FJ Cruiser & roof rack usage

[johnt]

As much as I hate to do it, it's looking like I will
have to replace my Bronco in the near future. That
said, probably the leading contender for new cars
would be a FJ Cruiser (the runner ups would be a
Jeep Commander or F-250 but both have less visibility
out the front window for all 6'9" of me - and chevy/dodge
trucks are even worse).

I'm sure there's one or two of you out there that have an FJ.
If I get one, I was curious how much impact the factory roof
rack has for loading kayaks, bikes and skis? I've only ever
dealt with a standard Yakima 2 bar setup on my Bronco which
seems a bit more flexible than the factor rack on the FJ.
I'd assume you could still get 4 boats on it, is 4 bikes possible?

And as a follow up, how have you liked it?

Thanks
John

[-k-]

I don't personally have an FJ, but some friends of ours recently purchased one as their primary vehicle. They do an extensive amount of WW canoeing and rafting and I know they ended up purchasing a Yakima rack with towers and crossbars, so my guess is they did not feel it was adequate. Hope this helps some. FYI they did purchase it with the factory rack.

[routter]

I just sold mine- sweet ride indeed. Make sure you get the six-speed manual. Anyway, that rack will take a serious load. Six creekboats, some other gear, and my large friend tromping around proved no match for its burl.

BTW- If you go through with it I have the 6' thule bars, mounts, stackers and ski carriers I'd send your way for a nice price.

[Brook]

Check out this link or delete the last part of it for a more direct link to the Toyota FJ bulletin. I just know this link cause because i did all the videos for Toyota. There is a lot of info from roof racks to tires to engines and everything!

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/fjbulletin/index.html?s_van=GM_FJ_HOME_FJ_BULLETIN

good luck

Brook Aitken

[Chief Niwot]

I looked at one this weekend at the MSC Downhill races in Keystone. The rack is beefy, but I would want to add 66" wide bars to the rig, if I owned one. Not sure, if they have add on accessories that match?

[udowinkler]

Originally Posted by routter

I just sold mine- sweet ride indeed. Make sure you get the six-speed manual. Anyway, that rack will take a serious load. Six creekboats, some other gear, and my large friend tromping around proved no match for its burl.

BTW- If you go through with it I have the 6' thule bars, mounts, stackers and ski carriers I'd send your way for a nice price.

I have an FJ and I think I may be interested in your bars for my kayaks. I am not sure, but I read somewhere that Toyota has an OEM kayak rack for the FJ. I'll have to do some more research.
Any how...how much ddo you want for your FJ rack, assuming it has a kayak mount.
Udo

[yetigonecrazy]

GET AN FJ

My folks bought one when they first came out, I think theres is #402 or something, but it is an absolute gem. I rally that thing around quite a bit, whether goin campin with them or just rallyin to go boatin somewhere, it really is the perfect vehicle.

its equally at home on the interstate, passing people going uphill with the AC on and you dont even miss a beat, but then you can throw it at some pretty hardcore roads too and it will do fine. lots of space, FUN to drive.

they have the stock rack on theirs and it works great, we've strapped as many as three kayaks and two inflated duckies all vertically placed, plus a fish cat in the back, no sweat. the racks are a weird setup, the middle bar is higher than the back or front sou have to decide to "lean" shit forward or back. weve done both ways but i think the forward works much better if youre goin anywhere with speed. I dont even know if factory bars are that necessary but i guess they could be nice...?