Rack + Light Bar Wind Noise Soultions

[onepremiere]

Problem: Sounds like I am driving under a 747 at 65mph+.



Rig: 2017 4Runner No Sunroof (I think this contributes a lot to the wind noise because its a large area of metal that is largely unsupported.)



Mods: Front Runner Roof Rack + Baja Designs 40" OnX6 Light Bar



So I've been trying to reduce the amount of wind noise coming from the rack/light bar. I am stumped at this point. I made a wind fairing to close up the gap between the roof and the rack, it has helped a lot under 65mph, anything over that there is no change.



I've tried using the included Front Runner fairing with no luck. I have a feeling a lot of the noise is coming from the light bar, or the air now being pushed up between the light bar and the roof rack.(Next test is to remove the light bar) But I wanted to get some input as to what I might be doing wrong, or anything I can try next.



The fairing I made is using 1/8" Delrin with a rubber edge seal backed by a 1/8" Aluminum Strip for rigidity mounted using friction hinges.

 

[Baja Designs]

...

Sorry to hear about the noise. I'd recommend spacing the air dam forward so its flush with the light bar and not the rack. Currently there is a lot of air being forced into the cooling fins on the light bar. At certain speeds this can cause a very distracting noise. Having the air dam forward will allow the air to go over the light and not get forced into the cooling fins.

Baja Designs
www.bajadesigns.com

 

[mynameistory]

Yup it's definitely that big honkin light bar. Either move it to your grill or figure out a way for the fairing to incorporate the bar. Also it seems like your light will only illuminate things that are 6 feet or higher, is that useful?

 

[jhguth]

i'd just sell the light bar and get a couple decent fog lights in the grill

 

[SidKo]

Stick a pool noodle or foam pipe insulation under the light bar. Drive it again and see if that eliminates the noise.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Sorry to hear about the noise. I'd recommend spacing the air dam forward so its flush with the light bar and not the rack. Currently there is a lot of air being forced into the cooling fins on the light bar. At certain speeds this can cause a very distracting noise. Having the air dam forward will allow the air to go over the light and not get forced into the cooling fins.

Baja Designs
www.bajadesigns.com

This was my thought as well, there's a huge gap where air is getting through and causing sound issues

 

[onepremiere]

Sorry to hear about the noise. I'd recommend spacing the air dam forward so its flush with the light bar and not the rack. Currently there is a lot of air being forced into the cooling fins on the light bar. At certain speeds this can cause a very distracting noise. Having the air dam forward will allow the air to go over the light and not get forced into the cooling fins.

Baja Designs
www.bajadesigns.com

That's what I was thinking as well, appreciate the input. I was considering moving the light bar onto the rack which would essentially make it flushing with the fairing. Just to be clear, I am not blaming the light bar for the noise. It's a problem with the way I have it mounted. It's a Jeff problem.

Yup it's definitely that big honkin light bar. Either move it to your grill or figure out a way for the fairing to incorporate the bar. Also it seems like your light will only illuminate things that are 6 feet or higher, is that useful?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well. As for the mounting position of the light bar, it is very useful for everything in the distance, I also do not have any glare off the hood. If you've had any experience with the BD OnX6 light bars, the focus of the beams is so well balanced I have no issue. Plus, I am like the Ricky Bobby behind the wheel, "I wanna go fast" so spotting anything in the distance is a plus. I drove some back country roads in the dead of night and the light bar turned night into day. The (2) 10" Onx6's behind my grill take care of everything in between.

i'd just sell the light bar and get a couple decent fog lights in the grill

You'd just sell the light bar? What happens when the zombie apocalypse comes? Then what? Run around with a flash light. NOPE. MOAR POWER. I already have lights behind the grille, which have the yellow lens for better vision at the mall when it gets foggy. At work, they call me Nitelite. :flame:

Stick a pool noodle or foam pipe insulation under the light bar. Drive it again and see if that eliminates the noise.

Good tip, trying this tonight.

This was my thought as well, there's a huge gap where air is getting through and causing sound issues

Like BajaDesigns said, the air is getting compressed between the roof and the light bar and the sound I am hearing is the air going across the cooling fins then up into the gap you mentioned. Makes perfect sense.

Appreciate all the input. I will report back results.

 

[kso818]

When I had my lightbar mounted like yours on my full length FR Rack it made a ton of noise. I ended up using the other mounts and mounting it underneath with one of FR's channel strips inbetween the light and the rack. I barely hear any noise from it.

 

[mrblah]

you will never get rid of the sound completely.

Its one of those things, that you will either get use to it, or you will give up and take off your light bar.

For me, I only hear it on some days when the wind hits it just right (i.e. driving into the wind)...but for the most part its not too bad and I mounted my bar as low as it will go on my roof.

 

[onepremiere]

Wow. It’s nearly gone. I used this piece of nylon to test/mock up and it works! Appreciate the help.

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[onepremiere]

Final design. Used 1/8 polycarbonate because it’s cheap durable and looks cool.

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