Low profile roof racks

[toobladink]

I want to revive this topic for two reasons, I see a lot of old posts but no pictures for reference (it just shows IMG4365.JPG and not an actual picture) and since then, a lot of new really low profile racks have come out. I've been seeing stuff on Toyotas that sit like a half inch above the roof and are maybe two inches tall at most. This is ideal for me because I just want to strap down a folding table to my roof for camping, maybe a few extra things but I don't need a giant roof basket.

Here is a picture for reference, and believe it or not, I have seen some that are smaller. Does anyone know of any up to date info on something like this for 2nd gen explorers? Does anyone actually sell anything that is pretty low profile and/or light? Or anyone that might sell something we can fit similarly with some fitment? I would prefer aluminum for weight.

 

[toypaseo]

If you are looking for a lower profile basket, the Yakima Basketcase is a lighter weight and shorter unit. I had one in the past that I got used off Craigslist or at a swap meet. Sample pics of it mounted low on a Honda Element…

 

[toobladink]

If you are looking for a lower profile basket, the Yakima Basketcase is a lighter weight and shorter unit. I had one in the past that I got used off Craigslist or at a swap meet. Sample pics of it mounted low on a Honda Element…

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I didnt even know something like that was a thing, that looks exactly like what i need! Do they make em in just that one size?

 

[toypaseo]

I think they only came in one size. They are discontinued, so even finding one might be difficult…

 

[toypaseo]

There are numerous “low profile” roof baskets available that are not as tall as your typical Loadwarrior …

 

[toobladink]

There are numerous “low profile” roof baskets available that are not as tall as your typical Loadwarrior …

do you have any suggestions? how was that one mounted, it looks like it was just tied down?

i'm starting to just lean towards making one out of aluminum electrical conduit and securing it with hose clamps. i don't care how it looks, i just want to fit a folding table on the roof and secure it when i go camping since it takes up the majority of my trunk space, prevents me from comfortably tent camping with four people which i am trying to do later in the year when the weather is nice

 

[Blown]

I found some nice aluminum and made my own low profile crossbars. I was able to order them cut to custom length to fit. You may only need two. I got the right size metric bolts to fit the square nuts in the stock roof tracks and cut them to length. I drilled the crossbars for mounting to the tracks. I bent them to the crown of the roof by standing on them with a bar under the middle. You could add blocks to lift them over the crown. You can add tie-down brackets, eyes, etc to the tracks or crossbars with additional nuts and bolts. They had plastic end caps as well. This is what I used:

1" x 2" OD Aluminum Oval

This Racetrack Aluminum Oval is 1" x 2" OD. The 2" wide oval extrusion features two screw receptor holes designed for threading with a 1/4-20 thread (threading service is not included). This oval aluminum tubing extrusion features a beautiful curved shape while providing a large interior chamber...

www.testritealuminum.com

I'll get you a pic or two, much cheaper than welded-up expensive aluminum racks.

 

[Blown]

The crossbars where $26 each new, but you might find some cheaper stock at your local metal recycling place. With the pieces I ordered, you could secure side bars with screws into the ends of them if you want. I kept mine basic to mount the cargo box and they can slide to fits items.

 

[toypaseo]

@toobladink… I don’t know anything about the way it was mounted. Just pics found online of the basket.