Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

[Guest Close max_rocktansky]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

It must be the Scottsman in me, but I find these, and all other similar racks of this type ( TJM, ARB, Rhino, etc ... ) so overpriced for what they are. Maybe it's just me?
Bazza.

After fitting my new rack and chasing up some extras for it, I am very happy with mine and yes, it is cheaper than the double the weight and three times the drag steel ARB rack that it replaced. My truck was using about 4 liters per hundred more with the ARB Rack, compared to about 1 liter per hundred more with the windcheeta.

Regards,

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Has any one just used the rack with the grab feet on the factory rails?

I know it's not a Prado but same rails....

I looked at this a while ago but only the same picture you have. Since there is no one here in Tassie who even has a normal Windcheetah :cry: I never went any further with it. It would be good if someone could see one in person and give some feedback on it.

[Guest Close max_rocktansky]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

I was not keen on spending $17 per eyenut for the new roofrack from opposite lock. I chased up 8 grade eight bolts, eight rubber washers and eight stainless steel eyenuts (from stainless steel direct per LFAR assistance) and had a go at sorting it out myself. All up, each tiedown point cost about $6 each and abit of time to modify.

Here's what I bought :




I shortened the bolts alittle and used temporary nylon washers for now (sourcing some better rubber backed flat washers):




Fitted them into the tracks and all good :

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Brought one with the grab feet whata PITA grab feet are a poor design very hard to attach. :?

But the rack itself is great will post some pic when I get a chance.... :wink:

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Looking forward to seeing some pics and what you think about the rack that attaches to the factory rails.

Just waiting on you now Chuck :lol:

[iantz Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close iantz]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

It must be the Scottsman in me, but I find these, and all other similar racks of this type ( TJM, ARB, Rhino, etc ... ) so overpriced for what they are. Maybe it's just me?
Bazza.

Agree Bazza - and for the money you are paying, why on earth is it left to the buyer to do the 'bending' of the deflector etc? People seem to be chasing up the manufacturer all the time with installation questions etc. There is a couple hundred worth of material here and that is all.

I couldn't bring myself to part with the money. I made my own platform for $110. Fairly happy with it so far.

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

There is a couple hundred worth of material here and that is all.

Whilst I agree that the rack is somewhat expensive for what it is, a couple of hundred wouldn't pay the labour to cut, assemble, weld and powdercoat the rack made from those materials. Let's not forget the design and the custom extrusions or the fabrication of the mounts and channels, or the packaging and freight, all of which are pretty well done compared to some other efforts around.

In other words, happy for people to say they don't want to spend that amount of cash on a rack, or that they have the skills to do better, but please don't belittle the efforts of others who have had the drive to design, produce and market an item to a good standard.

Michael

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

I have just bought one and fitted up twin awnings to it. The fabrication and finish is spot on, the availability of the many different attachments us brilliant. I am very happy and know I can take this rack to my next 4x4.

Happy owner, my 2 cents..

[iantz Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close iantz]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Michael - I have not belittled anyones efforts and do not mean to. I certainly didn't belittle any PP members, only the manufacturer. The most shocking part for me is that people have to make modifications to the wind deflector for a suitable fit whilst paying that much money. It is like Rhino rack sending an alloy platform and saying, just cut parts A and B to size X, then assemble. It isn't good enough IMO. I do think they look good, don't get me wrong...

[bevwone Member Find all posts View Profile Close bevwone]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

The most shocking part for me is that people have to make modifications to the wind deflector for a suitable fit whilst paying that much money.

I did not have to make any alterations to mine.

Bevan

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

Michael - I have not belittled anyones efforts and do not mean to. I certainly didn't belittle any PP members, only the manufacturer.

I think that was my point. The Manufacturer has done a good job designing and building the rack to a high standard. Few of us could build to the same standard, so let's not knock them because we don't like the price. If it was something you or I could knock up in the shed on a saturday arvo out of $200 worth of alloy angle, then I'd say such criticism would be fine.

As far as the wind deflector is concerned, I believe that the problem on the earlier units was that the low profile feet were shipped with the wind deflector that matched the high profile feet. Local distributor didn't catch it or work it out for a while, but it sounds like that problem is cured now anyway.

Michael

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Re: Front Runner WindCheetah Roofrack

The most shocking part for me is that people have to make modifications to the wind deflector for a suitable fit whilst paying that much money.

I did not have to make any alterations to mine.

Bevan

Mine either... Just bolted on fine.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

The rack stays at home . After being told the WindCheetah rack uses the same mounting on both the 120 and the 150, i left it until too late to learn the holes on the track do not line up with the 150's mounting points. Illneed to either carefully drill some extra tapered holes or buy new mounting hardware.

For this trip, the MaxTrax stay at home.

LFaR.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Famous last words...

[Wil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wil]

Does anyone have pics of one of these racks with a roof top tent and a spare mounted? If so please post it up, with info on the rack size and tent size please?

I am keen to make a purchase but want to know that i can fit both up there.

Cheers,