Gobi Rack Rant

[shays4me]

I'm a little irritated by Gobi Rack and it's enough of an issue I thought I'd post it here so others don't fall in the same pit that I'm currently in. I ordered a roof rack for my current JK a month ago after checking out the installation instructions Gobi had posted on their page. Everything on the Gen 3 rack looked good, so I called Northridge and gave them my money to get in line for the long wait. Being the OCD person I am I started looking around at install videos on youtube as I had time. I came across one video that had a completely different rear bracket setup. It looked like it was engineered by a two year old! The instructions on Gobi's site showed a frame mount bracket that attached where the bumper did and the video showed one that was several parts that assembeled and bolted to the body with some drilling required to make them fit. I wasn't sure what was up with this so I contacted Gobi and a week or so later got a reply that the design had changed and it was "stronger than ever". I guess my rant is that they need to better represent the product they are selling! If I'd been aware of the change in the rear mount I would have been better informed in my decision. As it stands now, I'm a month into the wait list, no one is wiling to cancel my order even though it's still at least 60 business days out, and I'm set to receive a rack that I more than likely won't end up using. Buyer beware! If you want a Gobi rack, submit a question, wait a couple weeks for them to call and then make sure you are getting the product that is advertised!

 

[Superduty]

If you paid with credit card, simply cancel the order.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[rubicon91]

I'm a little irritated by Gobi Rack and it's enough of an issue I thought I'd post it here so others don't fall in the same pit that I'm currently in. I ordered a roof rack for my current JK a month ago after checking out the installation instructions Gobi had posted on their page. Everything on the Gen 3 rack looked good, so I called Northridge and gave them my money to get in line for the long wait. Being the OCD person I am I started looking around at install videos on youtube as I had time. I came across one video that had a completely different rear bracket setup. It looked like it was engineered by a two year old! The instructions on Gobi's site showed a frame mount bracket that attached where the bumper did and the video showed one that was several parts that assembeled and bolted to the body with some drilling required to make them fit. I wasn't sure what was up with this so I contacted Gobi and a week or so later got a reply that the design had changed and it was "stronger than ever". I guess my rant is that they need to better represent the product they are selling! If I'd been aware of the change in the rear mount I would have been better informed in my decision. As it stands now, I'm a month into the wait list, no one is wiling to cancel my order even though it's still at least 60 business days out, and I'm set to receive a rack that I more than likely won't end up using. Buyer beware! If you want a Gobi rack, submit a question, wait a couple weeks for them to call and then make sure you are getting the product that is advertised!

I had a gobi rack there was not any drilling not clue when they would have changed the design. I would definitely just cancel the order with Northridge and if it was by CC dispute it through them if you cannot get it cancelled.. I have never found them to be anything but top notch with their service. I order most of my items through them. Since the design is changed I would look for a used one off CL.

 

[shays4me]

Yeah, I called Northridge this morning and was even prepared to spend my refund with them on other needed items, but they said no can do. I emailed them after and they replied to that as well but it looks like I'm just out. Gobi can't figure out what I'm upset about. I guess if I order a beef burrito and they change it to chicken I should just be happy because they say it's better. That may be totally oversimplifying it but I think changing the way you mount a rack is a big change! The purchase was a month ago and it was out of my bank account so I'm not sure if debit cards have the same rules. I don't use credit cards. Either way I'd prefer to just fix it through the vendor or manufacturer and not have to go to the bank. I like Northridge, they're close and I was planning to do the rest of my Jeep build through them....but we'll see.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Not that it has anything to do with your ability to get a refund, but where are you having to drill now? I bought the Gobi years ago thinking the no-drill would be great, only to be disappointed by the number of glue-on parts where there is body contact. At the time, I was annoyed, but the rack has been great, and I don’t ever see removing it, so I’m no longer worried.

 

[kdeleon]

That's the first time i heard of drilling on the gobi rack for the JK. Can you post the video you referring to?

 

[shays4me]

It was on the youtube video I watched. They didn't drill into the Jeep, but modified a bracket to fit the Jeep.

 

[kdeleon]

It was on the youtube video I watched. They didn't drill into the Jeep, but modified a bracket to fit the Jeep.

Interesting, i know they have a different rear bracker for some select type of bumpers. I didn't have to for mine. Drilling to make them "fit" seems like things are not lining up correctly and i for sure would be annoyed to receive a product like that.

 

[shays4me]

Interesting, i know they have a different rear bracker for some select type of bumpers. I didn't have to for mine. Drilling to make them "fit" seems like things are not lining up correctly and i for sure would be annoyed to receive a product like that.

It is concerning to me as well. I had convinced myself that the Gobi was worth the extra money because of the frame mount. I like products that mount to the frame, that's why I've used AEV tire carriers on both of my JKU's.

 

[NatersXJ6]

I suspect that the video probably wasn’t exactly accurate, and that when you get your rack, assuming you told them about your AEV bumper when you ordered, everything will line up just fine. I am curious though, if you could find the video again and link it, I would like to watch it.

 

[shays4me]

I suspect that the video probably wasn’t exactly accurate, and that when you get your rack, assuming you told them about your AEV bumper when you ordered, everything will line up just fine. I am curious though, if you could find the video again and link it, I would like to watch it.

I don't have the AEV bumper. The video is here.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Thanks for the link. I wouldn’t have drilled that. Those brackets clamp onto a pinch weld, pinch welds are imprecise at best. Start with everything loose and bolted up then tighten as you go. On mine, there is maybe a 1/8-3/16 “ difference in the tower height side to side. The bar across the top is parallel to the top so I don’t worry about it. I think they made a mistake somewhere.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

Enough to make me NOT spend my money Gobi had a similar problem with warn no spending my money there either so listen manufacturers we have choices yif you aren't going to respond and take care of your customers there are many of your competitors that will

 

[Yuke]

I had no drilling at all with my gobi. I would not use a third party video made by some kids as your source of accurate info...

 

[shays4me]

I had no drilling at all with my gobi. I would not use a third party video made by some kids as your source of accurate info...

I get that. I'm guessing they installed the bracket incorrectly but the new style bracket is overly complicated. It should be one to two pieces tops. Anyhow, I'm no longer on the list to receive one as Northridge 4x4 came through and gave me a full refund. I am so glad I made my order through them and not directly through Gobi! They've been awesome to deal with and I would recomend them based on my experience!