Roof Rack - How does it attach

[Tazdevil Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close Tazdevil]

Hi Guys

Can anyone supply some photos of how the ARB Roof Rack attaches to the 120 series.

I would like to see if I can make up my own fitting kit, so the more detail the better.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

The ARB rack attaches with a dedicated ARB fitting kit. The fitting kit comprises two long C ish sections which run lengthways and bolt onto the roof using the existing capitve nuts in the roof. Realistically the C parts are only where the roof rack bolts on and the sections bolt to the roof. The kit includes all the necessary hardware including sealing rubbers. Once the fitting kit is installed the roof rack is attached with some separate plates and bolts. If you search this site there are a number of threads that discuss the ARB rack and fitting kit.

I have an old Jarram rack that has been with me for more years than I care to remember and I was looking for a way to fit that to the 120. The Jarram rack is about 1500 long so a good size for us. I played around with various options until I started asking TJM, ARB and Jarram if I could buy their fitting kit. TJM outright refused (both a couple of the local stores and also head office, essentially they told me to get the fitting kit buy a roof rack), Jarram were happy to sell me their kit but postage from never land was too expensive. ARB had no problem selling me the fitting kit (about $150 from memory) and they were also happy to take it back if I couldn't use it. In the end I have modified the kit by cutting the front and rear at a different angle.

Because our rack is only fitted a couple of times a year (and less now I have an old ute with ladder racks) I made up some aluminium spacers which are bolted to the roof and the fitting kit/roof rack bolt to them. This is to minimise damage to the captive nuts and also prevent leaks from damaged seals as a result of multiple installs and removals. Unlike the ARB rack I can get to the corners of the fitting kit with rack installed. I actually screw stainless studs into the roof blocks and lower the rack onto those and then tighten up dome nuts over the fitting kit. So the rack is mounted to the fitting kit all the time. Bit hard to explain but refer a couple of pics below.

Like I said search the site and you will find some information. Not sure if anyone will help you reverse engineer the fitting kit and in my view it wasn't worth it. I had a couple of goes but the roof is not flat and the support points slope front and rear and side to side.

Fitting kit is just visible under the rack, running in the same axis as the awning



Block is shown here, screwed to roof with stainless countersunk allen head screws (M8?)



Rack/fitting kit bolted to roof blocks/roof



typical block I made up, countersunk holes to mount the block to the roof and M8 tapped holes. Block is 12 thick and 25 wide and as you can see the holes in the roof aren't in the centre of the recess



I have the resources to make up some form of fitting kit but in the end it just wasn't worth it. Good luck.

Michael

[Tazdevil Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close Tazdevil]

Thanks Michael

Thats exactly what I was after.

My aim is to set it up so I can remove it when we dont need it (Thats why I was going to try and make my own).
My local ARB shop is asking $180 for the fitting kit, so if I can pinch your idea it looks like it will work brilliantly.

Thanks very much