Tim:  what you need are the QuickN Easy cast aluminum rack clamps.  Set of 4
for about $45 available from ]either mad River Canoe/Voyaguer in VT or by
phone through John R Sweet in Mustoe VA  Phone  540-468-2222.  He does
awesome service(not that MRC doesn't).  as far as clearance goes make your
2x4's what ever length you want and if needed, stack additional plates of
1x4 or 2x4's under the bar untill your canoe ends don't touch,,.. You can
buy 3/8" carraige bolts up to 5 or 6" in length.  I use an 8 bracket system
but I haul a lot of boats and other crap.

dimwitted Moose and Flying Squirrel
-----Original Message-----
From: Root, Tim E <Root.Tim.E@TCI.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, May 24, 1999 1:54 PM
Subject: Vanagon roof racks

>Hello, I was referred here by T. Carrington.
>I am looking for roof racks for my '84 vanagon. I need extra high clearance
>because I am carrying a twelve foot long canoe, and because it is so short,
>the ends point down into the roof instead of over the ends of the van. I
>have looked at Thule and Yakima, but those rack systems are too yuppyish
for
>me. I am more interested in function rather than fashion, and don't need
>locks. I saw some metal racks on a Vanagon in a photo on somebody's web
site
>(can't find again) that looked perfect for my application.
>Please help if you can!
>
>Thank you,
>
>Tim Root
>root.tim.e@tci.com  or  timroot@my-deja.com