Front Runner roof rack questions

[sdnative]

I am (seriously) considering a Front Runner Slimline II rack for my 80 and have some questions.

I am trying to figure out if I can use shorter legs to lower the rack without hitting the roof. The website indicates this rack come with 2pr 130mm legs and 1pr 155mm legs. I have seen a few pictures of this rack on an 80 and it looks like there is a bunch of room between the roof and bottom of the rack. I am considering getting 5mm or 10mm shorter legs but want to make sure nothing will hit. Can someone with a FR slimline II rack (not wind cheetah) check if the rack can be lowered some without anything hitting the roof (like the air dam) or affecting the use of the sunroof? BTW my roof is bare, no factory rack or runners.

Also, how is the wind noise with these racks? I have read a few cases where it is hardly noticible on the 80, and a few cases on other vehicles (100 series and some rovers) where it howls. I have also read that this noise is due to the slats going side to side. It seems racks with the slats going front to back, like the Hannibal / African Outback / EziAwn / INTI are much quieter, but those are out of my price range.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[08720]

Mine is quiet. I dont even know it is up there. I got the reg height (whatever they call it). I can stow ~1.5" thick camp table under the rack i believe. I took off the runners and the factory rack. I can take more detailed measurements soon. Regardless, I freaking love it. Quality piece. Ask for Steve (friend under my profile) or PM him. Quality service for an outstanding product.

 

[livinoffroad]

Mine is quiet. I dont even know it is up there. I got the reg height (whatever they call it). I can stow ~1.5" thick camp table under the rack i believe. I took off the runners and the factory rack. I can take more detailed measurements soon. Regardless, I freaking love it. Quality piece. Ask for Steve (friend under my profile) or PM him. Quality service for an outstanding product.

When I was researching the Front Runner, I called and Steve's wife was helpful about details. There are 2 mount heights...tall and taller. This is because the system is designed to mount equipment (like camp tables) underneath the rack, between it and the roof, as well as on top. There is no mount height that allows it to mount JUST ABOVE the roof. This is the main reason I chilled on the FR rack. Too tall to be parking structure friendly.

 

[sdnative]

I'm not so worried about parking structures, just want to fit in my garage. I have just under 6.5" from the top of the gutter behind the rear door to the garage door when open. From what I understand the FR with the regular feet is right around this height. May work, but I would feel more comfortable with more clearance. I don't drive my truck much, so I suppose I could strap the axle going in and out to lower the truck an inch, but that's a hassle.

 

[oilbrnr]

I'm assembling my FR Slimline II right now that I got on their holiday sale. I emailed Steve and he recommended the tall legs as I wanted to get their table to slide under the rack.

08720 - when you say you removed the runners, does that mean the pieces that are stuck to the roof, or just the pieces you can slide off?

I'm going to be ordering a James Baroud RTT to put on it, and I'm kinda wondering if I shouldn't order two more legs to help spread out the load a bit.

I should have it mounted up no later than Saturday, so I can post up some pics to this thread with measurements. Good to hear that it is quite! Def. a nice kit.

 

[08720]

I dont see a problem in trying it before placing an order for two more mounts. Have you spoke to Steve on his thoughts on additional mounts? You can take off as much as you want up top. The more the better as water hides up there. You will have to do some cleaning up there after but it wont matter the quality as no one will ever see it. Meaning it should be a job the average guy can tackle without paying body shop rates. Lots of threads on here about it.

 

[oilbrnr]

I just didn't feel like ripping of the runner strips as they are well stuck to the paint that I'm sure would come off in places. Exposing the nutcert areas and sealing them up will be cake, as those areas are nice and clean on my roof thank god.

 

[sdnative]

I should have it mounted up no later than Saturday, so I can post up some pics to this thread with measurements.

Yes, please post some pics. Thanks a bunch!

 

[sdnative]

You can take off as much as you want up top. The more the better as water hides up there. You will have to do some cleaning up there after but it wont matter the quality as no one will ever see it. Meaning it should be a job the average guy can tackle without paying body shop rates. Lots of threads on here about it.

Not following you here

 

[08720]

Runners have two end caps that come off, slide off the top, then remove the strip if you like. Remove the roof rack if you like. Remove the rear wind deflector if you like (be prepared to use your rear wiper more). After removing any or all of this you will then have to clean and seal the top up. Im just suggesting it is work the average guy can do since no one will really see it. Doing this from my phone so trying to be as short as possible.

 

[sdnative]

Got it. I thought you were talking about the roof rack legs.

Runners are fairly easy to remove. Remove end caps. Slide off top metal piece. Peel off as much of the bottom piece as possible. Remove the rest with a 3M eraser wheel.

 

[oilbrnr]

I'm going to see if I have enough clearance to leave the retaining strips at this point. They seemed to be fairly well affixed and it may just open up a pandora's box of more work for me. If I can't slide the table in, then I guess I will pony up and remove them.

 

[08720]

Measured with the strips on (the runner tops slid off) and 1.25" clearance in the back, gradually tapering to the front where there is much more clearance. Nice thing about this height is the ability to add lights at the corners.

 

[oilbrnr]

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread here, but 8720, where did you get the lights and how did you route the wire to them? Looks good!

 

[08720]

lights

flood lights from China - eBay, ~$25 a piece, all 4 corners, I wanted some floods for camp lights. Rubber washers so you can turn them, wires run from my aux. power block under the passenger seat clear back and up the rear hatch support, you can see the wire in the picture coming up, then I used the channels in the rack to hide the wire.

 

[sdnative]

View attachment 858450 Measured with the strips on (the runner tops slid off) and 1.25" clearance in the back, gradually tapering to the front where there is much more clearance. Nice thing about this height is the ability to add lights at the corners.

Looks good. What legs are you using? The FR website shows the racks come with 4x 130mm and 2x 155mm, but I have heard of people getting all same size legs (130mm I assume).

If you have the 155mm up front, can you snap a pic of the clearance between the air dam and roof? Thanks.

 

[oilbrnr]

I ran out of time yesterday before the SB to take pics of the rack mounted, but I think the tall legs are too tall. Pretty sure I could have gone with the standard ones and still mounted the table underneath. Will do more investigation tonight.

SDN- due to the curve of the roofline, you can't use three of the same height legs, the front ones are longer.

08720- The airdam had some adhesive foam pieces, but no mention where they go unless I missed something, did you figure out where they went?

 

[sdnative]

due to the curve of the roofline, you can't use three of the same height legs, the front ones are longer.

I agree, but have heard of some cases where all of the legs were the same length, causing a kink in the middle.

If you can check what specific legs, and the location you installed them in, you have I would appreciate it (I assume the shorter legs would go in the back and middle and the longer legs go in front).

Also, can you measure the distance from the roof to the bottom of the air dam.

Getting close to ordering, just need to figure out what size legs to get. Unfortunately I don't have anyone closeby with this rack else I would just go measure.

 

[REDrum]

Been running FR product for quite a while, and love them. Have on two trucks. But w/o a fairing they will howl like a banshee.... I rigged up a Thule faring with some zip ties and no problem. Tires are now louder. Will try and find/post photo. Go for 4 pair of gutter mount legs on 80.

 

[sdnative]

Been running FR product for quite a while, and love them. Have on two trucks. But w/o a fairing they will howl like a banshee.... I rigged up a Thule faring with some zip ties and no problem. Tires are now louder. Will try and find/post photo. Go for 4 pair of gutter mount legs on 80.

They howl even with the air dam? I would be interested in seeing how you rigged up the fairing.

Using an extra pair of legs is a good idea, hadn't really thought of that. Is there an issue with flexing with the 3 pair? Could you post a pic if you have one handy?