Re: gutter mounts

[Tom Mandera <tsm1@domain.elided>]

On Wed, 9 Dec 1998, William Cunningham wrote:

> I have a pile of Yakima Rack pieces/parts I can root through.
> I will be gone for four days so I can't tell you what I have for awhile.

What the ski rack has, is some metal pieces attached via a thin piece of 
metal "strap".. seems to have a little stretch to it.. the end of these 
pieces is curved to make a wide, flat, "hook".. presumably to attach to a 
Subaru or some other lesser make of car that's smaller across than my 
Scout.. since the "hooks" make it no where near the edge of the hardtop.

I picked the ski rack up as an impulse buy at the ski swap a month or so 
ago.. it was $10.. I could always give it away or toss it if I can't MAKE 
it work.. ;-)

I bought a "gutter tie-down strap kit" at the hardware store.. almost 
what I wanted, but the "gutter clips" were obviously not designed for a 
Scout II's top.. they're more to go around the *side* and barely touch 
UNDER the gutter.. on the SII of course, I want the clip to go UNDER the 
gutter, over the side, IN on top, and then go up.  The SII top is 
"taller" from the gutter than most rigs (or so it seems, seeing the 
design of the clips) and squarer.  Like I said.. I want a "d" with the 
back part of the "o" cut out.

I don't have the factory luggage rack or I'd use it in some manner.

I also figure someone else out there wants to strap something to the top 
of their Scout.. I can't be the first person wanting such a designed 
"clip" to use.. 

Just a piece of strap with 3 bends in it would do the job.. 

> Why not just pop-rivet the bugger on and be done with it? we *are*
> talking a "winter only" top are we not?

<grin>  I thought of that.. or of just welding/bolting "clips" to the 
gutter to anchor the ski rack.. permanently affixing the "clip" is plan 
B.  Actually, I think two holes drilled near each other through the 
gutter would work great.. just loop some steel cable through the two 
holes and back up, then put the cable U-bolt on it.  voila.  I'd just 
like to avoid any *permanent* modifications to the hardtop if I can help 
it.. 

As for pop-rivets to the top.. great idea, Willy.. but next year when I 
go Christmas Tree hunting, and someone *isn't* handy with a pickup, I 
think I'd want to be able to take the ski rack *off* to make it easier to 
lash a few trees to that hardtop..

I guess I need to swing by the fabricator's and ask what it'd take for 3 
bends on the brake and four pieces of strap.. it's a simple design I'm 
after.. I just want the clips to hold themselves on when I tighten the 
turnbuckle down...

-Tom