NightCrawlers Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 I ordered a 2 rod RacARod roof rack for my 4Runner. Spoke with Hal he told me there's a few different ways to mount it. I haven't bought crossbars yet so before buying anything does anyone have any experience for the sturdiest install? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPO Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Hal just built a rack for me. I recommend Thule as I think Hal will to. If you go to their website they have a fit guide, plug in all the info and it tells you exactly what you need. I have the 480 traverse kit with the 58" square bars. Each vehicle requires a different fit kit in most cases. Then have Hal check the info and you should be good. I actually went out to flea bay and found a seller who sold used equipment. Everything they sold me was practically new and I saved a couple hundred dollars. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron318 Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 I mounted my Rac a rod on Rhino Bars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightCrawlers Posted February 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 Thank you gentlemen. I’m narrowing it down to Yakima or Thule. Trying to see what’ll fit the truck best. Hal mentioned having to drill small holes with one route which I kinda wanna avoid. Your roof looks great JPO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HKJonathan Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 I also used the Thule bars, no drilling required. One thing you should know is that the less expensive square Thule bars will whistle quite loudly while you are driving. I solved the problem by wrapping the bars in some foam for hot water pipes and zip tying them on. The Rac a Rod is really the best way of carrying the rods on your car/truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfratiam Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 Used shims to keep get it level. Has worked out great for 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddleTail Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 If you grab the Thule roof rack with the Thule aero blade bar he can make custom brackets for you. I love mine it’s great work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1fishr Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 On 4/1/2018 at 4:57 PM, Surfratiam said: Used shims to keep get it level. Has worked out great for 2 years. Could you repost your solution? I was battling this problem for 2 hours to no avail! I’m trying to mount a 2 rod Racarod using 4 point Thule ski/snowboard mounts. The vehicle is a Impreza hatchback with dealer installed cross bars and roof rails. What’s the trick to leveling the front and rear racarod holders? I’m really going nuts with this. Help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfratiam Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 (edited) 13 hours ago, D1fishr said: Could you repost your solution? I was battling this problem for 2 hours to no avail! I’m trying to mount a 2 rod Racarod using 4 point Thule ski/snowboard mounts. The vehicle is a Impreza hatchback with dealer installed cross bars and roof rails. What’s the trick to leveling the front and rear racarod holders? I’m really going nuts with this. Help! Hi I forget where I purchased the Shim stock. I googled metal slotted shim and this stuff popped up and its what I used. Grainger sells it, Amazon has some. Hope this helps (I'm a hack, but it worked, took the pics today) The part with the rod seats needed two different shims, the rod hold down part just needed one shim. Edited June 16, 2019 by Surfratiam D1fishr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1fishr Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 17 mins ago, Surfratiam said: Hi I forget where I purchased the Shim stock. I googled metal slotted shim and this stuff popped up and its what I used. Grainger sells it, Amazon has some. Hope this helps (I'm a hack, but it worked, took the pics today) The part with the rod seats needed two different shims, the rod hold down part just needed one shim. This is great, thanks! I should of known I was going to run into this problem with the roof shape and the crossbars tapering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1fishr Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 19 mins ago, Surfratiam said: Hi I forget where I purchased the Shim stock. I googled metal slotted shim and this stuff popped up and its what I used. Grainger sells it, Amazon has some. Hope this helps (I'm a hack, but it worked, took the pics today) The part with the rod seats needed two different shims, the rod hold down part just needed one shim. Looks good. Did you attach the Racarod directly to the crossbars? I am using that Thule ski holder bracket set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfratiam Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 5 mins ago, D1fishr said: Looks good. Did you attach the Racarod directly to the crossbars? I am using that Thule ski holder bracket set. I’m not familiar with that Thule racket set. I bolted the Racarod directly on my crossbars. So The Racarod was level the one side against the cross bar, the other was in the air. I inserted the shims so the side that was in the air was now supported by the shims (the shims are only under the side that was in the air). Then tightened the bolt/nut and made sure the shims were solidly in place. Being a hack, it worked out great (I got lucky). D1fishr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garrr Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 I used old shock absorber rubber bushings I had laying around to level my Rod Rack, worked great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmatt Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 I did the Thule square bars and screwed the rack directly to the bars with the nut on top. Makes it a little harder to steal as you need small wrench to unscrew the nut instead of just grabbing vice grips or plyers. Also if your buggy is high and reaching your fishing rods is a challenge this is probably the lowest way to install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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