Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

[vf34 Member Find all posts View Profile Close vf34]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Oops...Thanks "05Oiler". There is one thing I'll add to the removal of the factory roof rail procedure and that is to silicon around the plastic bolt plugs to prevent water from entering the roof. Preferrably Ph netural silicon.

The rubber trim in the roof track on both sides have been removed in between the front and rear ends, they are not glued/screwed in in any way. The rubber is lightly squeezed in between the recess of the track walls. But in reference to my PIC of the passenger side, the rubber is there, just an optical illusion. Ya had me going back to the car to check! :lol:

Nick

[halojump Member Find all posts View Profile Close halojump]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

mmm, looks awesome. I normally keep the crossrails on but this looks to be an even better solution.

One question, what is the height of the rack? I was thinking of just keeping the OE rails and leaving the basket on all the time. I cant go too much higher than the existing cross bars as I'll have work car park issues.

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

I love it, already towing a camper around means anything to keep economy is going to keep us happy. If I can use my existing Thule feet, this is going to be ideal for me.

Looks great. I'm going to be using it for a photography platform when not on a big trip so flat is good. Does the rack flex much? By the time I get my gear up there (& me) I'll be looking at up to 90Kg's. I'd hate to have it flex so much it hit the roof (I'm assuming this would need far more weight).

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

FBP,

Exactly my thoughts.

I'm planning to apply some ply to the rack for exactly this purpose. Even if the aluminium crossbars are strong enough to take the weight, tripod legs are going to slip through the gaps...

Michael

[05oiler Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 05oiler]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Hello Nick, Michael

I didn't mention at the time of my other post that the Rhino Roof rack includes O Rings to fit over the plastic bolt hole sleeves. When the legs are bolted down the O Ring seals against water entry. I had no problems with any water leakage. I am sure the silastic will work fine but the O Rings make easier to remove at a later time.

Regards

Garry

[FlyingBushPig Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyingBushPig]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

FBP,

Exactly my thoughts.

I'm planning to apply some ply to the rack for exactly this purpose. Even if the aluminium crossbars are strong enough to take the weight, tripod legs are going to slip through the gaps...

Michael

My old boss has an ARB rack on his troopy which ARB in Tas modified exactly for this purpose - put chequerplate across it and even had drainage holes.
I've even thought of having a permanent mounted monopod which just swings up from the side of the rack, complete with a nice ball head (with cover).

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Anyway I answered my own question by buying a 2m WindCheetah roofrack and installed it myself this morning. Yep the supplied track bolts straight into the exisiting roof rail bolt holes,

Hi Nick,

The kit includes a bunch of (6) Riv-Nuts. It looks like they are intended to be installed one each at the front, middle and end of each rail. Did you do this?

Mine has finally arrived. I'm waiting for instructions via email, so just going on what I see in the kit. I haven't used Riv-Nuts before, bit wary of that...

Michael

[vf34 Member Find all posts View Profile Close vf34]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Hi Michael

If you brought a 2m roofrack then you don't need to use the rivnuts, the store told me they are only required for roof racks longer than 2m, eg.the 2.2m rack. The rivnuts are to keep the end of the tracks firmly planted to the roof, I didn't want to drill holes into my roof so it wasn't needed. I did shorten the track by 4" at the rear, the track sits fine on the roof. The feet of the rack sit over the bolts of the original rack mounting points or the mounting point of the wincheetah track.

If you want to use the rivnuts there are a couple of good examples on how to use them on youtube.

Just a note, the rack comes with a wind deflector, if the deflector is an inch in height then you will need to take it back to your supplier to swap it for the smaller but wider deflector this is because the 1" deflector sits too close to the roof and may damage your roof. Also install the deflector to the rack before mounting the rack to the car. You can use the rack without the deflector but will be noisy.

Good luck

My final car height with the rack on is 1950mm, the highest point at the rear of the roof rack. Low enough to park in most multi level public car parks but not low enough to park in my garage with a roof top tent.

Cheers

Nick

[bevwone Member Find all posts View Profile Close bevwone]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Vf34 & Michael,

Sorry it is a bit late to offer my opinion relating to these racks. I just cannot get enough time in the day to keep in touch with the amount of posts on this site. Work/study/family etc.

I bought a OL rackmaster 1.8m a couple of years ago and I love it. If anyone else is considering one of these I would recommend it.

I carry oztents and bought the rackmaster for being able to overhang the long tents. The rack only weighs 11kg so it allows a lot more weight to be carried on it (89kg). Its low profile does not affect the handling when you are not loaded (a bit of wind noise is about all).

Its had plenty of trips on some ordinary roads/corrugations when we lived in Darwin throughout the top-end and Kimberlys (now live on Adelaide and looking forward to loading it up around SA) and has not been a problem and has not moved. The flexibility of being able to load different things in different positions each time.

It is expensive and the add-ons are a killer but I wouldn't change my mind.

Am currently looking at the table that slides underneath the rack between the roof and the rack - it is aluminum and stainless so it may rattle. Does anyone else have one of these??

http://www.dolium.com.au/view/page/120/item/RMAT1.html

My two cents

Bevan

Not affiliated etc.

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Nick,

Thanks for that, the instructions arrived in my email - It's a bit ambiguous, but it seems to say that you don't need the riv-nuts if you are installing the shorter 1.8m basket. I guess like you say it depends where you position the feet. I'll check it out in the morning.

I calculate I should be able to drive into the garage with 2" lift, windcheetah and spare on the top, with about 50mm spare. it's going to be close. :|

Bevan, Thanks for the info, always good to get some feedback. Those tables look good if a bit expensive. I think I read that you need the long rack and the high feet for them to fit under the rack?

I bought the spare wheel mount with the rack: $105... Do they ever have a sale on this gear? I have a few Rhino accessories, apparently they fit with a little modifiation.

Michael

[Wags Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wags]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

I'm also sorry I didn't find this sooner. I bought the 2.2m rack last year and it suits my needs down to the ground. The oz tent sits neatly down one side and it can hold my weight. I use it as a photo platform. For tie down points, M8 Eye nuts, bought from the local chain and sling shop. I'll see if I can find some pics.

Cheers,

Wags

[attachment=0:1tydulae]Easter 08 281.jpg[/attachment:1tydulae]
[attachment=1:1tydulae]xmas 2007 048.jpg[/attachment:1tydulae]

[Wags Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wags]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Just a word of wisdom, it pays not to be on the drink when fitting the mounts for the high lift jack. Mine seems to be upside down, back to front, and I'd actually planned to mount it on the other side. Damned Bundy cans.... :lol:

[bevwone Member Find all posts View Profile Close bevwone]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Just a word of wisdom, it pays not to be on the drink when fitting the mounts for the high lift jack. Mine seems to be upside down, back to front, and I'd actually planned to mount it on the other side. Damned Bundy cans.... :lol:

Wags,

You would be able to turn the whole rack over (they are the same both sides, you just re-position the feet) then the jack would be right way up and on the correct side. The stickers would be upside down though - mine disintegrated with the high-pressure house getting bugs off.

If you turned the whole rack over and then rotated it 180 degrees, the jack would be right way up and facing the right way - just on the wrong side.

Bev

[Wags Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wags]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Bevan,

The stickers are really only for advertising, so not worried about that. The other option I've considered is to drill new holes on the other side. The jack only comes along for camping trips. I bought it when I had the Rodeo, and there's nowhere on the prado to use it until I replace the side steps. Thanks for your idea of fixing my problem.

Cheers,
Wags

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Well, it was close.

[attachment=0:m5qdbukx]Clearance.jpg[/attachment:m5qdbukx]

That's the panel lift door above, and the spare below on the windcheetah. Too dark to get a shot at the front, but it's about 30mm clearance at the lowest point. Phew!

Michael