D4 Platform rack on Factory rails

[nathanmac36]

Hi Everyone,

I've done a fair bit of searching and have come up with very little.

Has anyone mounted a flat platform rack directly to the factory fitted long roof rails? I want to keep the height down instead of mounting the platform to cross bars.

From measurements a 1200W platform would fit but I don't how how it would mount.

I'm not a fan of the backbone systems.

cheers

[Ferret]

The Front Runner platform mounts directly to the bolt holes in the roof channels without even needing rails.

[nathanmac36]

The Front Runner platform mounts directly to the bolt holes in the roof channels without even needing rails.

Correct but it is very similar to the Rhino Rack "Backbone" system which I don't like. The frontrunner rack also sits a fair bit higher than the factory rails and replaces them.

[goldey]

Hi there

I have to ask why not the backbone system? Is it the look, potential wind noise?

I've just installed a full length flat rhino pioneer style (cheap chinese knockoff) rack system with backbones and aside from it being a fairly lengthy task to fit, I am very pleased with the way it sits low on the roof line (lower than my previous full length rails and Landrover roof rack combo) on our Disco 4. It does have slightly more wind noise than the old setup but the amount of space to be able to carry the swags, surfboards, chairs etc far outweighs the minimal increase in wind noise.

FWIW

CHeers

Goldey

[Macadamia]

you can mount a rhino rack pioneer platform to the factory long rails with low profile legs (not backbone) but I was told it has to the the 1376mm wide platform (the 1236mm wide will only mount with the backbone apparently). in fact most platforms will mount to the factory rails, they're pretty standard.

I really liked the look of the pioneer platform on low profile legs but couldn't justify the cost so I ended up getting an alloy rack 1250x1800 for $600. It's pretty similar to the ones ARB sell. Would have preferred something a bit longer but their options were 2200 which is far to long for the car, and 1800. The legs attach with 35mm T bolts.

170581170582

[cjc_td5]

Like this?
I 3D printed seats for the platform to sit on.

170583

I've since ditched the platform and use a Tracklander rack.

170584

The racks site about 25mm off the roof at its lowest clearance.

Chris

[nathanmac36]

Hi there

I have to ask why not the backbone system? Is it the look, potential wind noise?

I've just installed a full length flat rhino pioneer style (cheap chinese knockoff) rack system with backbones and aside from it being a fairly lengthy task to fit, I am very pleased with the way it sits low on the roof line (lower than my previous full length rails and Landrover roof rack combo) on our Disco 4. It does have slightly more wind noise than the old setup but the amount of space to be able to carry the swags, surfboards, chairs etc far outweighs the minimal increase in wind noise.

FWIW

CHeers

Goldey

Its the look, cost and height. The Frontrunner rack sits quite a bit higher than the factory rails and the backbone looks to be the same. If I can mount the platform directly to the factory rails it will sit nice and low.

[nathanmac36]

Like this?
I 3D printed seats for the platform to sit on.

170583

I've since ditched the platform and use a Tracklander rack.

170584

The racks site about 25mm off the roof at its lowest clearance.

Chris

That looks great! exactly the thing I'm after. thanks for that

[PeterJ]

Or like this, Pioneer platform 1380x1925 on 6 feet that attach to the factory long rails.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210427/541cd08c8e569f4ce73d8818911f75fb.jpg

[goldey]

Only photo I have of the new rack, and you can tell that I haven't gotten to attaching the covers on the rail recesses as yet [bigwhistle]

170630

[rhinosm]

I went rogue and mounted Rhino Platform directly to Disco Long Rails.
I used the Rhino spacer and bolted thru rack to rails.
I don't have any up close photos currently, the better half has taken disco to work but these pics will show how low it sits.

I too didn't like the extra height the legs give it.
I'll get some closer pics tonight.

[haydndeane]

I went rogue and mounted Rhino Platform directly to Disco Long Rails.
I used the Rhino spacer and bolted thru rack to rails.
I don't have any up close photos currently, the better half has taken disco to work but these pics will show how low it sits.

I too didn't like the extra height the legs give it.
I'll get some closer pics tonight.


Would love to do the same with my D4 which also has the full length rails. Is this the 1928 x 1376 Tradie Rack? Can you tell me which Rhino spacers you used? Cheers mate

[rhinosm]

Hi
Yes it is the 1928 x 1376 Tradie Rack.
Spacers are per image from Rhino Web site.
I originally installed rack on RLT500 legs but didn't like the height.
You will need to get some suitable HT Bolts and Flat Nuts to slide into rails and drill holes in Platform rails to bolt thru.

A bit hard to explain but I will take more photos.
I currently just have 3 Rain cross bars on car for ladders and Roof Top Tent.
I wish I went for flat platform, not tradies as it is too high for car parks.

[cjc_td5]

Hi
Yes it is the 1928 x 1376 Tradie Rack.
Spacers are per image from Rhino Web site.
I originally installed rack on RLT500 legs but didn't like the height.
You will need to get some suitable HT Bolts and Flat Nuts to slide into rails and drill holes in Platform rails to bolt thru.

A bit hard to explain but I will take more photos.
I currently just have 3 Rain cross bars on car for ladders and Roof Top Tent.
I wish I went for flat platform, not tradies as it is too high for car parks.

That is pretty much how the Tracklander rack in my post is mounted. I cut some rectangular aluminium plates to slide in to the roof rails with a threaded hole in the centre. Then just a bolt through the rack in to the plate in the rail. The 3D printed legs are only as spacers. All 6 legs are different heights and orientation as the rails have curvature in both directions along the roof....

[rhinosm]

Thank you, I forgot to mention the different heights.
I think I used 2 spacers at front and rear and 1 spacer in middle.

[PeterJ]

I went rogue and mounted Rhino Platform directly to Disco Long Rails.
I used the Rhino spacer and bolted thru rack to rails.
I don't have any up close photos currently, the better half has taken disco to work but these pics will show how low it sits.

I too didn't like the extra height the legs give it.
I'll get some closer pics tonight.Looks good mounted low to the roof, just wondering how you wash the car roof, at least on the standard feet you can get between the two for a bit of a clean and polish

[ramblingboy42]

I know you are talking D4 , but I fitted a rack to my D2 , similar rails.

I simply used u bolts. Put the rack up where I wanted it and bought 8 x 8mm stainless steel u bolts, I can't remember the length , but I also got fish plates or saddle plates to suit and nyloc nuts. I used staino just in case any rustdrips from mild steel bolts found the roof.

The rack went on and off a number of times over the years , no permant fixing made it simple.

[LRD4XXV]

Im also interested in this discussion. Feels like I have researched this for years and never really found the right solution...

I also have the full length factory rails and would like to keep them, that means no frontrunner or backbone.

So far I've got away with either factory or Rhino cross bars for my application. However it would be nice to have a platform up there for the odd occasion, one I can remove easily.

I don't want a full length platform either, as I have a sunroof and keen to keep that accessible.

Best solution I can come up with so far is the Rhino platform/tradie 1528mm x 1376mm (I think this is the narrowest you can go), on RCL / RTL legs. However as someone stated earlier, this really sits too high off the roof for my liking.

Ideal solution would be one of these platforms and some other way of mounting so its sits lower. If anyone has any suggestions or info, photos to share, really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[rhinosm]

Finally got some photos.
Currently I have 3 cross rails on, but I mount the platform the same way.
Simple, low and rigid.

[nathanmac36]

Hi
Yes it is the 1928 x 1376 Tradie Rack.
Spacers are per image from Rhino Web site.
I originally installed rack on RLT500 legs but didn't like the height.
You will need to get some suitable HT Bolts and Flat Nuts to slide into rails and drill holes in Platform rails to bolt thru.

A bit hard to explain but I will take more photos.
I currently just have 3 Rain cross bars on car for ladders and Roof Top Tent.
I wish I went for flat platform, not tradies as it is too high for car parks.



Thanks for the detailed information! From your photos that looks to be exactly what I am trying to achieve. A nice low-profile platform mounted to the factory rails.

If I remember to take photos when I mount a platform I will post it up!

[cjc_td5]

Here are my platform bases. They have done a couple of desert trips to date with no issues.
Chttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210511/f017090e7ec781816651f5b8914c191a.jpg

[nathanmac36]

I ended up making some simple spacers out of 40x5mm flat bar. 2 spacers under the front and rear, then 1 spacer and a 2mm spacer for the middle as the roof is not flat.

Feels really solid and with the batwing in access mode I should still come in under 2m (just).

In the future I might go with a longer rack but for now the 1380mm seems okay. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210513/066a14d8feee4d0316da2e896acfe202.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210513/34cd9dc542556f9379d8e351327c8c43.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210513/dc01ed1e4c5a99f2b891e73653568b70.jpg

[John_D4]

Someone said that you can mount a backbone without removing the trench cover. Does anyone know if that is actually possible? Going to install my new backbone tomorrow

[Eric SDV6SE]

Someone said that you can mount a backbone without removing the trench cover. Does anyone know if that is actually possible? Going to install my new backbone tomorrow

Definitely, thats how i did mine. I did remove said cover carefully, clean out the trench underneath, retapped the threaded holes where the backbone mounts, and then marked the cover where these holes are and drilled through when off the car. Makes a much nicer finish, you dont need to cut the covers at all, just drill through where the backbone mounts. I then applied silicone around the cap bolt before installing and when done up to seal it all up.

I ignored the rhino instructions, pretty useless imho.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I ended up making some simple spacers out of 40x5mm flat bar. 2 spacers under the front and rear, then 1 spacer and a 2mm spacer for the middle as the roof is not flat.

Feels really solid and with the batwing in access mode I should still come in under 2m (just).

In the future I might go with a longer rack but for now the 1380mm seems okay. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210513/066a14d8feee4d0316da2e896acfe202.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210513/34cd9dc542556f9379d8e351327c8c43.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210513/dc01ed1e4c5a99f2b891e73653568b70.jpg
Looks great! Nice low profile. I'm using the backbone and I inverted the brackets for the standard awning (no batwing-yet). This means top edge of awning sits near flush to top of rack, still clears the door opening below, and in access mode I'm at 1.95m. Highest point is actually the eyebolt anchors screwed into each corner.
171343

[Tombie]

Looks great! Nice low profile. I'm using the backbone and I inverted the brackets for the standard awning (no batwing-yet). This means top edge of awning sits near flush to top of rack, still clears the door opening below, and in access mode I'm at 1.95m. Highest point is actually the eyebolt anchors screwed into each corner.

I run a bracket on my awning that allows it to sit on the rack, so inside the rack line.
Then folds up and locks in position when needed.
Also allows it to be quickly and completely removed when not needed.

[gavinwibrow]

I run a bracket on my awning that allows it to sit on the rack, so inside the rack line.
Then folds up and locks in position when needed.
Also allows it to be quickly and completely removed when not needed.

Got a pic Mike please?

[Tombie]

Got a pic Mike please?

Here you go

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210604/e8109a19ca77a9e6dee29bf43fd06cff.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210604/c9a7c32e5978b473250eff48616f82d6.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210604/e749d7b53455ac600f0786a7b5b3c104.jpg

[transtar]

Looks great Mike. Where can you get the fold down brackets from.

[Tombie]

Looks great Mike. Where can you get the fold down brackets from.

This version is from Prospeed UK

[nathanmac36]

Looks great! Nice low profile. I'm using the backbone and I inverted the brackets for the standard awning (no batwing-yet). This means top edge of awning sits near flush to top of rack, still clears the door opening below, and in access mode I'm at 1.95m. Highest point is actually the eyebolt anchors screwed into each corner.
171343The batwing brackets are also able to be inverted so it sits lower. On the lower mount it still clears the side doors but as it wraps around the back, the tailgate hits the awning.
With it mounted up higher I can JUST scrape in under 2m in access mode. The brackets Tombie posted above look pretty good!