Lowering ARB roof rack (chopping the top half off)

[Wes]

Looking for tips on the following idea.

brother in law has just got a new ride with one of the ARB trade roof racks (I think that's right).

Looks like this anyway with the rails on the side but nothing front or rear.

ARBTriton0710_086_Photoshop1.jpg (34.84 KiB) Viewed 4264 times

Problem is on the 4x4 with the roof racks it's just creeping over the 2.1m height which is how tall carpacks in Melbourne are (or are supposed to be anyway)

Without the side rails it would be an easy 10cm clearance and no worries.

I know there are flat ones, issue is by the time he sells the current one at a loss, buys the new one, blah blah.... is it worth it... Or do we just grab an angle grinder and chop the rails off.

To give a bit of support on the sides I was thinking he could cut it down and leave 1" stubs of the vertical bar, then lay a 1" steel tube next to them and bind them to the rack.

Then just get some caps and solder them onto the top of the cut tubes to seal the rack.

It won't be super pretty but he can leave it on instead of taking it on and off for city and country. Not really worried about resale or anything like that later.

Anyone got a better idea than to start grinding?

[Chronos]

"Anyone got a better idea than to start grinding?"

nope, grind away but take it off the vehicle obviuosly. I'd be a little worried about loosing the strength of that top tube, could you get away with welding it back on at half the height?

get some zinc based primer and paint everywhere you've ground before touching up with the final colour.

Chronos

[AusTac]

+ +1 grind the sucker off and re-enforce/re-engineer as you see fit

[Wes]

Ah good pickup, thanks guys.

Hadn't through of it was the structural POV.

Was only thinking it was a little side support to stop things going over on corners.

Hmm, will have to take another look and see what looks right.

[brett1868]

How wide is the rack compared to the roof? If there's some overhang then maybe turn it over so the rails are down. Might reduce clearance on the windows a little but you maintain the strength and still have somewhere to tie off to.

[Chronos]

How wide is the rack compared to the roof? If there's some overhang then maybe turn it over so the rails are down. Might reduce clearance on the windows a little but you maintain the strength and still have somewhere to tie off to.

not a bad idea Brett, i saw a Navara with a full aluminium rack like that, top was flat, bottom had rails. it was very strong and was 3.6m long and the guy could put full sheets of gyprock on top (he's a builder)

He also used to take it to bathurst and sit up there with is kids to watch the race

Chronos

[Wes]

I like the thinking.... I think the mounts won't lift the rack high enough as is, the side rails would still touch the roof

But maybe we could use a space over some sort to make the difference.

The side rails are about 6" from memory, even if it needs a 2" spacer that'd be a big net saving and I think take him comfortably under the 2.1

If it's doable I think we have a winner.

[Kai]

Anyone got a better idea than to start grinding?

Let some air out of the tyres?

[BBJ]

Compromising the support is a good point. Depending on your load I suppose you could make do by only putting heavy items in the middle directly above the mounts and lighter items only on the overhangs.

Cutting it up would be a shame though, they're good racks

I'd go the spacers if possible. Better to spend $50 at Bunnings on something to space it than destroy a $1000 rack.

[FuzzyM]

Sell the ARB rack and get a flat rack.
http://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/product ... eries.html

[Old Fart]

The thing that could be annoying at times with mounting it upside down is the mounting plate will be on the top of the basket now so you'll have 6 blackspots on the rack with metal corners exposed where they would normally be hidden on the bottom side of the rack.

Maybe doesn't matter at all depending on what you carry, just a thought.

From memory the ARB racks secure with 2 bolts at each mount, but there are 6 or 8 bolt holes on each. Might wanna add an extra pair since you're mounting it higher and potentially adding a little flex there.