Yakima Roof Rack w/ Pics
 

Finally got my Yakima roof rack installed. The only rack system that currently has a fit kit available for the FR-S or the BRZ is the Q towers rack system. For this vehicle you need the Yakima Q towers, Q91 clips, 58" crossbars, and if you desire a 50" fairing will fit as well. I previously had my rack on my 08 xB which utilizes all the same hardware except the clips. Installation instructions have not yet been updated in the Q clips I received but after a quick call to Yakima, I had instructions and a picture in my email. Fit notes/measurements from them are as follows:

Vehicle: SUBARU BRZ
Year Range: 2013-2013
Fit Type: Top
Factory Rack: Naked Roof
Weight Limit: 100
Tower/Attachment: Q Towers
Crossbar Length: 58" CrossBars
Recommended Fairing: 50" Fairing
Front Clips/Landing Pads: Q91-A
Rear Clips/Landing Pads: Q91-A
M measurements:
M1: 42 ¾”
M2: 4”
M3: 43 ¾”
M4: 18”
Fit notes:
31. Maximum allowable weight load is 100 lbs.
54. When open, sunroof may interfere with some accessories.
81. Any load extending beyond the length of the roof (except luggage boxes) must be secured to both the front and rear of the vehicle, in addition to the rack. The total weight of the racks and loads must not exceed Yakima's weight limit for that vehicle's factory rack.
95. Maximum load is bikes, skis, and/or a BasketCase.
187. Boa bike mount will not work due to crossbar spread limitations.

Installation was very straight forward, it takes a little messing around to get the back cross bar to sit nicely though I'm still not 100% sold on it. Also, make sure you seat the clips underneath all the way underneath the window gasket otherwise you run the risk of the door glass contacting and rubbing when it rolls up. The clips hook around the black trim piece in between the body and window. Time will tell how this holds up. I might try and track these pieces down and have replacements in reserve but they should hold up just fine. Overall I'm pleased and will be leaving it on full time unless issues arise. Now for the pics..

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/u...-22-09_514.jpg

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/u...-22-25_460.jpg

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/u...-22-40_968.jpg

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/u...-22-53_884.jpg

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/u...-23-35_804.jpg

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/u...-23-56_432.jpg

for the love of everything in life, please put a bike on there

Awe give me a hug :lol:

Unfortunately my bike is i the garage which happens to not be close to my condo (thank you management for your brilliancy). Next time I'm over there I'll throw it up on the rack and snap a pic. It will make few appearances up there but I hate putting shit in the back of a car and listening to it slide around. That and i paid less than dealer cost for all of it so I figured why not?? Hopefully these cars do decent in the snow so I can take it snowboarding this winter

Now, the car just looks ugly.

Also, theres a video of Subaru testing their BRZs on the snow and how it handles. Im sure youll be fine driving it on the snow. I personally wouldnt.

This makes me extremely happy. I was worried about having to give up mountain biking for awhile when I got my BRZ. :D

thanks for sharing! My hubby wants to get the same Yakima roof rack for his Scion xB but I'm personally worried about the installation and if it will leave marks or anything on the car over time.

Pics with bike or surfboard?

Now it's only a short time before we start seeing slammed FR-S's on Rotiforms or BBS's with fixies on the roof, lol

thats so crazy!! i love it!!! congrats

It will definitely leave marks over time. You can put a little section of clear bra under each foot if you plan on leaving it on there for long periods of time to keep from damaging the paint.

Otherwise, keep the car waxed and the feet clean for each install...

-Charlie

Except it will be my road bike :evil: And it will be red rotiforms if i have my way and someone doesn't veto the color..

I'm gonna try put a kayak on top

Awesome, this is what I needed to see. Looks good and useful.

Try planking on it.

I think for purposes of attaching a bike (or 2), I'd probably go with those small lightweight trailer hitch attachments. I've done that before on other sports/sporty cars and it worked out well. Of course, with the roof rack you can put storage pods, etc.

:thumbdown:Not the FR-S, roof racks are for Subaru's.:bonk:

Roof racks are for people who need to transport gear on their car. Since when does that depend on the type of car?? :slap:

It will do fine in the snow with proper tires and intelligent driving. I drove my72 Camaro SS for years in the snow to go skiing and that car had the exact opposite of traction control. LOL

Nice job!

I just threw up in my mouth. Yuppie-spec

I would also prefer to go with a trailer hitch bike rack, but does anyone even make a trailer hitch for our cars?

i like it, would love to see this kind on the frs

http://matthewvroom.com/images/5_1_3boofsquiref.jpg

^^

+1

i really think the FRS could utilize a trunk to roof design more than a roof only.

i was looking at the "SEASUCKER" units, you put the wheel bar on the trunk and the fork attachment on the back of the roof. But 600 bucks is a lot of coin to spend on a hunch.

go away

Thanks Nubbsy.
Any info on installation time/uninstall time?
I would only use it for 2 or 3 yearly road trips.

From the photos, I'm guessing that the 48" bars are just a little too short. Did the end caps come installed on the bars, or are they hard to remove? If not, I might shorten the 58" bars to be flush with the towers (using a pipe cutter or hacksaw).

Having written that, it looks fine as is. I plan to add a rack in the Spring.

I'd also rather have a class 1 trailer hitch, but I don't think one will fit. Even a smaller muffler is in the way:

http://www.advancespeedshop.com/images/T70166-BRZ.jpg

With something like this, maybe it could be done, but you'd still need to cut into the plastic and eliminate or relocate the fog reflector:

http://scionpro.com/images/F48559794.jpg

So, it IS still a Subaru after all... I need to find a Thule solution, I've got a whole roof rack system from a previous car, hopefully I only need a set of clips. I'll probably put pieces of clear protective film under the feet if I use it on this car.

another thread was discussing a temporary rear bike rack that would screw into the two tow hook locations...

You could easily shorten the bars up after you have it fine tuned. I simply roughed mine out and threw it up there. You could most likely get away with 48" cross bars, the distance between the rear towers is just over 43" which leaves a little under 2.5" inside the rear tower. I'd personally just go with the 58" bars and cut them flush which is what I'll do before it goes back up. And clear vinyl where the feet go to prevent wear and tear. If mounted on a clean roof not removed regularly, wear will be minimal if any. Still a cheaper investment to just protect your paint from the start than fixing it later on.

Ditto. I thought my Jackson rockstar might fit inside, (it fits in a fiat 500, 2dr civic, Saturn sl1 and other small cars) but it doesn't. Maybe a medium or small would, but not the large. On the roof is probably better anyway.

That's pretty awesome.

Making the car work for your needs is what it's about.

@ NUBBS: any problems so far?
@ FOOBAR: no hitch; UHAUL says maybe Oct/Nov & say if you drive to Phoenix they'll fabricate a prototype FREE

Well I'm not waiting.
 

Got a scrap yard hitch off a 97 Toyota van, cut the frame mounting ends from it, drilled holes through it to bolt to 2 eyebolt/towhooks from scrapped WRXs.
It's at my powder coater now.

Just have to figure out where to connect the brake lights to the trailer wiring, the turn signals and running lights are done.

Nice that is exactly what I'm hoping to do over the winter, but I have some friends who can weld so I may have to commission them to help with the assembly...

I can see it now towing my Go Kart to the track with my FRS
like this.
http://www.pbase.com/pb12/image/55719732/large.jpg

Not For Purists
 

The Yakima roof rack (with ends of bars cut off) is functional & my bike is happy on it. The esthetics po-lees have not pulled me over yet.

I bought a SeaSucker rack a month or so ago. It works flawlessly. I've driven from Toronto to Ottawa (4.5 hours) doing 130km/hr almost the entire way with no issues at all. Takes a few minutes to install and 30 seconds to remove.

I can't stand the look of these clunky racks on top of a sports car. I'd be afraid of scratching the paint.

Picture with and without bike please (:

How's the roof rack treating you so far?