Surco Safari Rack

USFireman

USFireman

New member
Hey all! I've been looking into getting a roof rack and have searched the site quite extensively and THINK I have finally decided on the Surco Safari Rack. My question is in regards to size. The Surco rep I contacted recommended the 45x60. My concern is my sunroof. I know it doesn't interfere with it, but I don't really want it to hang over the sunroof. The rep advised me to measure from the furthest back mounting point forward 60", but that puts it a good 6" over the sunroof. That measuring point seemed excessive. Common sense dictates that it would hang over the back from the mounting point, right? Anyone have one of these mounted with a sunroof that could let me know if it covers the sunroof at all? I also noticed that they don't have a fairing of any type available for it. For those of you that have one, is this a problem in the noise department? I appreciate any comments!
 
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I bought one of these about 3 years ago when I had a jeep grand cherokee. Go to http://www.accessconnect.com and see their chart for a size chart. They were and still are the cheapest place I've found for those racks, and its free shipping. Overall I was very happy with my rack... its definitely strong and a quality product.
 
Send a PM to Lee, he has a 3rd gen with a sunroof and surco rack. I don't think he has any issues with the rack.
 
nope, mine stops short of the sunroof

when youre in the truck not moving you cant even tell its there unless you look backwards through the sunroof
 
tarheeltp17,
Thanks for the link. I actually found it cheaper on Summitracing.com. $159.95. Even with a shipping & handling charge its still a little cheaper.
 
Lee,
Do you know what size yours is? The link tarheeltp17 me shows the 45x60 as the right size, so I think I'm good. How's the noise level with no fairing? I remember seeing somewhere that you could fabricate your own, or modify another company's to fit. Any ideas? Thanks!
 
Good deal. I couldn't find any automotive shop around when I was searching that could come anywhere close to online prices. Most wanted 250+ for the rack.
 
USFireman said:
Lee,
Do you know what size yours is? The link tarheeltp17 me shows the 45x60 as the right size, so I think I'm good. How's the noise level with no fairing? I remember seeing somewhere that you could fabricate your own, or modify another company's to fit. Any ideas? Thanks!
Click to expand...

no idea offhand, but i can measure for ya.

noise is fine, it clanks as the panels hit the crossbars here and there, so i used the soft side of velcro to quiet it.

another option is running a long bead of silicone to act as a sort f rubber barrier.
 
Lee,
That'd be great if you could measure it for me. I'd sure appreciate it. If yours is a smaller size could you measure how much more room you have until it encounters the sunroof? Thanks again!
 
Hey guys, let me know how it goes with dim and installation. I wanna do the same set up with it behind the sunroof. It does look sweet with the rack and mounted lights. Thanks
 
Thought I'd update. After measuring the roof I think the 45x60 will be a tight fit. I have 62 1/2" from the back (with the rear gate open) to the rear of the sunroof. Seems pretty tight. I also did some more research (SEARCH really does work!) :D and found out that Lee had purchased his Surco from a guy on Yotatech and with MORE SEARCHing found out that it is a 45x50. So, long story (kinda) short, I'm gonna go with the 45x50. I don't need the rack so much for storage, though I will use it for that, as I do for mounting lights. I also think the larger rack might look too big. Just my personal opinion.

BTW...the 45x60 rack on Summitracing.com is $159.95 whereas the 45x50 is $167.95. BUT, there is a handling charge for the 45x60 and not the 45x50. SO, in the end the 45x60 ends up a dollar cheaper. Funny, eh?
 
Post a pic of it when you get it installed. I'd like to see how it looks on yours.

The only grief I have w/ the Surco is how high it sits on the roof. It's not low profile at all. You end up getting what looks like 3-4 inches of room between the bottom of the rack and the top of the roof.

I have heard of others who run Surcos have created low profile mounts to keep the rack lower to the roof. So if the height issue bothers you, you might wanna go that route. Otherwise, it you like the way it sits, leave it be.

:EDIT:
I did a quick SEARCH and found this old thread when Lee put his on and took some quick pics:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19091


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I saw other's postings about the height, too. I'm not too worried about the height right now, but it is a consideration on the trails. I haven't done much wheeling around this area yet to see if it'll be a problem. I have a garage I'd like to put it in, but that is home to my '68 Firebird!

I'll post some pics when I get it mounted. I ordered it late last night so I figure I won't have it for at least a couple weeks. I'm also going to be ordering some lights for it. Looking at Hella 500 Driving Lights for the front and fogs for the back. Gonna look at mounting my cb antenna up there, too.
 
i wouldnt put the cb antenna up there, thats just sticking it in harms way! hahah

congrats on the purchase
 
Ooooo I want one! Just paid for books for college so that set me back a little(':dammit:'). Gunna have to wait. Haven't got anything big for the runna lately so this will be its present. :dammit:
 
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