Gas time is a pain with them covering the cap.
t top luggage rack bracket
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
t top luggage rack bracket
i have just bought a set of the brackets to put on the luggage rack to carry the t tops
my question is - how secure is the supplied strap/s?
does anybody use / do anything else to hold them on?
should i be worried?
any pics / suggestions greatly appreciated
my question is - how secure is the supplied strap/s?
does anybody use / do anything else to hold them on?
should i be worried?
any pics / suggestions greatly appreciated
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 1
From: Coconut Creek FL
I use an aftermarket set and no problems. Your luggage rack should have the little nibs on the bars to hold the clamps in place though otherwise they slide with the weight of the tops allowing it to loosen up.
I also used a bungee cord around the entire thing the first few times on the road. After a road test and the straps held with no movement the bungees came off.
Insert the straps into the clamps as the directions show. The design holds everything in place. Even though it looks like it will all fall off the first time you hit the brakes or turn!
You may want to install everything and do a test run around your street and check the tension on the straps. Then drive a little more and check it again.
It's cool not to have the tops in the back of the car on a nice sunny day, but your rear view out the back is blocked a bit by the tops on the rack.
I also used a bungee cord around the entire thing the first few times on the road. After a road test and the straps held with no movement the bungees came off.
Insert the straps into the clamps as the directions show. The design holds everything in place. Even though it looks like it will all fall off the first time you hit the brakes or turn!
You may want to install everything and do a test run around your street and check the tension on the straps. Then drive a little more and check it again.
It's cool not to have the tops in the back of the car on a nice sunny day, but your rear view out the back is blocked a bit by the tops on the rack.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
My 77 has the original luggage rack from factory. It came with the nubs on it. I am unsure of the after-market types. Make sure the nubs are there. That is what holds the brackets and the strap ends in place. I use it 85% of the time. Had the car up to 100 twice on the highway with no worries. They don't budge if you have them installed correctly. I admit, it does look skeptical, but they work!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 5
From: N.Richland Hills Texas
There's another thread in here about them also... Mine don't move, I don't have the tabs but the screws and clamps are very tight. I moved them all the way forward to try to keep some airflow from getting under them .... I too used bungee cords for awhile... What I did change was the buckle... If it's tight enough to hold it's too tight to take off for adding gas ... I had velcro sewn on so now I just feed through the buckle and and press the hooks and loops... Been great for several years....
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 6
From: Chester Virginia
Mine came with naughahyde bags for each t top. The p.o. kept them flat on the back shelf but I keep them in the garage on a shelf and have a folding, portable quick top for leaving the car instead. On the luggage rack I did not put the brackets but lay the t tops in their bags on then use four ROK motorcycle straps which are a combination of elastic and nylon that motorcycle guys use as I do. They are excellent.
http://www.amazon.com/ROK-Straps-Adj...2737345&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.com/ROK-Straps-Adj...2737345&sr=8-2
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
has anybody thought about making brackets for the outside edge to use the t tops own latches?
dont get mine delivered till early next week, so just thinking out loud...
or am i
thanks
dont get mine delivered till early next week, so just thinking out loud...
or am i
thanks
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
well i got my brackets, NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL 
shows strap attachment as per supplied paperwork
but, if i have it as above, does this not scratch the paint?
front bracket needs a little tweaking
but the rear is not even close
it will need a lot of re-work/bending
the rack has the pins already
but the bracket still twists around
there was so much plastic dip on them, that the screws would not even line up with the hole when in position
the slot for the tangs is so small that the tips only just go in and wont allow the tops to touch the vertical stop
am i expecting too much from these, or am i missing the basics?
if i didnt live on the other side of the world i would send them back !
i was going to design/make my own, wish i did now to save the money (190$)
shows strap attachment as per supplied paperwork
but, if i have it as above, does this not scratch the paint?
front bracket needs a little tweaking
but the rear is not even close
it will need a lot of re-work/bending
the rack has the pins already
but the bracket still twists around
there was so much plastic dip on them, that the screws would not even line up with the hole when in position
the slot for the tangs is so small that the tips only just go in and wont allow the tops to touch the vertical stop
am i expecting too much from these, or am i missing the basics?
if i didnt live on the other side of the world i would send them back !
i was going to design/make my own, wish i did now to save the money (190$)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
The holes will line up once the brackets are tweaked! The rubber is to prevent sliding and scratching. It will not touch the paint if buckled correctly. The metal buckle does not have any contact. And when you go to loosen it the buckle folds back onto the belt. So there is no issue of scratches. Trust me they work! Like I said 100 MPH on interstate I-95. Twice. I use them all the time.
The brackets do need tweaking, but that is common.
The brackets do need tweaking, but that is common.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 5
From: N.Richland Hills Texas
Mine does not have the pins... Like I posted already I slid mine all the way forward.. I opened the "clamps" some, positioned the brackets then closed it so the screw lined up with the nut/hole ... I did have to twist them some but they work great... You can see the tabs sticking through the slots in your rearview mirror. I put marks on the edges so I get them and the strap in the correct spot the first time.. I have a wrist sweat ban around the buckle...
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 1
From: Coconut Creek FL
The holes will line up once the brackets are tweaked! The rubber is to prevent sliding and scratching. It will not touch the paint if buckled correctly. The metal buckle does not have any contact. And when you go to loosen it the buckle folds back onto the belt. So there is no issue of scratches. Trust me they work! Like I said 100 MPH on interstate I-95. Twice. I use them all the time. The brackets do need tweaking, but that is common.
The brackets do need tweaking, but that is common.
