New 90 Accessories

[Defender Mike]

While I am waiting for the new 90 to arrive in December or maybe January. I am trying to find a good roof rack. One that can easily accept a roof top tent and also mount some off road lighting in front .
I am after a bull bar as well but will probably go for the ARB winch bar as on my D2. Its comming with genuine side steps,snorkel and towbar fitted. Any links to a good roof rack easily obtained in Australia apreciated. I am also interested in a drawer system for the back already have a trailblazer 60 litre and dual battery system.:)

Mike

[KarlB]

The Front Runner Wind Cheetah roof racks are very good. Imported from South Africa by Dolium and readily available from a range of dealers including Opposite Lock and Mulgo though he is on the wrong side of the continent for you. A range of optional extras available for them. I have one on my D90. See Dolium Pty Ltd (http://www.dolium.com.au)

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[chook73]

I have the wind cheetah and I can't recommend it highly enough. I also have the ARB bar (the older version) and whilst I like the frontal protection I don't like the loss of approach angle the ARB bars have.

Regards
Iain

[Loubrey]

Disco Mike,

I've always had superb service from Mike over at Opposite Lock, Wangara. He has to sate supplied all the bits on my car and I'm more than happy.

My 90 has the Wind Cheetah roofrack as mentioned, the Front Runner winch bumber/bullbar and the matching steering guard. The number plate is currently covering the winch mounts.

The snorkel is Mantec as per the G4 Competition vehicles - supplied by Rovacraft.

Cheers,

Lou

[Defender Mike]

I like the look of the wind cheeta plus all the extras. I will pop over to Oposite lock, my office is in Wangara. Pity I fly out to Melbourne in the morning for a coupke of weeks. Anyone running a roof top tent on a 90. I have seen a few on short nissan patrols with an awning as well very quick to deploy and set up if you are traveling. :)

Mike

[Loubrey]

Mike,

I've run rooftop tents for many years on my 90's. I only have printed photos of some trips around Botswana, but I'll try to scan a couple and show you the setup.

I used to unfold the tent forward over the bonnet and tie the ladder to the bullbar (1998 version of the Front Runner roofrack). This gave you ample space for an awning and an annex around the open rear door for longer camping spells. The added bonus with this setup is that you can move the car with the tent "pitched" if the sun or the wind is at a bad angle.

At the back of the rack you can just make out the bases for the 4 jerry can holders I have fitted to get a bit more range.

Cheers,

Lou

[KarlB]

I am sure Naks will drop in on this thread some time. He hails from South Africa and has a D90. You will find a picture of his roof top tent on this page: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/1487081-post247.html. Search the forum for his name and I am sure you will pick up more. Send him a PM for details.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Vin Rouge]

Suggest checking out the Hannibal roof rack. The big advantage is that it sits very low to the roof, so there's minimum leverage from weight up top. I have one on my Defender 90 300tdi, together with a tent and awning. The disadvantage is the cost, but like most things you get what you pay for.

We're just back from travelling the Birdsville, Oodenatta and Strzelecki tracks with not the slightest problem. Didn't really know it was there. No wind noise and only noticable when turning sharply with nothing in the vehicle. When loaded it makes no difference to handling.

[Samo]

Get the hannibal!
They are outstanding i couldn't recommend them highly enough.
Just last week i drove into my normal car space with overhanging concrete beam at about 15km/h and smashed the rooftop-tent and roof racks into it.
The tent is a little bent but as per usually the roof racks are fine not even a mark, it hit with so much force it slid them back about 15cm on the gutters.
I've also hit and slid along quite few trees when 4wding and they just take it.

I have the 2.1m orderd from hannibal in QLD and was deliverd to sydney overnight. I got the ladder as well think it was around $1700.

[KarlB]

Both Hannibal and Wind Cheetah roof racks are excellent, and seem to me to be the best available on the Australian market. I looked at both and talked to several owners of each before I bought mine. Every owner thought their rack was the best. I couldn't separate them in terms of overall strength and finish. In the end I opted for the Wind Cheetah. Not because it was cheaper, but that one of the available options was a stainless steel table that could slide under the roof rack. This has proved to be an excellent decision which I don't regret for one minute. The standard Wind Cheetah rack sits about 2 cm above the roof rails. I opted for slightly longer legs to allow for the table.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Loubrey]

I chose the shorter legs (both an option when you buy it) for clearance issues on day to day driving, but that slide-in table is bl**dy excellent. Same as KarlB, I looked at all the options and permutations on both racks. I must admit I was a bit biased due to faultless service out of 2 previous Front Runner roof racks, but I think I did a fair comparison.

With the shorter legs and all the additional add-ons temporarily removed, the overall height offers no restrictions. The FR rack’s accessories works on a concept of a bolt on base and hook on clips and tabs for fast installation and removal of the jerry can holders, extra spare wheel carrier, gas bottle carrier etc.

I’m definitely not slating the Hannibal either, so best option is to visit OL Wangara, and as they stock both, have a fair comparison.

[JimR]

hey I'm running a geniune LR expedition rack. I can't comment on roof tent as the 90 is tight on space and I need the rear passenger seats for my kids so use the rack for gear. It's a nice solid rack with plenty of tie down locations but it doesn't have solid flooring so I bolted a sheet of marine ply to the base so everything can be chucked on and strapped down. Another good thing about the rack is that it has 4 light mounts on the front and one for a work light at the rear.

Clearance is a bit of an issue, I can't remember exactly but I think in the vicinity of 2.25 or something like that which means it stays parked in the driveway which is good in a way because I have half the garage as a proper workshop for my bicycle collection and trailer. So far I haven't had any car park issues other than being able to get into some. ;)

[Loubrey]

JimR, glad you're happy with the genuine LR rack.

Unless something has changed in the last year or two, that rack is made with mild steal tubing with a plasticote covering in stead of paint. Unfortunately they don't do anything with the inside of the tubes and as they're able to collect rain water, they are prone to rust if not treated yourself. I've bought a second hand 90 in the past with this rack fitted (or at least the 2001 version) and while the modular design is nice and strong, it did start to stain the roof with rust water drips comming out of the joints of the tubes.

I've personally always prefered the aluminium aftermarket ones purely out of the "fit and forget" benefit.

[Defender Mike]

Thanks Guys,

Hey, you know when I intialy looked at moving away from the D2 I wondered if there would be as much help and advice for the 90 as there is for the disco. Well I know now that wont be a problem. Ok I will look at the Hanibal as well. I am in Geelong for a couple of weeks then back to Perth.I will order the rack etc so it can go straight on when the 90 arrives.


Mike:D