Gobi Rack GROUP BUY. Stealth Rooftop Rack. Free ladder or sun roof insert

[DHeuschele]

Thanks Reklov and Gobi

Reklov-
I will say it again- thank you Reklov and Gobi! I absolutely love this rack and ladder!

Ditto.



I have experienced all levels of costomer support from Gobi on this purchase:
- I have had email not responded to for days (the bad)
- The rack was approximately 2 weeks later than they indicated it would be when I placed my order (not good)
- I have had them send me a replacement part the next day for a part I needed to cut off (the good)

I would like the customer support to be first rate and do not typically excuse otherwise. However in this case this sale likely increased their business significantly which meant there was more customer support required than they are accustomed to. I suspect if they were always this busy they would hire additional customer support help but it is difficult to hire help for a month or two month spike.

I really like my ladder, rack, and sun roof insert. I am barely satisfied with the customer support but wish it had been to the same level as the quality of the product.

I do understand anyone who complains about the customer support especially if they were told that Gobi would do things and Gobi did not.

I hope everyone likes the product they receive as much as I do.

 

[adio3x]

My only gripe about Gobi was that they didn't ship out orders in the order that they were placed. I ordered my ladder in may, their have been other members that just placed their orders in the past month and have gotten their stuff before me, same for a few other members. I called Sandra a few hours ago and it looked like she had forgotten about me. She had to go back to the warehouse and see if their was a spare ladder left to ship out to me. I'm not bashing on their product, cause their racks are awesome, but the customer service is crap.

 

[Okki]

Talked to Sandra last night and found out my ladder has been with FedEx for the last 2 days.. will be delivered today! If she would have emailed out the tracking number that would have saved me (and her) 2 days of annoyed phone calls!

Anyway.. Glad it will be here today and going on the truck this weekend!

Okki

WHOOOhoooo .. and it's here!

 

[DHeuschele]

Rack being returned - problem with powder coat

Unfortunately my rack is going back. It has an issue with the powder coat (peeling off (over a dozen spots) after only 5 days on the truck and not a single use except for people climbing up there - it is even peeling where no one has likely touched it). It is a real pain in the as_ to remove from truck, pack, return, get replacement, and reinstall. Gobi offered me a free accessory which does not really make up for the time, effort, inconvenience, etc., but is more than they were obligated to offer.

I am still working out return details with Gobi. I had a trip planned to the Sierras next week but I suspect it will not require the rack so I can send it back as soon as details are worked out with Gobi.

I hope I am the only one that has this issue but I fear if I have it then someone else might also have it. It is nearly impossible to miss as there will be missing areas of powder coat at quite a few locations.

I will say that Gobi instantly stood behind their product. I was unsure if their preference would be for me to take it somewhere here to get powder coated at their expense or the return. My preference (and their preference) is the return ratter than trying to get it powder coated here as I suspect the return will be faster. It will cost Gobi the shipping of mine back and the shipping of the replacement (as well as the accessory that they offered for my inconvenience).

Needless to say I am bummed.

 

[reklov]

Needless to say I am bummed.

Sorry to hear that. They dont do the powdercoating in house so hopefully this was a one time problem.

 

[joneseyyy]

Ladder is on! No more living in fear of breaking my neck getting on and off the rack.

 

[DHeuschele]

lights and wiring

Still looking for some light options hopefully with pictures.

Also looking for where to run electrical from 4Runner to rack.

Has anyone tried the cheap Harbor Freight Hallogen lights? How do they light? How do they look? How do they last?

 

[Okki]

Still looking for some light options hopefully with pictures.

Also looking for where to run electrical from 4Runner to rack.

Has anyone tried the cheap Harbor Freight Hallogen lights? How do they light? How do they look? How do they last?

I'm wrapping up my install this weekend, but below are some pics that should get you started. feel free to PM with any questions.

The electrical schema. I ordered 2 sets of HELLA 007133831 Micro FF Series 12V/55W Halogen Driving Lamp Kit
They were $55/each here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MOAHO6/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002M9RHS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=100QXAT1P5FQ158J2DM8

FROM THE ENGINE BAY TO THE ROOF:

Fusebox (high voltage relay switched) and relay for lights. I fabricated the brackets for the fusebox and the relay from sheet aluminum. The Stinger SGP38 relay is mounted using factory threaded holes in the fender. My brackets also use factory holes.

Grounded on factory grounding

Routed via existing hole in firewall into the cab.

Hole cut into rubber to allow wires through (left side driver foot-well)

Trim a hole for your switches. What it looks like with switches installed.

I used two 20ft wires to run from the engine bay to the rear roof. Pull the sill plates to hide the wire (driver side).

Pull sill plate for driver side passenger. Also pull the weather stripping to run the wires up into the cargo area.

Fish the wires out of the jack cover.

Run the wire up via the rear light access panel.

Pull the rear trim loose (does not need to be removed). this is the annoying part to run the wires through.

Use a trim removal tool to pull the plugs from the headliner and carefully pull it down a bit while you run the wires into the light gate connection.

Trim a hole in the rubber and exit the wires. dont forget to wirewrap them. Run them under the rubber raingutter cover. You will have to trim a corner out.

Run the wires under the rear mounting point for the rack and up to connect to the wires exiting from the rack (again.. wrap after connecting them). I used both white and black to run power to the lights. white powers 2 and black powers 2). both black and white are connected to a single powerline into the cab. the line for the rear lights is taped off for future usage.

Wires cleaned up under the front of the rack.

The black and white wire on the passenger side of the rack are both use for grounding. each wire grounds 2 lights.

Grounded via the rack bolts and covered with liquid electrical tape.

Hopefully this helps!

Okki

 

[DHeuschele]

thanks for the details

Hopefully this helps!
Okki

It helps alot, but it is also looks like more work than I was expecting.

 

[adio3x]

Finally got my ladder today, big thanks to reklov for setting this up!

 

[phillyd2]

I ordered these lights:

Amazon.com: PIAA 2192 2100X Xtreme White Lamp Kit: Automotive

Still NO Rack, NO Ladder and NO word from GOBI :redbrick:

 

[adio3x]

I ordered these lights:

Amazon.com: PIAA 2192 2100X Xtreme White Lamp Kit: Automotive

Still NO Rack, NO Ladder and NO word from GOBI :redbrick:

Sorry to hear that man. I would just call Gobi. I was getting nowhere with emails, I called Sandra and she said she would ship it out and give me the tracking number. A week went by, no package, called her again and she got it all fixed.

 

[Okki]

I updated the electrical schema with more details:

Check my build thread for more details.

Okki

 

[reklov]

Thread has been quiet for a few days. Everyone get theirs or their tracking #? if not, how many people haven't received theirs?

 

[phillyd2]

how many people haven't received theirs?

Me

 

[reklov]

Oh, btw this is for people that ordered when the group buy was happening. Not the late comers that got the deal.

Phillyd2 did you just get a regular rack or did you ask for something custom?

 

[phillyd2]

Nothing special

 

[adio3x]

Just put my ladder on

 

[adio3x]

For everyone with the ladder, did anyone swap out the shocks for the rear gate? If so, what did you use?

 

[Grape Ape]

For everyone with the ladder, did anyone swap out the shocks for the rear gate? If so, what did you use?

I didn't have any need to, I actually like it better now that it's easier to close and have no issues with it opening and extending completely