ALL Owners of the Gobi Stealth Rack: Here's your chance...

[Jasalvas]

Exactly what I'm mulling over now. Got a quote for a clear bra and I have set an appointment date for the install. Have to confirm with the shop this week and hopefully have it done on Good Friday. The installer recommended the clear bra as it's more durable and would last longer than simply wrapping the roof. There will be some maintenance needed but with a clear bra I wouldn't care so much if I was a bit rough with it far as cleaning and coating it periodically.

Did you receive a quote for installation?


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[Sifrk]

Did you receive a quote for installation?


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Yeah, I've only gotten a few callbacks so far. One shop wants $550 but since they don't work weekends I'd have to take a day off (but a holiday is coming up). The other guy is a mobile installer and wants $650. Any way you slice it, it's a good chunk of change.

 

[Jasalvas]

Yeah, I've only gotten a few callbacks so far. One shop wants $550 but since they don't work weekends I'd have to take a day off (but a holiday is coming up). The other guy is a mobile installer and wants $650. Any way you slice it, it's a good chunk of change.

Wow... I think I'll be waxing the roof top bi-annually?


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[blacksheep4]

I finally took my Gobi off after about two years, it was starting to grow it's own mossy ecosystem in some of the harder to reach parts. I was curious to see what kind of damage the fairing had done to the paint, as I hadn't thought to put anything under it when I first installed it. I didn't take an after picture but you can see what was growing around it, even after an initial hose off. I don't clean my truck often, but I clean the shit out of it when I do, so I washed, clay barred for the first time, and waxed the whole thing (except the wheels because who cares?). The rooftop paint looks like new now, aside from the fairing area which has dulled considerably but not scratched through the paint. A lot of soap and then the clay bar pulled all of the crud up easily. It's probably worth it to put a strip under the fairing for longevity, but for those of you considering wrapping the whole roof, I'm not sure that it's worth that much $$$. My roof is now the only part of my truck that isn't scratched, dinged, swirl marked, and it's simply because the rack itself takes all of the abuse. I think I'll continue to just remove the rack once a year and heap on the wax.

 

[Sifrk]

Wow... I think I'll be waxing the roof top bi-annually?


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Yeah, I'm seriously thinking about following your lead. That's a crap load of road trip gas money!

 

[Jasalvas]

I finally took my Gobi off after about two years, it was starting to grow it's own mossy ecosystem in some of the harder to reach parts. I was curious to see what kind of damage the fairing had done to the paint, as I hadn't thought to put anything under it when I first installed it. I didn't take an after picture but you can see what was growing around it, even after an initial hose off. I don't clean my truck often, but I clean the shit out of it when I do, so I washed, clay barred for the first time, and waxed the whole thing (except the wheels because who cares?). The rooftop paint looks like new now, aside from the fairing area which has dulled considerably but not scratched through the paint. A lot of soap and then the clay bar pulled all of the crud up easily. It's probably worth it to put a strip under the fairing for longevity, but for those of you considering wrapping the whole roof, I'm not sure that it's worth that much $$$. My roof is now the only part of my truck that isn't scratched, dinged, swirl marked, and it's simply because the rack itself takes all of the abuse. I think I'll continue to just remove the rack once a year and heap on the wax.

Thank your for your feedback. I like the idea of having the roof covered but the initial cost for the wrap is steep. I as well think I'll make a day of waxing the roof once a year.


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[unrealtom]

I finally took my Gobi off after about two years, it was starting to grow it's own mossy ecosystem in some of the harder to reach parts. I was curious to see what kind of damage the fairing had done to the paint, as I hadn't thought to put anything under it when I first installed it. I didn't take an after picture but you can see what was growing around it, even after an initial hose off. I don't clean my truck often, but I clean the shit out of it when I do, so I washed, clay barred for the first time, and waxed the whole thing (except the wheels because who cares?). The rooftop paint looks like new now, aside from the fairing area which has dulled considerably but not scratched through the paint. A lot of soap and then the clay bar pulled all of the crud up easily. It's probably worth it to put a strip under the fairing for longevity, but for those of you considering wrapping the whole roof, I'm not sure that it's worth that much $$$. My roof is now the only part of my truck that isn't scratched, dinged, swirl marked, and it's simply because the rack itself takes all of the abuse. I think I'll continue to just remove the rack once a year and heap on the wax.

This is really nice setup. I just ordered Gobi on my SR5.. can't wait As for the scratches - how about transparent body wrap around the doors and basically the lower sections of the vehicle? It might help.

 

[shufly09]

Yeah, I've only gotten a few callbacks so far. One shop wants $550 but since they don't work weekends I'd have to take a day off (but a holiday is coming up). The other guy is a mobile installer and wants $650. Any way you slice it, it's a good chunk of change.

I know you are not in CO, but I had mine installed at Gobi's shop for free. They actually wanted to do the install themselves to ensure there would be no issues down the line. I did not reject their offer!

 

[blacksheep4]

This is really nice setup. I just ordered Gobi on my SR5.. can't wait As for the scratches - how about transparent body wrap around the doors and basically the lower sections of the vehicle? It might help.

Thank you. That would probably work but I'm not too worried about all that. It probably sounded like I was complaining, but I was just trying to make the point that even without a wrap on the roof, the paint up there is in much better shape than the rest of the vehicle. Enjoy your rack!

 

[WEAK_E90]

going on 11 weeks now for mine.

I knew it would take up to 14.

 

[Sifrk]

I know you are not in CO, but I had mine installed at Gobi's shop for free. They actually wanted to do the install themselves to ensure there would be no issues down the line. I did not reject their offer!

Wished that was a viable option for me too.

 

[WODWorldWide]

I know you are not in CO, but I had mine installed at Gobi's shop for free. They actually wanted to do the install themselves to ensure there would be no issues down the line. I did not reject their offer!

I did this as well when I ordered mine 3 years ago. I lived 5 minutes from the shop so it was a no brainer. They were really nice and made quick work of it. I am not positive but they had 30 or so people sowing in the back what I can only assume was a trasharoo or something similar.

 

[Colo-4Runner]

I know you are not in CO, but I had mine installed at Gobi's shop for free. They actually wanted to do the install themselves to ensure there would be no issues down the line. I did not reject their offer!

Was happy when they told me that was part of the local deal, I also only waited 4 weeks after ordering through trail duty.

 

[leftyguns21]

new owner of gobi stealth thanks to the group buy. i did local install which went very smooth.

my initial reactions:

• my 'gripe' is with the accessory. I got the toolbox with the understanding it would sit flush with the rack, but it sticks up a full 2" higher. which means I have to remove it anytime I want to use a RTT. you can see it in the picture.
• weight, it weighs a lot. its a clear difference while driving. I will re-fuel today and keep track of MPGs. I don't anticipate a huge difference. its basically like riding with another person always in your car.
• I thought there would be better light management, meaning spots to run wires inside the tubes from the light mounts to inside the vehicle. keeping it all clean/hidden/tidy. unless I am missing something I don't see a way
• another 'gripe' is with the removable cross bars. I wish they were powder coated to match the rest of the rack, kind of an odd decision to just spray them. would be nice too if they included the same connectors as the sunroof insert. making it so you don't need a wrench to adjust them. ill be making a trip to home depot to upgrade these.
• so far, no road noise really. I have had it at freeway speeds and haven't noticed anything. no lights yet.
• I haven't tested out climbing on the ladder or standing on the rack. my 4th gen tailgate opens with the extra weight but struggles a little. im sure over time the shocks will weaken and need replacing.
• Build quality is top notch. I love having the mesh cover whole roof. this is going to be great for camping and road trips.
• cleaning under it will be a pain. I can get my hand under it but only about half way across the roof. might get a stick of some sort. i priced a clear bra but it was too pricey for my nearly 10 year old vehicle.

the pros and usefulness of the rack outweigh the 'cons'. excited to put it to use this summer.

 

[Sifrk]

new owner of gobi stealth thanks to the group buy. i did local install which went very smooth.

my initial reactions:

• I haven't tested out climbing on the ladder or standing on the rack. my 4th gen tailgate opens with the extra weight but struggles a little. im sure over time the shocks will weaken and need replacing.

Are you using the stock rear hatch struts? The groupbuy came with beefier struts although I don't know if the 4th gens had the same offer.

 

[leftyguns21]

Are you using the stock rear hatch struts? The groupbuy came with beefier struts although I don't know if the 4th gens had the same offer.

the group buy was new struts for 5th gens only. 4th gen could pick another accessory.

 

[TheWage]

What price was your group buy? Just curious. I placed my order but I'm waiting for them to call me for payment. Should I just go ahead and buy the beefy struts for the lift gate?

 

[Sifrk]

What price was your group buy? Just curious. I placed my order but I'm waiting for them to call me for payment. Should I just go ahead and buy the beefy struts for the lift gate?

I would wait and see before shelling out the money. Besides, I think there are less expensive options. I just installed the ladder yesterday and found the hatch wasn't bogged down as much as I would have thought - still opens and stays opened without issue. The ladder doesn't weigh enough to need new struts at install (at least in my case). I got them because of the group buy so I'll hold on to them until the need arises.

 

[Simpleman74]

I would wait and see before shelling out the money. Besides, I think there are less expensive options. I just installed the ladder yesterday and found the hatch wasn't bogged down as much as I would have thought - still opens and stays opened without issue. The ladder doesn't weigh enough to need new struts at install (at least in my case). I got them because of the group buy so I'll hold on to them until the need arises.

give it a couple weeks... there is a reason HD struts were created for the ladder.

 

[Riverfisher]

The funny thing is with all the different stuff I put up there, my kids still love the 30' Christmas garland the best. And I gotta admit... the GOBI rack provides a ton of options if you're looney enough to use it for that 'decorative mounting purposes'. Next year, I've already got more stuff I'm planning on doing for the Christmas holiday.

THANK YOU FOR THIS! I traded in my Honda Ridgeline for the TRDORP and was wondering where I was going to mount my wreath now that I don't have a bull bar. I can switch things up and use the rack. Oh, the possibilities...Griswolds Unite!



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