I have a carrier, a Yakima Spacecase that I want to use with my R56.

Yes, this is an old carrier. I got it used, more than a decade ago. The mounting scheme is primitive in comparison to today's carriers -- Attila probably used one of these carriers with his elephants.

New carriers are nicer, and much easier to attach and remove. The Spacecase has one big thing going for it -- it's paid for!

Two issues:
(1) Does it fit?
(2) How do we get it to stay?

Lifting it on top of the car, it will fit! Need to drill four (more) holes in it for mounting, but that's not a problem.



I adapted standard (Thule) square-headed bolts by cutting 2 1/2 inch long pieces of 1 inch wide aluminum stock, drilled and tapped for the bolts. The second piece of stock is (over)drilled to fit over the bolt. Note that the ***** have been drilled in each of the three wings to accept tie wires.



Here's the bolt and its adapter plate sitting in the rack channel. Nice fit!

Drill holes in the bottom of the carrier, slip the bolts through, and put on the top plate and ****.



And it works! Driving around, it's noisier, and I'm betting the MPG is going to drop some.

The good news: It works. It's paid for. Minimal cost and labor involved.

The bad news: Still a pain to get on and off. Got to take off the radio antenna. Can't open the boot!


Still, I'll call it success.