Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

MOD: Baja Rack - Roof Rack

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by The Roadie » Fri Aug 05, 2011 6:40 pm

JamesDowning wrote:.... not sure if it would contour properly...?
It bent nicely. The thicker cross section stuff would not, and was great crossbar material.

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by Trail X » Sat Aug 13, 2011 6:52 pm

Agh, what have I done!?

Image

Image

Image

It's still not mounted properly, still trying to figure out how I'm going to do these rivet nuts properly. The challenge is that the bolts will be sticking out normal to the roof curve. I'm almost considering curving the front mounting bar as it's currently sticking up like 1" or so at the ends, and resting on the roof in the center.
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by Diacom » Sat Aug 13, 2011 10:15 pm

Your not going to drive around with that up there and not RTT are ya? I mean, I know your an innovator and all, but I mean Sheesh!! :poke:
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by Trail X » Sat Aug 13, 2011 10:22 pm

I hadn't really planned to use it without the RTT. Can't think of any time that I'd need it other than camping.

Maybe I can still use it to mount my bike when I go riding.
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by bgwolfpack » Sun Aug 14, 2011 1:34 am

Will look fine with the RTT and serve its purpose when needed. You'll get it just right with thought. :cheers:


BTW: The dent on the right front fender really stands out in this photo. I've forgotten maybe; When did this happen? :coffee:
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by Diacom » Sun Aug 14, 2011 1:38 am

Another option for mounting James.

Is the extended rack the same length as the non extended? Might be worth using the side rails if they will give you the extra length your looking for and still look "stock"
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by MrSmithsTB » Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:18 am

Dude, you should've sold the baja and cut up a cheap eBay rack.
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by fishsticks » Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:21 am

MrSmithsTB wrote:Dude, you should've sold the baja and cut up a cheap eBay rack.



QFT.
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by Trail X » Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:42 am

bgwolfpack wrote:Will look fine with the RTT and serve its purpose when needed. You'll get it just right with thought. :cheers:


BTW: The dent on the right front fender really stands out in this photo. I've forgotten maybe; When did this happen? :coffee:


I think it will end up fine, and you're right, it does look a bit funny without the RTT.

The dent is from my last outing. Not a tree or anything, a blasted ATV that ran into me while I was letting him pass. I know we're supposed to stand together with the ATV riders, but sometimes I have trouble with that.

Diacom wrote:Another option for mounting James.

Is the extended rack the same length as the non extended? Might be worth using the side rails if they will give you the extra length your looking for and still look "stock"


At this point, I think I've decided on the route I'll take. Good thought, but I think the EXT roof line is a bit different, not sure how it would mate up.

MrSmithsTB wrote:Dude, you should've sold the baja and cut up a cheap eBay rack.


Considered it, but I didn't think it was worth the hassle. I already had the Baja Rack mounts basically figured out. Plus my baja rack wasn't in perfect condition... a bit rusty and flaky in some areas.
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by NC_IslandRunner » Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:50 pm

You might be able to find some caps for the ends of those tubes, once the RTT is installed you won't notice them anyway but it could help prevent rusting from the inside out.
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by The Roadie » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:06 pm

JamesDowning wrote:... a blasted ATV that ran into me while I was letting him pass. ...
I've taken to stopping COMPLETELY on any narrow trail where bikes or ATVs are sharing it with me, to let them pass. They might hit me, but my dashcam will prove that I didn't hit THEM.
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by Trail X » Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:56 pm

NC_IslandRunner wrote:You might be able to find some caps for the ends of those tubes, once the RTT is installed you won't notice them anyway but it could help prevent rusting from the inside out.

That's the plan, I've already got the bare metal all painted up. Found the caps a few weeks ago; I am a Mcmaster maniac.

The Roadie wrote:I've taken to stopping COMPLETELY on any narrow trail where bikes or ATVs are sharing it with me, to let them pass. They might hit me, but my dashcam will prove that I didn't hit THEM.

I was stopped... the guy tried to shoot the gap and slid his rear sideways, and his cargo rack rammed me. I should have asked for $50 or something, but I'm too nice of a guy.
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by fishsticks » Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:20 am

Most ATVers around here are just slightly more intelligent than bicyclists. Bicyclists think that favorable traffic laws will stop 3 tons of steel from killing them if they suddenly swing out in front of you or run a stop sign.

60% of them dress like Lance Armstrong too...
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by NC_IslandRunner » Mon Aug 15, 2011 6:51 am

fishsticks wrote:
60% of them dress like Lance Armstrong too...


I know what you mean, the worst is the out of shape guys dressed like that, I'm not in the best shape myself but I don't wear spandex. :puker:
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by navigator » Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:45 am

spandex isn't made for men, especially men built like me :-)

I take it ATV's on trails are kind of like jetskis on the waterway, they swarm around like mosquitoes or something with very little respect to others.

My wife and I were sitting out there fishing the other day and one comes right across the front of my boat (within 30 yards), now the waterway where we were is several hundred yards wide. Why with all that water do you run right in front of me. I'm tempted to start casting at them. 2oz of lead flying at you will get your attention!
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by fishsticks » Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:33 am

navigator wrote:spandex isn't made for men, especially men built like me :-)

I take it ATV's on trails are kind of like jetskis on the waterway, they swarm around like mosquitoes or something with very little respect to others.

My wife and I were sitting out there fishing the other day and one comes right across the front of my boat (within 30 yards), now the waterway where we were is several hundred yards wide. Why with all that water do you run right in front of me. I'm tempted to start casting at them. 2oz of lead flying at you will get your attention!



We always give people fishing a really wide berth. Lines in the water + it's just considerate.

However if you're travelling and leaving a good sized wake I will come ride/jump off of it. 8-)
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by navigator » Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:33 am

LOL, I don't mind the jetskiers surfing my wake though with my little bass boat trimmed up there isn't very much. Sometimes I would love to have one myself. Just don't fly around like little gnats while I'm fishing.
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by Trail X » Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:03 pm

Cross this one off the to do list.

Here's a few pics of the mounting details. The rivet nuts set in perfectly... surprisingly they don't even whistle when going down the interstate. Everything is as close to the roof as possible to keep wind resistance down as much as possible.
Image

Bent the front bar to follow the roof curvature as best as possible... all to get the rack 1/4" lower. A couple small neoprene washers go between the rack and the roof.
Image

Front wind faring on:
Image

Quick photoshop of how it will look with the RTT. I'm really hoping it will help the air flow over the tent as smoothly as possible and cut down a bit on wind resistance. Every bit counts on a 5k mile trip.
Image
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by bgwolfpack » Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:40 pm

Well done James. Looks good.

How long until someone copy's this? :)

:cheers:
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by Saxis » Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:16 pm

Just wondering... Does that interfere with your sunroof at all?
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