Anyone made roof rack cross-bars for their TD?
 

Since the cross-bars are so expensive and rare, has anyone come across an aftermarket solution, or even made their own?

I use a Yakima bike rack.
I think the original crossbars are more for show...
I don't think I'd use them for anything heavy, since they'd cross flex, and potentially bend, the front to back rack. I think they were originally rated for 200lbs, which would be good for bikes, but not too much equipment.

If I could ever get my hands on a set, I'd quickly dial the number of a few machine shops/engineer friends and have them reverse engineer and make a few sets for special order. Any one want to send a sample? Don't think it'd be too hard or even that expensive (relatively speaking of course). The chrome plating is the one thing that I don't know about...

200lbs is quite a lot I think. A large suitcases stuffed with clothes weigh about 50lbs. Four mtnbikes would weight only 100-125lbs; and four bikers wouldn't be carrying more than a few pounds of gear which'll likely get stowed in the cargo area. A couple of Kayaks and gear could also go up there. easily.

My ford exploder's factory rack was only good for 75lbs. I added a Thule for bikes, which was good for 125lbs. Gotta remember too that the roof needs to be able to carry the weight as well.

Oh how I want those crossbars. :(

I use the yakima lowrider towers with...shoot....42" crossbars? They come in different lengths, and now I can't remember. All I put up there ar ethe snowboards. I was going to get a yakima luggage box things, but I think if I do that, I'll go with the q-towers that attach to the gutters. I don't want to put all that weight on the roof rack bars, don't know how strong they really are. If you're going to buy something new (or even used) I'd recommend the kind that attach to the gutters, just so you know it'll take the weight of whatever you're putting up there.

As knotwork is one of my specialties, I just lashed a couple of mahogany 1x4s across with some heavy nylon twine. I used a standard square lashing, pulling every turn very tight. I use it mostly to carry my 18-foot Grumman aluminum canoe, which weighs 85 pounds, and occasionally pipe, up to a couple of hundred pounds and sometimes 21-foot lengths. Steve

I used to have a couple of 2x4s which I notched to fit over the rack bars. I don't remember how I held them down, but I did carry a large steel beam up there which must have weighed 400 pounds. It was heavy enough that sitting on one side of the car near the rail it made the car pretty lopsided even with the leveling system!

I took it nice and easy coming home.

What to use for replacement bars in the roof racks
 

I have a set of the roof rack cross bars, but one of the tubes
is split.

Where can I get new chrome tube that will fit the ends?
Other Ideas?????????

I have a Yakima gutter mount roof rack on my TD. Typically carry a couple of canoes and kayaks up there. I use 58" Yakima bars with 1/2 galvanized pipe in the ends as slide out extensions.

I keep seeing a TD with racks on it around town, I should flag him down some time

Fabricate.
 

I'd like to build another roof rack but for the 300TD.
A bit lighter than the Subaru one I built in the pictures.

That sucker was heavy and I didn't like the way it was
attached on the roof rack rails.

Anyone have any MB specific pictures for ideas?
I may build two and sell one to recoup costs.
Shipping would be prohibitive though.

I'm going have to be out of steel again as I no
longer have access to a tig welder. Wow, those pictures
seem so long ago. Two houses and one kid ago.

Jay

Example
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...ackonDD003.jpg


http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...ackonDD010.jpg

Hardly seems worth the effort to build a rack like that since Yakima makes the Loadwarrior and Thule the MOAB rack. They're available used on Craigslist and I think could easily be made to fit the existing rack.

Meh.
 

I sometimes don't understand why people would spend money to buy something they could make. I will probably spend more money making one than buying one, but I will have MADE it with my own two hands. That means more to me than going out and buying one. The big load warrior is good looking but it would be 500.00 shipped. Curious, Do you wrench on you own car?
You and I don't see things the same. Different strokes for different folks.

Pictures anyone? With a rack on the car?

Jay

Did you buy your car or fabricate it yourself??? :D:D

Nice looking rack on your red 'baru. I'm partial to custom homemade tools and accessories. You should see the two valve adjusting wrenches I just made for $13.