Expedition Roof Rack mods

[Dobby]

I have recently purchased a 2014 Defender 110. I had it come with the Land Rover expedition roof rack. I should probably have looked at this type of roof rack a bit more carefully before buying it because it has a few short comings. The biggest shortcoming I have found is the fact that towards the front of the rack, the bar work is spread far apart making limiting what can be put up there. I had envisaged being able to put a cargo box, spare jerry cans, a spare wheel etc, but without some sort of flooring, it seems difficult.


Does anyone have any suggestions/ideas as to what I can do? Should I just put some plywood up there and secure it with u-bolts, or can you buy steel mesh or similar? The roof rack is black and if I got mesh or similar, I would like to have it powder coated (although I don't know how much that would cost).


Regards
Vince

[p38arover]

Is the spacing such to allow for a sunroof?

Perhaps you could get another bar or two welded across the rack.

Not having seen the rack, I'm not sure of how big an area you need to cover but you can buy mesh. Maybe get some of the mesh used on security screen doors, probably from a screen door manufacturer. It might even be powder coated when you get it.

Being in Parkes, your options might be limited.

[TeamFA]

We have a windcheetah rack, so don't have the problem you describe, though we are still able to walk around on the rack, and the bar work is fairly close.

What we are going to do, however, is buy a big sheet of chequerplate aluminium, and attach it to the rack. A sheet nearly big enough to cover the deck, with a small gap at the sides to allow for tying stuff down, can be had on eBay for a fairly affordable sum.

It will then have the effect of a tropical roof as well.

I frequently get up on the roof when we go camping to load and unload the roof bag, and a solid floor would make it a hell of a lot safer for me. I don't bounce as well as I used to (as a recent bike crash proved).

[alleycan1]

I have recently purchased a 2014 Defender 110. I had it come with the Land Rover expedition roof rack. I should probably have looked at this type of roof rack a bit more carefully before buying it because it has a few short comings. The biggest shortcoming I have found is the fact that towards the front of the rack, the bar work is spread far apart making limiting what can be put up there. I had envisaged being able to put a cargo box, spare jerry cans, a spare wheel etc, but without some sort of flooring, it seems difficult.


Does anyone have any suggestions/ideas as to what I can do? Should I just put some plywood up there and secure it with u-bolts, or can you buy steel mesh or similar? The roof rack is black and if I got mesh or similar, I would like to have it powder coated (although I don't know how much that would cost).


Regards
Vince
Vince , I was talking to a fella a few days ago he saw on that had a cut down security door cut down and clamped on with u bolts, i have a expedition rack too , by the way i have a frame for a roof top tent to sit it above the bars if you need one , I was reading in a outback tour guide company magazine sayind the expedition roof rack on the defender is the best for flexibility hope that helps mate ,Cheers Allen

[ProjectDirector]

I have an expedition rack too and I will be getting Aluminium mesh (7mm thick) and fix it using the round hose clips. Will post photos once I get it done. Still trying to find suppliers that have large enough sheets to suit.

[dullbird]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/838.jpg

[PAT303]

Is the spacing such to allow for a sunroof?

Perhaps you could get another bar or two welded across the rack.

Not having seen the rack, I'm not sure of how big an area you need to cover but you can buy mesh. Maybe get some of the mesh used on security screen doors, probably from a screen door manufacturer. It might even be powder coated when you get it.

Being in Parkes, your options might be limited.

Thats what it's for,you can get bolt in bars if you don't have a sunroof. Pat

[PAT303]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/838.jpg

How much does that weigh,too much is my guess. Pat

[dullbird]

there is all different types pat..no doubt made out of all different materials and depending on how much you want to pay..

the one I have put up as an example is from safety devices

[ngarigo]

hmmm... i'm interested in this.... having just fitted an LR rack and now exploring flooring options....

so i'm thinking 6mil marine ply, under coated and painted, resting on a bead of silicone sealant and drilled with a few tie down holes.... it can double as a safari roof out here in the centre ;)... thing is though.... the floor bars are not flat, rising up from the back and down to the front, so three separate boards will be required...

any other thoughts....?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/802.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/puma90/15275466235/)
image (https://www.flickr.com/photos/puma90/15275466235/) by Defender 90 (https://www.flickr.com/people/puma90/), on Flickr

[TeamFA]

I thought of ply, but wouldn't a sheet (or 3) of 2-3mm aluminium tread plate be lighter, and still do the same job?

[Wildcard8]

Sell it and buy a rack that suits your needs. Being LR original you should get good $$ for it.

[Dobby]

Thanks very much people for all your suggestions and help with this one. At this stage I think I'll try and get some aluminium checker plate for about the front third of the rack which should solve the issue I have.
Vince

[Tombie]

Check plate is really good for destroying everything sitting on it when offroad as it files away at whatever is up there...

Flat sheet, or bars put into position or a frame of some sort...

Keep it really light, the Defender roof isnt that strong, the vehicle is high and it will handle like crap...

Too much alloy sheet will also drum from wind..

[Dobby]

Check plate is really good for destroying everything sitting on it when offroad as it files away at whatever is up there...

Flat sheet, or bars put into position or a frame of some sort...

Keep it really light, the Defender roof isnt that strong, the vehicle is high and it will handle like crap...

Too much alloy sheet will also drum from wind..



Thanks Tombie,
I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'm going to keep the weight down as much as possible as well.
Vince

[CraigE]

I have the LR G4 or Expedition rack. Up front I have the solar panel, so that takes up the front section, however plan was to get some aluminium diamond mesh and do the back 2/3rds. Will do as soon as i get another job. Like most other things is on hold atm.