Permanent Roof Rack Options

[PaulyWalnuts73]

Hey folks,
I picked up a used hard top and I would like to permanently mount a roof rack to the top of it so that I can utilize the roof rack not only with storage for camping, but also to be able to strap it to a hoist in my garage to lift it directly off of my 73 on my own with no issues. I plan on buying a couple of the aftermarket heavy duty support bows, drilling through the top of the hardtop, and mounting the roof rack brackets directly to those bows. Has anyone on here ever seen or done anything like this before? It seems light enough to be able to be held up as long as the weight is dispersed through the support bows. Please let me know what you folks think.

-Paul

 

[Jaxgtc]

Yakima

I thought I had seen some Yakima gutter rail mounts and actually found the on the JBG site:

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Roof-Top/products/2573/


While I was looking I found this article:

Ford Bronco Reportedly Getting Slew Of Yakima Accessories At Launch
https://www.motor1.com/news/371436/ford-bronco-yakima-accessories-launch/

Hopefully the NB will become what 3rd party accessories are to Jeep.

 

[Jaxgtc]

Yakima for the EB

Here is a pic from the JBG site:

 

[spap]

I wouldn’t use rail mounts to hoist a top from.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Your idea to use the rack to lift the top off is a good one.
You're going to need to use something to spread the weight across the ribs inside the top. Otherwise you're going to dent the top's sheet metal.

It's still doable. I picture four pieces of 1/4" thick aluminum sheet spread acrodd the ribs. The head liner should cover it up.

I have a piece of 1/4" aluminum sheet above my headliner to mount my stereo enclosure. I had to come up with a place for the CD player when the Vintage Air unit took too much dash space.

 

[PaulyWalnuts73]

Blue,
That’s a slick looking interior of your hardtop, very cool! I’m hoping to make some progress the week after the 4th. I’ll keep you guys posted and keep looking for any other ideas as well.

 

[Speedrdr]

I know it will sound kinda cheaping out, but I bought 2 rope cleats (as in for a boat) and mounted at the bottom rear of the cab. Looked a little odd, but using the cleats and running a rope under the roof at the Point where the roof meets body.
Like I said, it looks a little odd, but it is a cheap way to secure the cab to the rafters.
Randy