I asked on here a while back about boot racks for an MX5 and didn't get too much of a response. As such, I took the plunge and bought a set of universal roof bars and went about butchering to make them fit the MX5 boot to make carrying spares a bit easier As I didn’t take any photos while doing it and as it was fairly straight forward, it’s gonna be a bit sparse as far as build threads go. Here’s how it looks on the boot: [/URL] So I’d been looking around to try and find a way to carry 4 wheels on the back of the ‘5 as I’ll be using it primarily for Autosolos and after my 1st event decided I didn’t really like using the “Boot Up” method, and the Patent Part boot rack is too far outside my price range. I know people will say “Stick them in your passenger seat” or “attach it to your roll bar” but I usually have a passenger, and don’t have a roll bar at the moment, so wanted to try a cheap alternative. £20 eBay purchase: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252529331619 Make sure they have this kind of attachment (the sort made for 5 door cars with no roof rails): [/URL] Drilled out the old rivets holding the bracket on to release: [/URL] I did this on BOTH sides so I could get the measurement across the boot. I attached the feet to the brackets and the ratcheted it to the boot and measured the gap (780mm) Note: if I was to do it again I’d aim for between 700-750mm bar length as at 780mm and there isn’t much left on the ratchet mech. You could get away with just taking one side off to make life a bit easier. I measure the bar, marked with masking tape and took a hacksaw to it. Once you have the length sorted you need to match these holes onto the new shorter end: [/URL] I used masking tape to make a template, moved it across and drilled out the rectangle, and the filed to smooth. The large rectangle is where the ratchet feeds through so need to make sure it fits! Also note the little “nicks” in the channels, you need to make sure these are done otherwise the bracket won’t fir on properly. (Note: I only had a basic tool kit, but if i had a dremel would have been a lot easier.) Once you’ve done all this do a test fit, then rivet back together. I only did this yesterday (17/04/2017) and have taken them off until I clean the car so it doesn’t trash the paint, but here’s how it looked. [/URL] [/URL] Test fitting gap for the wheels to sit in (Will be strapped together and to the bar when actually in use) [/URL] [/URL]
Well done! Love seeing cheap solutions to common problems. Shows use of the grey matter instead of the wallet So the boot can open and shut with the racks in place? Obviously much easier / only with no wheels in place And can be completely removed and doesn't scratch the paint on the boot or quarter panel? I'm thinking about something like this for the S13 but have had the boot resprayed so don't want to mess it up
I've only done a test fit with it so far, but yes completely removable, and the this does open and shut with the racks in place. Wouldn't try with the wheels on as it would more than likely trash the clamps and boot mech having that much excess weight at the angles... The feet hopefully shouldn't damage the paint, but it might be an idea to put some form of foam on the bottom for extra protection. The clips are hooked onto a ratchet and they have foam in the curve of the hook and plastic covering the metal parts. They are made to fit into the door shuts on a 5 door and to sit on the roof so hopefully they should be alright at protecting the paint, although someone in another forum did say the feet had rubbed the paint on the hard top on his mx5. Pretty sure if you keep the bodywork clean under any parts where the rack meets the body it will reduce the chance of wear, but if you're hauling wheels on it, the weight act of gravity moving them forward and back as you accelerate and brake will probs result in a little wear over time. It's going to be middle of next month before i trial them properly, but i might just throw them back on and just try them round locally to make sure everything is alright
