heckeljohn

OK, so a couple of comments, and some questions for people who have this figured out.

I finally installed the Slimline on my GX, just in time for the kids' spring break. I'm very please with both the look and utility of it. I'm buying a new BBQ this weekend, and it's nice to be able to tie it down on the roof instead of borrowing a pickup.
-Sharklet clearance is almost 1". I was worried about contact.
-I moved strut #2 back so it's flush with strut #3 and lets more light into the moonroof.


-XM radio reception goes out intermittently.
-Installing the rack is very tricky (story to follow)
-It's LOUD at speeds above 50mph

In re: the install: I installed it and drove from Los Angeles to Palm Desert without incident (100+ miles). Then, in driving from Palm Desert to the Thermal Race Club ( <20 miles), 2 of the nuts came loose and there was a horrible rattling sound. As luck would have it, one on the mechanics there had a tool that was able to tighten it down. 4 of the 10 nuts are very had to reach with a wrench, and impossible to tighten with a socket wrench.

In re: the noise: Has anyone found the sweet spot for wind deflector placement? We drove back last Saturday night when there was a wind advisory. 70 MPH on I-10 into a 50 MPH headwind near the windmills. The noise was almost unbearable. If I can't find a way to improve it, I'm going to only use the rack when I need it.

Acrad

On the noise.. I wonder if it is more than just front end wind deflection? I wonder how much the sides contribute.

Looks great though.

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

Doesn't the frontrunner come with a wind deflector?

Acrad

I know how much noise my simple Yakima LoadWarrior basket creates even with the wind deflector. I've wondered how these full length racks do.

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

I just bought a Yakima Skybox 16, will see how much noise that makes with OEM cross bars when i take it for a road trip next month. I'm still holding out hope that Prinsu will make a rack for the GX460.

Trijicon

I have a frontrunner slim line and it should have come with wind deflectors. If not, contact frontline and they will ship you some. It takes a bit of adjustment to find the sweet spot but it will get quiet. We recently drove from San Francisco to Moab and back with the rack (and pulling a travel trailer) and we have had no issues with noise.

I did change my set up before the trip and added an led light bar under the rack and moved my wind deflectors up top to stream line the rotopax and expedition rails. This setup was even more quiet.

Acrad

Trijicon: How far above the roof does the base rack go?

and with these bars?




Can those bars in pic be easily removed? I am curious about how one would fit in my garage.

Thanks!

leftyguns

i wonder if this placement has anything to do with the noise?

i haven't ordered mine yet, waiting on the quick release tent mounts to come in to hopefully combine shipping. i am excited to get it and put it to use

heckeljohn

Sorry, to clarify, the rack absolutely does come with wind deflectors. I took the pics before I attached them. I've adjusted them a few times.

The sound comes from the very front of the rack, and closing the moon roof cover helps somewhat.

heckeljohn

@Trijicon

I do have the full rails, but I can't put them on until my new (roll up) garage door is installed.

In re: the deflectors, how far apart would you say you put them?

heckeljohn

Also @Trijicon,
How did you wire in the LED bar?

heckeljohn

@lefty,
It's certainly a possibility.

The moon roof has 2 stops to reduce noise (1st much quieter than the second). Strut #2 is would be right above where the 1st moon roof stop is.

Trijicon

The rack raises around 5 inches above the roof +/- an 8th of an inch. The expedition rails rise another 2.5 inches so total is around 7.5 inches. The rail bases are attached with a single hex screw, the corner bases will need 3 more hex screws removed before you can take them off.

Trijicon

I ran the wire down the driverside roof gutter and down the driverside window trim and into the engine bay

Trijicon

I had the deflectors down the middle under the first rail.