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I was scrolling BaT yesterday and came across this
I have always wanted a custom luggage set. It’s a little more necessary when you have limited cargo space, but I happen to think the S has a pretty generous trunk. One of the reasons I bought the S was for touring the country with my wife. The idea of packing up a couple duffle bags and hitting the road always puts a smile on my face. While my yellow North Face duffle sort of matches, that bag has seen the world over and is ready to be retired. I think a leather set would be nice but I don’t want to put Honda logos on it.
My wife and I are planning a tour of California this year. Since I run my hardtop practically year-round, my solution was to install a cargo box on the roof and run stiffer springs on my coilovers.
This should be the most cost effective method to increase storage capacity while also serving to evenly distribute the weight over the length of the car versus loading the weight over/behind the rear axle. Sure it would raise the center of gravity, but if you're trying to just enjoy a trip with some nice roads, it's the perfect solution.
My wife and I are planning a tour of California this year. Since I run my hardtop practically year-round, my solution was to install a cargo box on the roof and run stiffer springs on my coilovers.
This should be the most cost effective method to increase storage capacity while also serving to evenly distribute the weight over the length of the car versus loading the weight over/behind the rear axle. Sure it would raise the center of gravity, but if you're trying to just enjoy a trip with some nice roads, it's the perfect solution.
Been there, done that, respectfully disagree. Wind resistance is high, gas milage will suffer big time, and the big deal is: you can't put the top down and see some of the best driving scenery this country has to offer in California. That is the joy of the S2000. Wife and I have taken many longer trips-up to 2 1/2 weeks, and found a Surco trunk rack the way to go. (As well as careful planning for the trunk) Up and down Hwy 1 so many times, up to Canada and back down to Death Valley. Yosemite, Big Trees, Gold Country, Bristlecone Pine, Sequoia, Redwoods, Lost Coast, Pt Reyes, Carmel, the Central Valley, Coronado (home town) Northern Coast, Lassen, Hat Creek area, Lava Beds and the list goes on and on. All top down. PM me if you want some travel ideas. We got pretty good at packing the trunk, even getting room for tulips from Amsterdam and appropriate beverages. I also have a Tire Plugger and inflator to repair flats as well.
I added some oak slats to the rack keep anything from slipping through and hitting the paint. It takes a minute to put on or remove. I use some packing tap to make sure the rubber discs on the rack feet does not mar and keep the metal J hook from doing anything as well. I glued some thin rubber/plastic inside the J hooks for added insurance. Have not had any problems there. I found you do not need a tool to crank it down. Just barely snug is all you need. Great rack design and well made. It is great for bulky stuff like chairs or tents. It can hold a flat tire and in that regard, it saved the day. It was the rear tire that failed so you have to put the front tire on the rear and the spare on the front.
You do need to be aware of what is on the rack as it will really slam close if you forget or let go of it.
No worries putting the top down quickly as that is the real fun of a drop top car.
Last edited by cosmomiller; Jan 1, 2024 at 02:54 PM.
Been there, done that, respectfully disagree. Wind resistance is high, gas milage will suffer big time, and the big deal is: you can't put the top down and see some of the best driving scenery this country has to offer in California. That is the joy of the S2000. Wife and I have taken many longer trips-up to 2 1/2 weeks, and found a Surco trunk rack the way to go. (As well as careful planning for the trunk) Up and down Hwy 1 so many times, up to Canada and back down to Death Valley. Yosemite, Big Trees, Gold Country, Bristlecone Pine, Sequoia, Redwoods, Lost Coast, Pt Reyes, Carmel, the Central Valley, Coronado (home town) Northern Coast, Lassen, Hat Creek area, Lava Beds and the list goes on and on. All top down. PM me if you want some travel ideas. We got pretty good at packing the trunk, even getting room for tulips from Amsterdam and appropriate beverages. I also have a Tire Plugger and inflator to repair flats as well.
I added some oak slats to the rack keep anything from slipping through and hitting the paint. It takes a minute to put on or remove. I use some packing tap to make sure the rubber discs on the rack feet does not mar and keep the metal J hook from doing anything as well. I glued some thin rubber/plastic inside the J hooks for added insurance. Have not had any problems there. I found you do not need a tool to crank it down. Just barely snug is all you need. Great rack design and well made. It is great for bulky stuff like chairs or tents. It can hold a flat tire and in that regard, it saved the day. It was the rear tire that failed so you have to put the front tire on the rear and the spare on the front.
You do need to be aware of what is on the rack as it will really slam close if you forget or let go of it.
No worries putting the top down quickly as that is the real fun of a drop top car.
I was never a fan of convertibles so the top stays on almost 95% of the time. I want to build my wife an S2000 of her own, so her build will be the convertible. My S2000 has been essentially been an exercise in "because race car". I'll eventually end up gutting the soft top and pop on a CR/VIS tonneau cover, but for now it's just hangs out in the back collecting dust. I just want to drive on the roads. The views are great but the roads are why I'm going.
Originally Posted by Car Analogy
Also, keep in mind 400# total weight capacity. Two adults, and there isn't much left for cargo.
Any trip you're going to end up exceeding limit. How far you exceed is the question.
Not worried about that. All my money was spent overbuilding my car with better hardware (hardened rubber bushings and mounts, Öhlins, etc.) so it can survive situations like this. I'll re-spring the Öhlins for 12k/10k which should compensate for the added weight from the cargo box.
I never thought the cargo weight limit was the suspension. Rather the drivetrain. Especially clutch, diff. Obviously stop and go would be the concern there. So if long trip involves mostly highway, and not a lot of long hills, much of the concerns would be mitigated
Custom luggage
