SWB roof racks... anyone got one?

[Brett G]

hey all,

any SWB guys got a roof rack... prices, brands, styles, noise they make??? i haven't seen to many shorties with them

Brett

[Grantw]

I had a set of rola roofracks on my old shorty (NH). Looked great and were on there for 3 years with no dramas. I got em for a present, to go with my snowskis. No idea of cost but i am sure google search will help.

[Brett G]

Cheers for that Grant, i was more thinking along the lines of the cage type that you could put a swag, trye and jerry can on. i have seen the Rolas on a few and they do look good

Brett

[RoldIT]

Hey,

This pic is my mates vehicle, goes by "Noisey" on this board.

He started out with a set of Rola Racks also (not sure how much $) but ended up making his own cage to slide into the Rola rails that are rivetted straight to the roof.

Not the best photo of the rack but gives an idea. The basket was based on the ARB style and makes a small amount of wind noise but ya can't really hear it over the tyres anyway.

Cheers.

[Brett G]

Riveting straight to the roof eh? not to sure i like the sound of that! wouldn't be too strong and would be sure to cause structural damage i am guessing

[RoldIT]

Nope. There is about 4 big rivets for each rail and that is the design supplied from Rola. As there are no gutters on that model I don't see any other way of doing it. As far as structural goes you're probably adding strength with the rails and they are fixed pretty damn tight. We did the job and used windscreen sealant to plug any gaps in the holes.

I'm not the sort of person to let "dodgy" work go unpunished but I helped with this job and thought it was more than satisfactory. Been there for prob a year now and still looks the goods.

[muttis3LV6]

This is my baby from last year when i did the gun barell, got the short ARB rack had to mount it further back to clear the sun roof. Worked well excpt the tubing was to light and cracked. Will be redoing it in the next couple of months so will post more then

[Brett G]

Gunbarrel in a shortie, nice work mate! Must have been one hell of a trip. I like the look of the ARB Rack but not the Ali tubing coming up from the side

[Noisey]

Brett,

I rang ARB when I first started looking around for a cage but they were unable to help. They could sell me the short cage by itself but I still needed to find a way to secure it to the vehicle.

I already had ROLA racks at the time so after checking the load ratings they recommend, I decided to remove the racks and fab' the cage and mount it into the rails the racks ran in. For what I carry upstairs (light stuff) the cage I made has worked a treat. It's the same dimensions and materials as an ARB and mounts into the "tracks" on the roof with 8 bolts (the racks were only mounted with 4)

All up it cost me two slabs of heavy and one of light to make so I can't complain.

Since then I have made a simple shovel holder that bolts onto the side. No wind noise can be heard from within the car and if I open the windows it's all tyres and exhaust anyway and definately no vibration.

I have seen factory racks (not cage) mounted into the recess in the roof so you may be able to chase that down further for a mounting point start. Mine must be alright though 'cause I have been stooped and asked about it by a few shorty drivers over the last 12 months.

Hope this helps somewhat.

[Brett G]

big cheers noisey and everyone else, this should give me some direction. BTW don't know if this was covered in the search for bigger SWB fuel tanks but this was sent back to me by Brown Davis in Melbourne

"we make 105lt long range replacement tanks to suit your swb NJ
rear departure angle and ground clearance remains unchanged
cost is $729.30
also we have 125lt replacement tanks, standard departure angle but 45mm less ground clearance, cost is $807.40
fitting is easy"

Not a bad price for the 105L

Brett

[muttis3LV6]

Hay Brett
Did they give you there contact details, the 125L is what i have been dreaming of for a while, ok that and the cast of Charmed (only the girls mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm)

[-Scott-]

Hmm, 125l replacement tank? The week before last I placed an order (through ARB) for a Brown-Davis replacement tank, made 50mm taller to make use of the space created by the body lift. They told me it would be 120l...

They said it would only be two weeks, so I should know by next week!

Scott

[Brett G]

have e-mailed Brown Davis for contact details, they are a bit slow getting back to me last time so you may have to wait untill next week.... either way i at last have 2 WHOLE DAYS off in a row so no net access... WOOOOHOOOO!!!

[Brett G]

here you go,

Brown Davis Automotive
47 Holloway drive
Bayswater, Vic, 3153
ph: 03 9762 8722