Builds Tex's 2019 GX460 build

[gamera]

Looks great. I really want to pick one up myself but that shipping cost to CA

Edit: After doing the currency conversion it came out pretty cheap. Placed an order.

 

[r2m]

Too late to ask for that for Christmas from my wife... But my birthday is in April!

 

[Tex68w]

Looks great. I really want to pick one up myself but that shipping cost to CA

Edit: After doing the currency conversion it came out pretty cheap. Placed an order.

Exactly, the weak Australian dollar definitely helps ease the pain. I don't mind paying almost as much in shipping when I get it in a week lol. Still cheaper, lighter, sleeker than the only US made option and I bet you get it faster too.

Too late to ask for that for Christmas from my wife... But my birthday is in April!

I like the way you think haha.

 

[Tex68w]

Well much to my surprise, the Backbone side rails for my Rhino Rack platform unexpectedly arrived on Friday. I was last told that they wouldn't even arrive in the states until the 23rd so I wasn't expecting to see it until after the first of the year. I was more excited about finally being able to get the platform portion of the rack out of the guest room than I was about actually getting the rack itself installed lol.

Before anyone makes a comment about the crappy condition of the trim or the paint color and roof/yard littered with downed branches let me just say that we currently live in a rent house while we await relocating for work. In other words, I couldn't give a rats a$$ about this house or the yard lol.

A year of parking under a 50ft Oak tree certainly made for a lot of pollen spore mess to clean up in the rain gutters once the factory side rails were removed. I'd be willing to bet that more than half of the time spent on installing the rack was spent on cleaning up the roof, what a PITA. Rhino provides you with some very convenient Butyl rubber pads with bolt cutouts to put around the holes in the roof in order to seal out moisture and dirt, they beat the hell out of having to goop up everything with a sealant. Once those were in place the remainder of the roof rack install was pretty straight forward. Six bolts per side for the side rails and then three per side to affix the platform portion of the rack to the side rails.

I chose the Rhino Rack with the Backbone side rails solely because it sat over an inch lower than the FrontRunner rack but if I am being honest I'd prefer that it sat even lower than it does. I guess I am just used to the more modular style racks like Prinsu/Sherpa/SSO/LFD etc. and I prefer the look of their lower height. That said, I am blown away with the quality of this rack and the attention to detail in regards to the design and fit and finish. I'll reserve my decision about whether or not I want to run a wind deflector until after I've gotten some miles under my belt with it. I expect a slight decrease in fuel economy but I hope that there isn't much of an increase in wind noise.

 

[rex in bama]

Well much to my surprise, the Backbone side rails for my Rhino Rack platform unexpectedly arrived on Friday. I was last told that they wouldn't even arrive in the states until the 23rd so I wasn't expecting to see it until after the first of the year. I was more excited about finally being able to get the platform portion of the rack out of the guest room than I was about actually getting the rack itself installed lol.

Before anyone makes a comment about the crappy condition of the trim or the paint color and roof/yard littered with downed branches let me just say that we currently live in a rent house while we await relocating for work. In other words, I couldn't give a rats a$$ about this house or the yard lol.

A year of parking under a 50ft Oak tree certainly made for a lot of pollen spore mess to clean up in the rain gutters once the factory side rails were removed. I'd be willing to bet that more than half of the time spent on installing the rack was spent on cleaning up the roof, what a PITA. Rhino provides you with some very convenient Butyl rubber pads with bolt cutouts to put around the holes in the roof in order to seal out moisture and dirt, they beat the hell out of having to goop up everything with a sealant. Once those were in place the remainder of the roof rack install was pretty straight forward. Six bolts per side for the side rails and then three per side to affix the platform portion of the rack to the side rails.

I chose the Rhino Rack with the Backbone side rails solely because it sat over an inch lower than the FrontRunner rack but if I am being honest I'd prefer that it sat even lower than it does. I guess I am just used to the more modular style racks like Prinsu/Sherpa/SSO/LFD etc. and I prefer the look of their lower height. That said, I am blown away with the quality of this rack and the attention to detail in regards to the design and fit and finish. I'll reserve my decision about whether or not I want to run a wind deflector until after I've gotten some miles under my belt with it. I expect a slight decrease in fuel economy but I hope that there isn't much of an increase in wind noise.

Some height is good, though, if you want to tilt the sunroof and occasionally clean the roof (which it gives you). The newer rack seems to have a sloped front and rear rail - probably a bit more aerodynamic than my earlier version. Great job in the install - that looks sweet!

 

[Littlehouse]

Looking good!!!

 

[FJCowboy]

I think it looks really good. How does it work with the rear antenna? If it was any lower would it interfere with that?

 

[r2m]

If you have satellite radio, and IF you have any reception issues from the racks current position, is there room to scooch the forward to expose the shark fin antenna?
That's probably the only issue I have with my Gamiviti and RTT, wish it all was a wee bit forward. I can get satellite reception, but it's spotty depending up what direction I'm driving and where the satellite is in it's synchronized orbit on the horizon.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

wee bit

We must be separated at birth... I just posted this not seeing your post.

265/70/17 rubbing ... just a wee bit, need suggestions

Ok folks, here's where my 265/70/17 Ridge Grapplers are rubbing. As you can see it is just a wee bit and mostly on the bolt head. So, any suggestions that are inexpensive to try first? I suppose I could cut the mudguards at an angle and see about finding a lower profile bolt? I don't want to...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Tex68w]

I think it looks really good. How does it work with the rear antenna? If it was any lower would it interfere with that?

The antenna sits in between two of the lateral runners so it doesn't have any clearance issues and it still exposed to the sky above. Going lower wouldn't have any impact on it because it would still sit between the lateral runners. You could go another inch or so lower before it stick out above the platform.

If you have satellite radio, and IF you have any reception issues from the racks current position, is there room to scooch the forward to expose the shark fin antenna?
That's probably the only issue I have with my Gamiviti and RTT, wish it all was a wee bit forward. I can get satellite reception, but it's spotty depending up what direction I'm driving and where the satellite is in it's synchronized orbit on the horizon.

You can move the horizontal cross bars to anywhere you please so in theory yes, you could scoot the platform forward if you were inclined to do so. I believe it is set to the position they suggest in the assembly instructions in order to better balance the load. I don't have/pay for satellite radio so I can't confirm signal quality but I don't see it being an issue.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

I don't have/pay for satellite radio

^ This. I'd rather take the damn antenna off and put a low profile light bar up there and use the hole in to the cabin to run the wiring.

 

[SouthTxGX]

Well much to my surprise, the Backbone side rails for my Rhino Rack platform unexpectedly arrived on Friday. I was last told that they wouldn't even arrive in the states until the 23rd so I wasn't expecting to see it until after the first of the year. I was more excited about finally being able to get the platform portion of the rack out of the guest room than I was about actually getting the rack itself installed lol.

Before anyone makes a comment about the crappy condition of the trim or the paint color and roof/yard littered with downed branches let me just say that we currently live in a rent house while we await relocating for work. In other words, I couldn't give a rats a$$ about this house or the yard lol.

A year of parking under a 50ft Oak tree certainly made for a lot of pollen spore mess to clean up in the rain gutters once the factory side rails were removed. I'd be willing to bet that more than half of the time spent on installing the rack was spent on cleaning up the roof, what a PITA. Rhino provides you with some very convenient Butyl rubber pads with bolt cutouts to put around the holes in the roof in order to seal out moisture and dirt, they beat the hell out of having to goop up everything with a sealant. Once those were in place the remainder of the roof rack install was pretty straight forward. Six bolts per side for the side rails and then three per side to affix the platform portion of the rack to the side rails.

I chose the Rhino Rack with the Backbone side rails solely because it sat over an inch lower than the FrontRunner rack but if I am being honest I'd prefer that it sat even lower than it does. I guess I am just used to the more modular style racks like Prinsu/Sherpa/SSO/LFD etc. and I prefer the look of their lower height. That said, I am blown away with the quality of this rack and the attention to detail in regards to the design and fit and finish. I'll reserve my decision about whether or not I want to run a wind deflector until after I've gotten some miles under my belt with it. I expect a slight decrease in fuel economy but I hope that there isn't much of an increase in wind noise.

I’ve been trying to decide on a rack and I really like this one. Was thinking of getting the 60”, but after seeing the 84” I’ll probably go that route.

 

[Tex68w]

I’ve been trying to decide on a rack and I really like this one. Was thinking of getting the 60”, but after seeing the 84” I’ll probably go that route.

No, everything went smoothly and as described/indicated. If you don't mind waiting a few days longer for drop shipping then I'd look at www.etrailer.com and www.autopartstoys.com for the best price. It can't be any worse than what I dealt with lol. Use discount code "LABOR" with AutoPartsToys for 10% off.

 

[Tex68w]

Bird dog tow rig.

 

[FJCowboy]

Bird dog tow rig.

Nothing like a good Texas bird hunt. What dogs are you running?

 

[Tex68w]

Nothing like a good Texas bird hunt. What dogs are you running?

They aren't mine, they belong to a buddy, we just hunt and guide together. Most are GSP's, one wire hire GSP, a Poodle Pointer, and English Cocker Spaniels for flushing dogs. Ten dogs in total and they do amazing work.

 

[FJCowboy]

They aren't mine, they belong to a buddy, we just hunt and guide together. Most are GSP's, one wire hire GSP, a Poodle Pointer, and English Cocker Spaniels for flushing dogs. Ten dogs in total and they do amazing work.

Big fan of the GSPs. I learned to bird hunt over them and have owned two over the years. Great dogs.

 

[Tex68w]

Big fan of the GSPs. I learned to bird hunt over them and have owned two over the years. Great dogs.

I have more time hunting upland over GSP's than any other breed so I am partial as well and I think they have in general the best drive of the sporting breeds for this kind of work. I have hunted over a lot of French Brittany's and they too do well but I don't see as much drive in them. The Poodle Pointer does impressive work but she's my only exposure to the breed. I had a buddy who had a Vizsla and it was one hell of a dog but passed on early with cancer.

Here's some of the crew haha.

 

[r2m]

The antenna sits in between two of the lateral runners so it doesn't have any clearance issues and it still exposed to the sky above. Going lower wouldn't have any impact on it because it would still sit between the lateral runners. You could go another inch or so lower before it stick out above the platform.




You can move the horizontal cross bars to anywhere you please so in theory yes, you could scoot the platform forward if you were inclined to do so. I believe it is set to the position they suggest in the assembly instructions in order to better balance the load. I don't have/pay for satellite radio so I can't confirm signal quality but I don't see it being an issue.

If I'm not mistaken, you should still be able to check out reception with your satellite radio by just turning it on. It should default you to some wanky ads that are always playing. Turn it on and drive around the block, just for the sake of having your vehicle point in every direction and see if you get any desegregation or loss of signal.
Only bother with it if think you'll ever be wanting satellite radio...
My family and I like it. Hate to say it cause I'm not old enough to remember it when it was "new" music, but I enjoy the 40's station.
On long road trips, sometimes we'll just stream Pandora off my phone, but on rare occasions when we lose cell service, we'll switch to satellite.

 

[Tex68w]

If I'm not mistaken, you should still be able to check out reception with your satellite radio by just turning it on. It should default you to some wanky ads that are always playing. Turn it on and drive around the block, just for the sake of having your vehicle point in every direction and see if you get any desegregation or loss of signal.
Only bother with it if think you'll ever be wanting satellite radio...
My family and I like it. Hate to say it cause I'm not old enough to remember it when it was "new" music, but I enjoy the 40's station.
On long road trips, sometimes we'll just stream Pandora off my phone, but on rare occasions when we lose cell service, we'll switch to satellite.

I tried it this morning driving back from Houston, no issues in any direction. I used to subscribe to satellite radio and I always enjoyed the Sinatra channel and I’m still in my 30’s lol. Once ads got as bad on there as they are on FM radio I stopped paying for it, that and they are always messing with the rates and playing games in order to get you to come back. No thanks, Spotify works quite well and I have over 2,000 songs saved to my offline playlist so I am good regardless of whether or not I have cell service.