I got my Inti rack today. After much struggle, wringing of hands, fighting with PayPal (which I didn't end up using), and waiting on Fed Ex to arrive......
It's here. There were a few scuff marks on it, but being all the way from Venezuela via Alvaro and Mudraks, I kind of expected a little scratched paint. I went out and got some flat black primer and flat black paint. I've been painting the side rails, light guard and cross braces this evening.
Tomorrow I paint the gray pieces I got from ARB previously (I had originally intended to buy an ARB rack) flat black as well. The 100 doesn't have gutters, so I have to figure out a way to mount the rack to the ARB roof mounts. My plan is to finish assembling the rack, and then remove the factory roof rail trash and install the ARB mounts. Once that's acomplished, I'll set the rack on top of the 6 mounts and see how I can fasten everything solid.
I had to buy a few things from Harbor Frieght. I got a rivet gun, and also some torx drivers. The torx drivers are required to remove the factory rails. A T15 and T30 are required. The bolts are accessable by popping the plastic covers straight up and off the rails. I also bought two bottles of medium strength thread locker to use on all my bolts which don't have nylocks.
I also wanted to say that while the side rails are made out of some somewhat small diameter tubing, it is built with quality in mind. The welding is first rate. Also, the main thing to be concerned about on a rack is what is supporting your load. All that gear is supported by aluminum. Aluminum you say? Yeah, but you have to see it. The company uses aluminum, but the way they do it is smart. Using architecture rather than brute strength. I am sure the aluminum is quite strong, but the way they built it, it's design that is giving the strength. Aluminum cross members are all rectangular tubing, and the sides and front are c-channel. All put together like a nice puzzle. As well, there are 8 wide aluminum slats for the decking of the rack. These attach to the rack and become part of the rack. All weight is set on these slats, which are supported by all the aluminum joists which cross the roof.
It's a bit of a complex piece of work, but it's smart. Someone put a lot of thought into the design of this roof rack.
Fed Ex ship weight was 105 lbs by the way.
PS- The light guard is awesome.....
PSS- Many thanks to Alvaro for making this rack possible. I owe him a steak dinner!
