Baja Utility Rack Info

Subd

 

Here are some pics I have, I also have the brackets that were too short still if anyone is interested in them. They would work for a basket type that would sit on top.

 

For anyone that has one installed - suggestions/tips for an easy install?
I read on a thread about punching holes in the weather strip with a leather punch. Anyone ever do that?
@Crom I recall you telling me that the weather strip was a bit of a pia. There is a metal insert in the strip? Is that correct?

Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

@ffdawson See that you have one too.
Any words of advice?

 

I don't have a BaJa Rack but the FrontRunner mounts similar (except it has the mounting points in the center also). I used a drill bit to drill the holes through mine. Measure 4 times then drill once.

 

There is a metal strip in the middle, I took a pair of cutters and cut the metal out of the area to be drilled.

 

Silicone? Did either of you slather up the threads? Was planning to do that.

 

Yes

 

Fill the rungs with great stuff foam. Stops that howling malamute in its tracks Old roofer trick

 

Here is my write up for how to deal with the metal band.

I used silicone, but any proper commercial roofing sealant would work.

Good luck!

 

Thanks.

 

Not an old roofer, but old cable guy, so the rungs have been sealed shut since this ladder was new , still clanks together and I have levelers on that make a lot of racket. Sometimes I miss that truck, then I get into my 4Runner.

 

I used a 3/4" leather punch to punch my weather strip. Then filled the roof mounting holes with silicone caulking. Hopefully I won't run into any problems.

 

Did mine yesterday.

The metal in the strips were a p.i.a., but the leather hole punch worked great. Was a better option rather than the drill.
Copious amounts of RTV silicone used. (I get nervous about holes in the roof.)
Solid rack, nicely made. Got up on it to adjust my "road rage bazooka". Switched over my box from the rear to the front too.

 

Thread revival!

Looking to have a few questions answered as I'm looking at this rack for my '15 DCSB.

1) For those that have a XM antenna, can you provide me the measurement the rack sticks up *past* the top of the shark-fin? (have a low ceiling in the garage and its pretty tight already, but I think it will fit!)

2) Has anyone else suffered from dramatic wind noise? Is this more of one off issues or wide-spread?

3) Anyone else experienced QC issues? Bent rack? Chipped powdercoat?

Thanks!

 

1) I'll get a measurement once home (where the truck is) if no one else does first.
2) Depending on if its windy out (and direction) I would say its substantially louder at highway speeds than having nothing up there. Again seemed to depend on wind.
3) Mine was perfect nothing damaged or bent.

 

Thanks for the reply, look forward to the measurement. I know the sharkfin clears a low beam in our garage with a few inches to spare, it will be close!

I've had vehicles with yakima/thule roof racks in the past, could you compare how much more loud it is than those type of setups?

 

I think it is maybe 2 inches higher but will measure to be sure. I've never had a roof rack or anything on the roof of a vehicle before this. So I have no reference. I could still have a conversation with my wife but I think we were probably talking louder to accommodate the noise. Then other times I forgot the rack was up there completely due to change in direction or wind.

 

I don't know what I was remembering....Its a 1/2" from the top of the shark fin to the top of the rack.

 

Awesome! I think it should clear just fine for me then.