with it have the ford logo on them and talk about escapes and explorers during the install process.. will be puttin them on today or tomorrow so we'll see, ill post pics as well

[jgalt]

There are two types of Lowrider mounts: Lowrider and Lowrider Max. As near as I could tell, there is very little difference between them, but I do believe that the Lowrider Max was designed for specific applications such as Ford.

The standard Lowrider is (reportedly) more general and is what I used. If you do have any problems, this could be the cause.

Best,

[etlsport]

hmm, thanks for the info, hopefully they will fit.. when i ordered them i used your part number listed (0118) to make sure they were the same.. i guess ill see tonight

[jgalt]

You should be OK then ... the part no. for Lowrider Max is 0136. Don't know why the instructions for the Lowrider (0118) would have a Ford logo though :confused:

[cyronman]

etlsport-


you get the racks yet?

[etlsport]

ive got them... sittin in the back of the VX.. last night when i got home it was about 15º (yea like summer to ldub) out.. so i wasnt all about doing it.. but ive got to make a home depot run before saturday, so ill have to tough it out

[creeg]

I went a different route: I took Zeus' rack and added 1" pipes to mount Yakima stuff to. Kind of a roundabout way of getting to the same place, but Ive got a full rack up there that looks pretty cool

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P1070001.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/P1070001.JPG)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P1070002.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/P1070002.JPG)

[etlsport]

they fit!! they dont look beautiful or anything... but they are effective.. ill have to check back to see how they deal with a lot of weight, because they rest on the roof and not on the rails...

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/12-22_082.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/12-22_082.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/12-22_084.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/12-22_084.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/12-22_085.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/12-22_085.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/12-22_083.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/12-22_083.jpg)

[Spike]

Uhmm... Nice rack? :)

[VehiGAZ]

Best. Reply. Ever.

:-)

[ZEUS]

Uhmm... Nice rack? :)

Yep, notice the wood... :rolleyes:

[creeg]

Yeah, he had to strap it on.

you guys started it, not me.

[jgalt]

.. ill have to check back to see how they deal with a lot of weight, because they rest on the roof and not on the rails...[/url]

I think the front towers are just on the rails - no?? Anyone know what the stock rack was rated for in term of carrying capacity?

Sorry - no snappy anatomy comment - I think the best ones were already taken.

[etlsport]

jgalt.. you were right only the front sits on the roof.. and actually not nearly as badly as i thought.. i was in a hurry during install so i didnt look real close... here are some close ups..

front
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/rack_0021.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/rack_0021.jpg)


rear
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/rack_0031.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/rack_0031.jpg)

i dont know for sure but i beleive stock rack is rated at 110lbs

[creeg]

What about if you cut off some of the metal on the "inside" grip? That way, if it works, it wouldnt sit on the roof, and would actually sit above the lip of the rack?

I dont know what that would do to the stability of the rack, and I am probably missing some essential part of this based on the pics available.

(hope that makes sense)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/rack_creeg.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/rack_creeg.jpg)