Mounting ideas for Surco Safari rack???

Coyotefred · **Joined:** Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:50 pm **Posts:** 36

I'm looking to buy one of the Surco safari racks to mount on my '02 KJ's stock OEM "luggage" siderails (I have no crossrails). Surco sells a set of 4 "mounting clamps" for this purpose, but there are $100--more than 1/2 of the price of the rack itself!

http://www.autoanything.com/products/pr ... amp_mounts

Surely there's another KJer or two out there who would rather spend $100 on other KJ toys than a set of clamps, and has devised another way to mount this particular rack to the OEM siderails?

'Seems to me that 6-8 larger, heavy-duty hose clamps from the hardware store would do it, although it wouldn't look as pretty. 'Probably more secure too, although you might scratch your siderails or rack up somewhat if you were bouncing around a lot. 'Could probably spray paint them with some black high-durably appliance epoxy spray paint to make them a little less ugly if you wanted...

'Any other creative ideas?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:49 pm

U-bolts, stainless steel so they wont rust with stop-nuts

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:56 pm

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

U-bolts, stainless steel so they wont rust with stop-nuts

Cover them with rubber hose so it doesn't scratch or rattle

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:00 pm

good idea, i used them to secure a Thule roof box to my dad's suburban when we took it to wyoming from minnesota, 80 mph the whole way and no problems, I recommend a thick u-bolt for the most strength.

Coyotefred · **Joined:** Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:50 pm **Posts:** 36

Great idea....that would improve the 'grip' as well, although the rubber would probably have to be replaced periodically as the sun baked it and broke it down...

Cover them with rubber hose so it doesn't scratch or rattle[/quote]

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 8:07 pm

you could coat them with rubberized undercoating, that would do both and probably last a bit longer in the sun.

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:29 pm

How dipping them in Herculiner or some other spray on bedliner? Would coat and protect as well as have a good grip...

Ben

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:13 pm

Deep six the hose clamp idea. Looks like crap, scratches everything they touch, never tighten down properly/loosen up with time and I can never figure out what to do with the ends. :evil:

Go with the coated hose clamps. If u want really nice ones, find a hardware distributer (not just a store) and get a set in black so no rust or using rubber hose worries. If not, I slip heat shrink over mine then heat it till it's nice and tight. It actually gets much harder than rubber hose and lasts longer.

Plus there is no way for water to get down inside like there is with a rubber hose. Nothing like seeing rusty water drip out of the clamps and leave stains on ure roof. :shock:

I then use stainless cap nuts (after cutting off most of the excess thread) to put on the finishing touch and also prevent that ugly, exposed threads rust. :cry:

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 1:12 am

you need to tighten the u-bolts one turn at a time alternating between sides. Use the stop nuts and rubber coating (or heatshrink) and it will be fine. I have over 6000 miles on mine (mounted to a suburban to hold a Thule box with 300-400 pounds of ski equipment) and that is mostly highway driving. No rattles, no loose bolts. U-bolts hold just fine.

Mounting ideas for Surco Safari rack???

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