Roof Rack Fun

krick3tt

Adventurer
DSC04819.jpgDSC04820.jpgC

I figured it out!!! Very long way around though.

Same gage as FR metal. Traced the curve of the roof and at first mounted lower but it bounced a bit. Reconfigured top bracket to raise it a little. Used same type and size nuts and bolts as stock FR parts secured from local metric supplier. Currently painted flat black till I can have it powder coated this summer. Did remove the additional FR emblem from side of forward attachment point to allow the bracket to fit.
 
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krick3tt

Adventurer
I am sure there are a lot of roof racks with air foils. I am addressing the Front Runner roof rack only and my personal solution to the noise noticed by owners of that particular rack.
The Baja roof rack also has an air foil but, (I did not buy that one) like the ProSpeed it also has very big holes to step through when on the roof. The LR3 has a partial glass roof that cannot be stepped on, so those racks are not going to be acceptable for an LR.
 

mpinco

Expedition Leader
I am sure there are a lot of roof racks with air foils. I am addressing the Front Runner roof rack only and my personal solution to the noise noticed by owners of that particular rack.
The Baja roof rack also has an air foil but, (I did not buy that one) like the ProSpeed it also has very big holes to step through when on the roof. The LR3 has a partial glass roof that cannot be stepped on, so those racks are not going to be acceptable for an LR.

I'm referring to the design of the "air foil" and how you are converging on a ProSpeed that is tight and wrapped to the frame of the rack. Not an air foil that sticks out from the rack in a marginal attempt at redirecting air. Simply an observation for anyone who contemplates addressing wind noise with custom crafted fairings. Am I promoting Prospeed? No. Do they have a superior design? Yes.

As for overall rack design the ProSpeed does offer floors that utilize the concept of bolting on accessories.

Edit add: I have the Urban Offroad rack and added rubber tubing between air foil and rack to minimize wind induced vibration. It helped quite a lot. It is still susceptible to side winds. If I was to craft my own it will be similar to ProSpeeds.
 
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krick3tt

Adventurer
'Marginal' ... perhaps, but it works. Why are you being so insulting when you don't even have this type of rack? I am simply answering a question by another site member.
 

mpinco

Expedition Leader
'Marginal' ... perhaps, but it works. Why are you being so insulting when you don't even have this type of rack? I am simply answering a question by another site member.


LOL. Chill. I was simply commenting on ProSpeeds design vs. all the attempts at reducing noise. You know, add value? As others look through the roof rack threads most will look for how others managed noise. A suggestion.
 

krick3tt

Adventurer
There are aa few LR owners in my off road group and they might be interested in the design.. I won't sell it to them but I will give them the pattern and if they wish to make their own, I will be glad to be a consultant. I have made several things in my years of ownership of off road vehicles. When I had a MOG I developed a winch mount that has been sold by a company in CA. They had been very helpful to me in the past and I gave them the pattern that they made a few alterations in to call it their own.
I often develop things that are for my own convenience as sometimes I just can't find what I want and have to make it...of course, it often carries with it my own style that may not be what others would do, but it works for me and I will share it with those that appreciate it.
Thanks for your positive comment.
I sent a photo of it to FR in hopes that they will be able to develop something that might be beneficial to others in the off road community.
 

sunrisehiker

Adventurer
How do you figured that this is an upgrade ?
View attachment 328807View attachment 328806C

I figured it out!!! Very long way around though.

Same gage as FR metal. Traced the curve of the roof and at first mounted lower but it bounced a bit. Reconfigured top bracket to raise it a little. Used same type and size nuts and bolts as stock FR parts secured from local metric supplier. Currently painted flat black till I can have it powder coated this summer. Did remove the additional FR emblem from side of forward attachment point to allow the bracket to fit.
This looks like an upgrade to me.
 

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krick3tt

Adventurer
Did not say it was an upgrade, just how I solved my problem. You don't have to like it, it may not be for you, everyone has their own preference.
Lots of critics out there. Surest way to find them is to present an idea.
 

sunrisehiker

Adventurer
Did not say it was an upgrade, just how I solved my problem. You don't have to like it, it may not be for you, everyone has their own preference.
Lots of critics out there. Surest way to find them is to present an idea.
Well,you posted it on the open forum, so expect good and bad responses ,period.
Now...When I see a FR roof rack or any other for rack , for that matter ,except Prospeed,I see design flows or just unfinished product.When you shell out 1200 bucks for it , not counting Shipping , that could add another 100 to 200 dollars, you expect the best.Not , that is you fault , that you attempted to fix a wind noise a bit, but this should be expected from a manufacturer.You should receive a complete product , that resolves a very common issue such as wind noise.Whereas it is not a big of a deal , if you live on Nuntucket , where your average speed won't surpass 35 MPH,it is probably fine, but if you overland and cover huge distances , listening to that wind howling gets tired very quickly , especially , if you travel with wife.
I am not saying, that other designers are not practical, but the idea that everybody has to come up and experiment with wind fairing is beyond me.It is like auto maker would sell a chassis with four wheels and tell you to come up with a upper body, so you may feel comfy and so forth..Why is it so hard for Front Runner , Hannibal and Urban off road to come up with decent wind deflector ?They just sell frame work and expect everybody to finish it ? Urban off road does not even have floor , that you can walk on , as an option, and FR as well, yes yu could walk on those slots , but if you slip, your precious glass will crack .That is why Prossped is the only manufacturer , in my book, that continue to deliver product, that makes sense, period.
I have been a victim of other bull**** designs, such as ASFIR and Devon 4x4 underbody plates, that WON'T fit without re drilling holes or bend plate all together , I am tired of constantly correcting something , that suppose to work right from the start and paying premium for it.
 
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krick3tt

Adventurer
I agree with you, especially about the idea of a complete product. It did gaul me that I needed to provide something that was possibly known, by the mfgr., to be an issue.
I have several friends that have a FR rack and we all have a noise issue above 35 mph. FR does not provide a clear answer to that issue. Although I do like the low profile of their rack and most of the add-ons, this whistling issue really bothers me.

My attempt to solve an issue did bear fruit and it was a challenge to solve the issue. I felt that it worked in my favor that I have fabricated other items before and did have some design experience. My only reason at putting the resolution in a public forum was to possibly help others that may also be distressed by the problem and knowing there was not going to be a solution by the manufacturer.

There are, as you say, other roof racks that do not have as many issues, and to that end a public forum is the place to possibly extend ideas to others and have open discussion.
I was simply taken aback at the criticism and apparent negative response. It seemed to be coming from individuals that did not have this model of roof rack and that was somewhat naive of me not to expect the responses that were put forth.

...also that paying a premium thing is really a pisser.
 

dsm02c

Adventurer
View attachment 328807View attachment 328806C

I figured it out!!! Very long way around though.

Same gage as FR metal. Traced the curve of the roof and at first mounted lower but it bounced a bit. Reconfigured top bracket to raise it a little. Used same type and size nuts and bolts as stock FR parts secured from local metric supplier. Currently painted flat black till I can have it powder coated this summer. Did remove the additional FR emblem from side of forward attachment point to allow the bracket to fit.

Thanks for posting that, I figured this was something close to what you had done based on other designs. I have a trip coming up and don't have time to build this now but it will be going on for sure in the future... Nice work!!!
 

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