FJ Cruiser - roof rack noise

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Nicolas
Rank: Junior
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:41 pm

FJ Cruiser - roof rack noise

Thu May 22, 2014 2:29 pm

Hi UAE Offroaders !

I just bought a roof rack for my FJ Cruiser (because it look nice...lol), but I have a problem with it.
When I'm driving over 70km / h there is some vibration and noise and then, over 100km/h there is only a loud and grave sound.
This is the roof rack I have: FJ Cruiser roof rack

Do you have any idea ?
Of course this is the wind doing this, but how can I solve the problem ?

Thank you very much !!

Nicolas
Nicolas
Rank: Junior
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:41 pm

Thu May 22, 2014 2:55 pm

After more research with our friend GOOGLE, it seems that we can install some air dam....so other question, where can I find this and how much does it cost approximately ?

thanks
Nicolas
Rank: Junior
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:41 pm

Fri May 23, 2014 11:13 am

Any help please ? Thanks in advance
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Nicolas
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ScaVenger
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Name: Saleh Al R
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Fri May 23, 2014 11:30 am

Nicolas wrote:After more research with our friend GOOGLE, it seems that we can install some air dam....so other question, where can I find this and how much does it cost approximately ?

thanks
Yes Nicholas the solution can be installing air dam on the front. we need to know the exact brand of the roof rack as to know which air dam is for the right roof rack. Usually though they are sold as part of the roof rack. if not it might be found online.

just include the name / brand of roof rack with pic if possible here as so we can help you with this. Also in the mean time, you could ask at RAMY 4X4 - http://www.ramy4x4.com/ - they have a branch in AD and dubai.
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Nicolas
Rank: Junior
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:41 pm

Fri May 23, 2014 12:53 pm

Hi, thanks for the answer.
The one I have is a second and, I don't know the brand but I'll try to find it.

It is the same than this one: http://www.sickwithit.com/eBay_photos/60229.jpg
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Nicolas
Nicolas
Rank: Junior
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:41 pm

Fri May 23, 2014 12:59 pm

I can't find the brand. As per some picture on internet it looks like OEM one.

I'll try to check with ramy 4x4 in Mussafah or this shop selling toyota parts.

Any other help will me welcome. Thank UAE offroaders.
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Nicolas
Mosalf
Rank: Offroader
Name: Altaf Kadri
Location: Mirdiff
Posts: 307
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:02 pm

Sun May 25, 2014 12:27 pm

Hi Nick, I have the same roof rack bought off a US import when the guy was selling his FJ. I don't have a air dam.

Is yours a original Toyota make? Please have it reinstalled with proper neoprene gaskets.

Friend on mine got a air dam installed and isn't too happy as he can get proper roof led light installed thereafter.

Moreover the air dam also creates noise above 80kmph.

Looks like a job of improper installation. If you want to have a look at mine you are more than welcome. ;)


Mosalf 0566161157
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Mosalf
Nicolas
Rank: Junior
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:41 pm

Mon May 26, 2014 10:32 am

Thanks Mosalf for the information.
My roof rack is a second hand and I don't know if it's an original Toyota make. I can't see any specific brand on it.

I'll try to go to Mussafah and check there with some shops. For the moment I put it in place myself with a friend, so yeah, we probably done something wrong.

Here a better picture of mine:
The attachment 10362841_10154227841225473_8116090342465431194_n.jpg is no longer available
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10362841_10154227841225473_8116090342465431194_n.jpg
PR
Rank: Expert
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:22 pm

Mon May 26, 2014 12:00 pm

Hi Nicolas,

I have a solution for you, but I'm a bit of an old badger, and cheapskate, too, so it's not going to be anything OME - not even close! LOOOOOL but it'll work ;)

The reason for the noise is the wind catching the roofrack bars, so all you have to do is deflect the wind.

Simply get some sheetmetal from any metal works shop in Sanaiya, not too thin or wobbly, and cut it to roughly the size you need to fit it from the top of the first rack bar to the roof at a good angle to deflect the wind, and long enough to go from one side to the other, with a bracket supporting it from the first vertical rack bar.

You can first install temporarily, even with duct tape, just to find the perfect angle to stop the noise. Just find an empty road where you can cruise up to speed without worrying about your sheetmetal flying off into somebody's windscreen.

Once you have found the perfect angle, then you will need to cut it to perfect size, paint it and mount it securely with bolts (welding is possible but I'd avoid that as you want it removable. If you do choose to weld, then I'd suggest you weld the bracket to the rack, but then bolt the sheetmetal onto the bracket, so the bracket would be permanent, but you can still unbolt and remove the sheetmetal part).

If you are worried about the bottom edge of the sheetmetal scratching your roof (which it won't if you use a bracket to the first vertical bar as I explained) then an easy fix is to buy the rubber that goes onto the doors - they are sold in Carrefour for like 10 dhs and people slide them onto their doors so when they bang them into other parked cars they leave no scratches. They slide onto sheetmetal edges.

Good luck! 8) The whole thing should cost you around 100.

EDIT: like this:

Image
Nicolas
Rank: Junior
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:41 pm

Wed May 28, 2014 10:21 pm

Thank you very much ! Once I get time I'll look at this. I'll try to go to Mussafah on friday.
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Nicolas

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