Jon Hanson

The roof racks for the 924/944/968 seem to be pretty rare. Anybody know of one that might be for sale? Thanks!

- Jon Hanson

inactiveuser92616

if you are willing to go aftermarket I highly recommend looking at a Saris roof rack. I have used these, Yakima, and Thule, and the Saris came out on top for me. Only issue I have is that the rack can't use the accesories designed for the other two companies. The smallest of the Saris racks just barely fits, despite their website saying the mid size is needed to span the roof. They are a snap to put on, only takes me 3 minutes and no tools, but grip just as good as the others.

Jon Hanson

Pat, Thanks for the info. I'd seen some of your prior posts, and that option is high on my list. I gather that you used the 50" load bars (model #901) and the 010 clips? I assume so because Saris' website recommends 59" bars and 010 clips. It should be noted that I'm planning on mounting this on a 968, but I think the mounting will be the same. Do you have any pictures? I'd love to see them if so. Thanks!!!

- Jon

josephsc

There's a Rennlister who regularly keeps a bike rack on his 968 (userid: chris luckett). I know he had to be careful when opening the rear hatch b/c it will hit the bike rail -- you may want to ask him if he has had any other issues.

inactiveuser92616

Yes, I had the 50" load bars already from my previous car. You have to mildly rock the bar and clips to get them to pop into the rain gutter, but it isn't very hard. I got whichever clips they said for the 944, so probably the 010. The whole setup with bars/towers, clips, and the integral locks came to about $220 IIRC. The major caution with these bar systems is that you have to be careful on getting them tight enough, but not too tight. I rippled the roof on my geo storm (weak roof) by overtightening.

Jon Hanson

Pat,
Your setup looks really nice! That's kind of scary that the setup actually crunched a roof. You're pretty confident that the 944's roof can hold up? Do you have any close up shots of the clips? Thanks!

- Jon

luckett

I have a yakima and find that it does the job very well. It is stable and secure at 130mph with a bike on top and is very easy to remove when needed (although enough of a hassle that I leave it on unless I'm at the track).

As joe said, the bike rails overhang the rear and prevent tthe hatch from opening completely. I view it as a minor inconvenience.

It is a tight fit where the brackets fit in the door openings and causes some interference with the door's weather stripping. If your the **** type, it will bother you. I consider it a small price to pay for the utility of the rack.

inactiveuser92616

I believe that with the strength of the 944 Construction, that the the raingutters will rip off the car far before the roof itself is compromised. May be an interesting test for that parts car shell....

Porsche-O-Phile

I checked out the Yakima one at REI a couple weeks ago - looks adequate to me (I'll probably pick one up at some point). Thule makes one as well.

Z-man

I have a Thule system - works very well. I used to use them to tote my tires to the track before I got a tire trailer:



I find the trailer to be less of a hassle and less stress on the car.

-Z.

Jon Hanson

I've read that the Thule system attaches with fitkit 034. Is that what you have? I just looked on Thule's website, and it told me I need the 170 Fit Kit, so now I'm not so sure.

Z-man

Whatever their book said is the fit kit I bought IIRC it was fitkit 034. (They could have renumbered their kits though.) When I bought it, they said it was one of the last ones around, and that they were planning on discontinuing making it. I had to special order it - makes sense - not too many folks buying a Thule system for a 944 these days!

Jon Hanson

Thanks to everybody's help. I was able to pick up a stock rack, and I was delighted to find that it mated perfectly with a Thule "Weekender". When I open the hatch, the hatch glass comes to within 1/8" from the box! I should mention for future reference: Thule lists the 034 fit kit for the 944, but the 170 fit kit for the 968.

hacker-pschorr

Jon, did you sent me an e-mail about mine? I had issues replying to whatever address I received from the Rennlist message.

If it was you, yes I do have a factory rack, sorry to say I plan on keeping it.

Jon Hanson

Yeah, that was me. Seems like I got the one and only rack available. I really had to beat the bushes for this one. I sent an email to EVERY SINGLE Porsche parts department in the country, nobody's got any.