Thule roof rack works on 370Z

MKZZ · 03-21-2012, 05:03 PM

For those 370Z owners who want to take more stuff with you, here's an alternative to the boofsquire rack. On a whim, I tried to fit a Thule rack from my 2006 mini cooper onto my Z. Much to my surprise it was a direct fitment! The Thule option is a great alternative to buying a new (and usually unavailable) Boofsquire setup and it allows for the use of Thule's full bike carrier (such as the Sidearm or the Bigmouth) which eliminates the need to put a dirty mountain bike tire in the truck. The downsides I have found so far are the weight (Hatch will not stay open), the wind noise (but not any worse than the typical road noise). Also, when setting it up, you have to make sure the rails for the bike racks do not extend too far forward or they will scratch the roof when you open the hatch! If you are considering this option, make sure you buy the MiniCooper fit kit with a MINIMUM bar length of 50" (slightly longer would be better, but 50" will work). Hope you guys find this useful.

Check the pics for additional info. I added round magnets under the hatch springs to prevent the hatch from "bouncing" when I hit a bump.

martin82 · 03-21-2012, 05:11 PM

this is great, would be funny if we can fit 4 rims/tires for track days............

m4a1mustang · 03-21-2012, 05:18 PM

Awesome.

Drex · 03-21-2012, 05:20 PM

pretty cool

i imagine spoilers from the sport package or nismo may get in the way

brucelidat · 03-21-2012, 05:20 PM

Would the rear lip on the sport package cause any issues?

MKZZ · 03-21-2012, 05:28 PM

If you use the standard height towers you might have interference. THule makes a high-rise tower that would provide additional clearance and should clear the rear spoiler.

cossie1600 · 03-21-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin82

this is great, would be funny if we can fit 4 rims/tires for track days............

You can probably modify it, but do you really want to strap 250lbs on top of your car....

roplusbee · 03-21-2012, 06:18 PM

The NISMO wing makes this one a no-go for me, but pretty nice find. Not sure I would try it though. I would hate to rip my hatch off while driving on the highway...............

martin82 · 03-21-2012, 06:20 PM

250 pounds I wouldn't worry too much actually. I can put 2 rims inside the car and 2 outside maybe....

cossie1600 · 03-21-2012, 08:11 PM

You can definitely build a cross brace to support a tire or two, like those rally cars back in the days. I can't imagine a 65lb rim/tire is exactly easy to lift.

UNKNOWN_370 · 03-22-2012, 12:54 AM

Does it cut into the paint at all?

Mecinoid · 03-22-2012, 01:11 AM

Looks like a rocket launcher. Kewl.... You could have some real fun on the fourth of July. ;-)

Edit: Had to do it:

XwChriswX · 03-22-2012, 02:04 AM

How is Rear visibility affected...?

MKZZ · 03-22-2012, 11:12 AM

No, it does not cut into the paint. The "hooks" are rubber/plastic coated and there are rubber pads under each of the towers. Although, if I keep it on thru the summer I will probably put some protective tape under the pads to ensure the paint does not get scratched.

Nice edit with the rocket launchers!

Rear visibility is slightly effected with the rear crossbar, but not significantly.

scottIN · 03-22-2012, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKZZ

Rear visibility is slightly effected with the rear crossbar, but not significantly.

So like instead of only seeing 5% of what's behind you, you see 4%, huh?

03-21-2012, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
martin82 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 2,636 Drives: 12 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 20	this is great, would be funny if we can fit 4 rims/tires for track days............ 370ZNISMO#704 likes this.

03-21-2012, 05:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Awesome. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

03-21-2012, 05:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Drex Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 498 Drives: '11 370z MB 6MT SP Rep Power: 14	pretty cool i imagine spoilers from the sport package or nismo may get in the way __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z \| 6MT \| Magnetic Black \| Sport Package

03-21-2012, 05:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 31	Would the rear lip on the sport package cause any issues? __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

03-21-2012, 06:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 22	The NISMO wing makes this one a no-go for me, but pretty nice find. Not sure I would try it though. I would hate to rip my hatch off while driving on the highway............... __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

03-21-2012, 05:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
MKZZ Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 4 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 13	If you use the standard height towers you might have interference. THule makes a high-rise tower that would provide additional clearance and should clear the rear spoiler.

03-21-2012, 06:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
martin82 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 2,636 Drives: 12 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 20	250 pounds I wouldn't worry too much actually. I can put 2 rims inside the car and 2 outside maybe.... guru likes this.

03-21-2012, 08:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	You can definitely build a cross brace to support a tire or two, like those rally cars back in the days. I can't imagine a 65lb rim/tire is exactly easy to lift.

03-22-2012, 12:54 AM	#11 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	Does it cut into the paint at all?

03-22-2012, 01:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
Mecinoid Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Discovery Bay Posts: 234 Drives: 16 370Z Sport Wht S7 Rep Power: 6725	Looks like a rocket launcher. Kewl.... You could have some real fun on the fourth of July. ;-) Edit: Had to do it: RoshDawg, eterneSoul, TonyZ34 and 1 others like this. Last edited by Mecinoid; 03-22-2012 at 02:40 AM.

03-22-2012, 02:04 AM	#13 (permalink)
XwChriswX WFLYIDNNE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: In The Fastlane Posts: 50,648 Drives: 02 GDB WRX Rep Power: 452	How is Rear visibility affected...? __________________ Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall! R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

03-22-2012, 11:12 AM	#14 (permalink)
MKZZ Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 4 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 13	No, it does not cut into the paint. The "hooks" are rubber/plastic coated and there are rubber pads under each of the towers. Although, if I keep it on thru the summer I will probably put some protective tape under the pads to ensure the paint does not get scratched. Nice edit with the rocket launchers! Rear visibility is slightly effected with the rear crossbar, but not significantly.

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