New Gobi Rack pics, question for other owners...

[McGruder]

Haven't posted here in a while. I got this new Gobi Stealth Rack, which I'm totally impressed with, so I thought I'd share these photos. Unfortunately, the ladder is on back order. No hitches with the install to really speak of. Definitely a 2 man job to get it positioned on the roof of the 4 Runner.

I will say that I get a bit of wind turbulence on my head with the sunroof open. I adjusted the wind deflector pretty much according to the instructions (see pics). If any of you have advice regarding cutting down on that, I'd appreciate it.

 

[McGruder]

Here are some images of the sunroof area, pertaining to the wind turbulence. I faded the deflector back along with the pitch of the windshield border. The deflector has a pretty good mating, or contact with the roof.

 

[McGruder]

3 month follow-up

I went on a trip to OBX and took advantage of 75% of the rack, and the utility of the rack proved to be excellent. Had to rely on one of those tire steps for loading since the ladder had not arrived in time for the trip. The rack is sturdy as hell, and I've gotten comments from different people who like it. I did notice a small spot that I scratched on the rack has already rusted, so be sure touch up those spots unprotected by the paint.

Incidentally, the Gobi tie-down system is excellent, albeit expensive at $160. The straps and the ratchets are very heavy duty, have flawless operation, and look good aesthetically. Once you have the straps pulled out and hooked to a rail on the opposite side, you can just press a tab on the ratchet, and it reels in the slack. Then you just ratchet the tension tighter as necessary.

I've got the ladder, but still haven't installed it.

Still no solution to the wind turbulence when the roof is fully open. What seems to minimize it for the driver is opening the rear windows a few inches. Not a good solution if you have passengers in the back. This has been the only downside to the rack. I'll have to see if I can play with the deflector's distance from the rail to see if it make a difference. Maybe if I move t closer to the front rail, it will push the wind over the sunroof hole.

 

[Bigbriman]

I'm looking at getting this same rack, so I appreciate the write-up. Do you still get the turbulence when the back window is down?


Looks great BTW!

 

[hokiemike]

About that wind noise...

I don't have that rack, nor am I a wind or fluid engineer, but I can attest to the fact that even the smallest non-smooth area can make LOTS of noise.

I had my windshield replaced about a year ago, and when the guy did it the first time, he mounted the windshield about 1/32 of an inch too low. This may not sound like much, but it left that gap above the glass (small black rubber in there) to be slightly large. it whistled like crazy inside!

To confirm the problem and then get it fixed, I took masking tape and went across the entire top seam of the glass where it met the truck and drove around the block. That helped me isolate where the noise was coming from although I already "knew" it was the new glass. The guy came back and fixed it. it's great now, but my advice to you is to start with the masking tape and see if you can make a difference by smoothing out something, closing up a small gap, etc.

Once you figure out how to affect that noise the best, then go work on a more permanent solution.

I look at how that air dam meets the truck and see that big strip of rubber and wonder... or it could be that the air dam is just vibrating too much in the wind.. who knows.

Last thought on this... I must open the rear window just a crack when using the sunroof as well - always have. If I don't then I get that odd "wind beating, compression noise" (not sure what you call it). Besides, I like having the back open and getting a small breeze anyway so it doesn't bother me.


Good Luck figuring it out!

 

[McGruder]

I'm looking at getting this same rack, so I appreciate the write-up. Do you still get the turbulence when the back window is down?


Looks great BTW!

If I open the rear window or the rear passenger windows about 3 inches, it seems to act as a vent and tame the turbulence. The bad thing about opening that rear window is that rotten egg catalytic converter odor. If all the windows are up and the roof is open, it blows down on my head in gusts the come in and subside sporadically. I'm hoping some adjustment with that wind deflector will do it. Still haven't tried, because I'm busy taking advantage of fall colors on the motorcycle.

 

[McGruder]

Last thought on this... I must open the rear window just a crack when using the sunroof as well - always have. If I don't then I get that odd "wind beating, compression noise" (not sure what you call it). Besides, I like having the back open and getting a small breeze anyway so it doesn't bother me.

Good Luck figuring it out!

Just to be clear, I'm experiencing more of a "strong wind gusting on top of my head" problem than a resonating cabin pressure sound problem, which you seem to be describing. Similar set of issues though.

I'll report back after I've adjusted it forward and/or back from where it is in the pics above.

 

[Antman]

FWIW- I don't have much turbulence or noise at all with my current setup. Originally, I had 4 Hella FF75 halogen lights mounted up there and I had a TON of wind noise. I pretty much couldn't enjoy the sunroof open at all. After the switch to the Rigid LED's it's completely different and quiet.

I guess it's because they sit back farther and out of the wind stream. Buy some Rigid LED's!


PS- I'll be driving through your neighborhood early tomorrow- launching my boat at Mariner's Point!:fishing:

 

[McGruder]

FWIW- I don't have much turbulence or noise at all with my current setup. Originally, I had 4 Hella FF75 halogen lights mounted up there and I had a TON of wind noise. I pretty much couldn't enjoy the sunroof open at all. After the switch to the Rigid LED's it's completely different and quiet.

I guess it's because they sit back farther and out of the wind stream. Buy some Rigid LED's!


PS- I'll be driving through your neighborhood early tomorrow- launching my boat at Mariner's Point!:fishing:

Antman - You almost give me a perfectly good excuse to mount lights on the rack, lol. I've spent too much on the Harley lately for this to fly. You've done an amazing job with your 4Runner, and I've been wondering when I'll see you beating around in Bel Air - not yet.

I know Mariner's Point. You'll sort of be in my neighborhood, but I'm actually on the Route 7 side of 95, on Franklinville Rd which is right off of Mountain. Stop by sometime.