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Thread: Full size flat roof rack on D2 to keep the same height

  1. #1
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    Full size flat roof rack on D2 to keep the same height

    Hi all. Anyone fitted a full size flat roof rack that actually keep the same height of the original roof on a D2 and can share some ideas or images? I imagine this setup either needs to remove and block holes for the original hand rails then custom rain gutter legs (for the full roof weight loads) or direct fit on top of the original hand rails bolt holes (for light roof weight loads).

  2. #2
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    D1 D2 .. pretty much the same thing(roof rack wise in this case).

    I've previously posted about mine.
    Got many years ago .. had to be aluminium(weight and less rust prone once scratched to bits by the various Aussie flora).
    Is pretty much flat.
    Front has to sit up a bit higher of course, but the rear section is pretty much on the roof.
    Impossible to get a hand or tool under the bracketing of the rack itself to adjust the positioning of the leg/uprights .. so it all has to be set up loose sitting in the gutter, adjusted, then clamped onto the gutters.
    Also impossible to wash the roof properly, and in not being able to do so regularly a 'mossy' film like surface can build up on the paint.

    As mentioned before, it had to be aluminium(not steel) so cost about 3x more .. but the side benefit of it being lighter weight(and not having a helper to help fit or remove it) .. it's quite easy to remove-refit by yourself, if you have the room to do so.
    I put some cushions underneath it, loosen the gutter rails, it gets raised by maybe a foot(30cm) due to the cushions, slide it backwards entire rack comes back and down. Rest one long edge on the ground, pick it up carry away .. then wash roof!

    Major issue with aluminium is tying(strapping) stuff down. I use ratchet straps(have so many .. anyone need some? ).
    Aluminium is strong for it's weight, but not for it's size(compared to steel).

    So I got myself come tie down loops(can't recall the brand now, but popular roof rack manufacturer ... drilled the upper ends of the roof gutter support legs, tie down hoops bolted into place. Works a charm.
    Had 15 x 2.4m 50mm treated pine sleepers on it as my maximum load(1klm trip from the hardware) many bumps and turns tho .. didn't budge.
    I mainly use it for firewood when we camp .. quickly ratchet strap them down .. can be a few hundred meter drive or could be a few klms.

    Brother has a 3/4 railed rack on his D2, and it's more of a pain to get firewood up there by comparison, but on the really short, maybe max 1klm, runs we don't strap them down as they do sit well within the railing when driven sensibly.

    I would estimate that with a flat rack(round section tubing type) you may add approx 75mm(max) .. maybe less, to the roof height.
    Uprights have a few inches of adjustability in them to go higher or lowest possible position ... as you see fit to set it too.

    As in my other posts about the rack I got, it was got from an ebayer but not via ebay .. they were local to me, paid them cash .. $600ish IIRC.

    EDIT:
    added link to ebay for similar/same product.

    LINK TO EBAY

    I bought from this place, they provided very good service.
    Arthur.

    '99 D1 300Tdi Auto
    '03 D2 Td5 Auto

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
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    Thanks loads mate!!! You really made a Tutorial and leave me no more imagination.
    Quote Originally Posted by AK83 View Post
    D1 D2 .. pretty much the same thing(roof rack wise in this case).

    I've previously posted about mine.
    Got many years ago .. had to be aluminium(weight and less rust prone once scratched to bits by the various Aussie flora).
    Is pretty much flat.
    Front has to sit up a bit higher of course, but the rear section is pretty much on the roof.
    Impossible to get a hand or tool under the bracketing of the rack itself to adjust the positioning of the leg/uprights .. so it all has to be set up loose sitting in the gutter, adjusted, then clamped onto the gutters.
    Also impossible to wash the roof properly, and in not being able to do so regularly a 'mossy' film like surface can build up on the paint.

    As mentioned before, it had to be aluminium(not steel) so cost about 3x more .. but the side benefit of it being lighter weight(and not having a helper to help fit or remove it) .. it's quite easy to remove-refit by yourself, if you have the room to do so.
    I put some cushions underneath it, loosen the gutter rails, it gets raised by maybe a foot(30cm) due to the cushions, slide it backwards entire rack comes back and down. Rest one long edge on the ground, pick it up carry away .. then wash roof!

    Major issue with aluminium is tying(strapping) stuff down. I use ratchet straps(have so many .. anyone need some? ).
    Aluminium is strong for it's weight, but not for it's size(compared to steel).

    So I got myself come tie down loops(can't recall the brand now, but popular roof rack manufacturer ... drilled the upper ends of the roof gutter support legs, tie down hoops bolted into place. Works a charm.
    Had 15 x 2.4m 50mm treated pine sleepers on it as my maximum load(1klm trip from the hardware) many bumps and turns tho .. didn't budge.
    I mainly use it for firewood when we camp .. quickly ratchet strap them down .. can be a few hundred meter drive or could be a few klms.

    Brother has a 3/4 railed rack on his D2, and it's more of a pain to get firewood up there by comparison, but on the really short, maybe max 1klm, runs we don't strap them down as they do sit well within the railing when driven sensibly.

    I would estimate that with a flat rack(round section tubing type) you may add approx 75mm(max) .. maybe less, to the roof height.
    Uprights have a few inches of adjustability in them to go higher or lowest possible position ... as you see fit to set it too.

    As in my other posts about the rack I got, it was got from an ebayer but not via ebay .. they were local to me, paid them cash .. $600ish IIRC.

    EDIT:
    added link to ebay for similar/same product.

    LINK TO EBAY

    I bought from this place, they provided very good service.

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