FE Roof Rack and attaching grab handles

[LCOceans]

Hello,

Does anyone have any experience in attaching grab handles to the FE roof rack? I am lifted and would like something secure to hold onto when grabbing stuff off of the rack etc, but the rails on the side where you would attach handles do not seem super stable. I am also not sure where to attach the handles. I like Agency6 and I think I could fit the 7"-7.5" version but curious if anyone has experience with any brand that works on the First Edition rack and if the side rail is tough enough to handle it. Thanks in advance.

 

[DubDub]

As you probably already know, I use the Agency6 6” handles. I don’t put all of my weight on them ever, but they work well as a stabilization point.

It’s on my list to modify into a bolt through, but you know, life…

 

[wpage]

Since the rails are not that solid. You could get away with any grab handle. As mentioned too much weight on the handles will likely buckle the rail.

 

[LCOceans]

Ok thanks you guys. The thing about not putting too much weight on them is kind of worrisome but it is what it is.

 

[DubDub]

Ok thanks you guys. The thing about not putting too much weight on them is kind of worrisome but it is what it is.

You aren’t going to be doing pull-ups or anything, so making sure you have good footing solves 90% of the problem. I’ve got my replacement rack in the works so I’ve kind of been liberal with my usage of the handles. A little reserved so someone can have the opportunity to enjoy the rack after I pay it forward. I see and feel flexing putting no more than 100 lbs of upper body pulling force on it (not hanging, rather pulling down and leaning), but nothing bad has happened so far.

 

[t3lcfe]

Be careful with OEM super thin side rails. You can bend them if you are BIG and pull too much
If you need the handles on the sides of OEM roof rack, get some design that can mount on top of the side rails. Use rivet nuts for where handles to be mount.

I searched through Amazon and I found something like this (see attachment). You just need to modify a bit… I know no company designs something like that, but … we can do things with creativity
It can be cool ( no one in this planet has it

https://www.amazon.com/REFORM-DESIGN-Aluminum-Grab-Accessories/dp/B0BTDDSPG8/?tag=landcruiserforum-20

 

[t3lcfe]

In my case, instead of mounting the handles on the thin side rail of OEM roof rack, I had them on side top of my molle panels. These are not only served as handles but also for my shovel mounted.
I usually hold those when standing on top of rear tires and I am not BIG guy

 

[LCOceans]

In my case, instead of mounting the handles on the thin side rail of OEM roof rack, I had them on side top of my molle panels. These are not only served as handles but also for my shovel mounted.
I usually hold those when standing on top of rear tires and I am not BIG guy

Great idea and as always, thank you for your creative and helpful input on here.

 

[kruising]

These were much more affordable ($10) than dedicated options and fit perfectly in the spot shown on the OEM FE rack. Not as wide as others but is in the right position and thus works great for giving me something easy to grab when stepping up onto the tire.

 

[wpage]

These were much more affordable ($10) than dedicated options and fit perfectly in the spot shown on the OEM FE rack. Not as wide as others but is in the right position and thus works great for giving me something easy to grab when stepping up onto the tire.

View attachment 75021

View attachment 75022

Those will do the trick. Since the side rails will not support anything too heavy. Those appear to be all that is needed to match up and do the job.

 

[LCOceans]

These were much more affordable ($10) than dedicated options and fit perfectly in the spot shown on the OEM FE rack. Not as wide as others but is in the right position and thus works great for giving me something easy to grab when stepping up onto the tire.

View attachment 75021

View attachment 75022

Can I ask you how you bent the upper mounting bracket on the Victory side molle panel to fit the First Edition roof rack? Several on here have done it and indicate it is simple. @t3lcfe says he beat his with a hammer. My hammer beating does not do a thing! Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[t3lcfe]

Can I ask you how you bent the upper mounting bracket on the Victory side molle panel to fit the First Edition roof rack? Several on here have done it and indicate it is simple. @t3lcfe says he beat his with a hammer. My hammer beating does not do a thing! Any advice greatly appreciated!

Heavy hammer hits at the weak points / line of molle panel. Hammer head covered with duct tape to avoid scratches. If got small scratches, just lightly sanded and painted over entire the panel.
Simple enough= Yes, it is t3lcfe way

 

[LCOceans]

Hey there! Ok I think I see something from your diagram that I was missing. So you are bending the area noted above with purple line - "bend line". Not reverse bending the area already bent. You are using the (purple) line with all of those cut-outs to bend slightly?

 

[t3lcfe]

Hey there! Ok I think I see something from your diagram that I was missing. So you are bending the area noted above with purple line - "bend line". Not reverse bending the area already bent. You are using the (purple) line with all of those cut-outs to bend slightly?

Yes sir
Just bend a bit and measure…and a bit more if needed . Don’t go too far
I attach my actual panel here for your reference. Good luck, bro

 

[LCOceans]

I now see the small bend and where you placed it. Thank you for all your help on here over the past two years!

 

[t3lcfe]

I now see the small bend and where you placed it. Thank you for all your help on here over the past two years!

You may laugh hard at me…but here is the truth. I just placed it on street curb and hit with hammer. I also added a piece of plywood or 2x2 wood between panel and concrete curb.
After got all correct bend, I added a light coat of flat paint on the panel. And DONE

 

[kruising]

Can I ask you how you bent the upper mounting bracket on the Victory side molle panel to fit the First Edition roof rack? Several on here have done it and indicate it is simple. @t3lcfe says he beat his with a hammer. My hammer beating does not do a thing! Any advice greatly appreciated!

I had tried to bend it with a neighbor's small press but it just bent where there were perforations, so I took it to a local machine shop and a nice guy on lunch break put it in a press the size of a wall and bent it right where the original bend is. He had inserts that put pressure immediately on either side of the original bend. When I insisted on paying he took $20 for their donut fund. The bend he did allows for the next angle where the panel screws on to be correct, and for the panel to be parallel to the window.