Installation tips for a single person install?

bkw · 02-23-2009, 02:30 PM

hey all-

Got my rack today and the directions state that the rack must be built then lifted onto the truck.

I know that there are folks here that have installed it themselves piece by piece onto their rig so.. How'd you do it? I'll be installing it myself after work and I highly doubt my wife would leave the two babies upstairs by themselves to come down to assist.

Thanks!!

DoWork · 02-23-2009, 02:31 PM

Have a neighbor?

**FloJo** · 02-23-2009, 02:40 PM

i'll take a stab, having never installed this or any roof rack on an FJ...hehe.

throw an old blanket over the roof. assemble the roof rack and then throw it on top of the roof, resting on the blanket. place pieces of 2x4 under the rack to give it some space. fold the blanket over on one side to expose the mounting bracket locations and install brackets on that side. fold blanket over on other side and do the same for those brackets. remove 2x4s from one side or both, whatever works for you to be able to mount the rack to the brackets. if the brackets are already mounted to the roof rack, then just peel back the blanket enough to install the bracket into the mounting points. once installed, remove blanket.

RoseCityCzar · 02-23-2009, 02:51 PM

Can you assemble it off the vehicle if so just wrap the feet in rags or towels and slide it right into place. It isn't heavy at all. If it need slight adjustments you can do them when it's up on the roof. I would recommend some silicone sealant around the outside of the clear tubes that the bolts go through. If you look closely you can see the possible avenue for water to get in. Might not be necessary but nice insurance.

Layonnn · 02-23-2009, 04:00 PM

assemble it on the ground, mount the brackets, but not tight all the way, put a bunch of towels up on the roof. throw it up there and bolt it to the roof. The thing only weighs like 40 something lbs. I think it may be lighter than that coleman rack you had up there, haha.

**iCruiser** · 02-23-2009, 04:50 PM

I installed a GOBI stealth by myself by:

1. using the cardboard from the packaging, I taped it to the roof
2. I attached the mounting brackets to one side of the car
3. using more cardboard over the spare tire, I lifted the rack from the back and slid it forward.
4. placed one side up on the mountings
5. installed the mounts on the other side
6. adjusted rack into position

Same thing happened to me, wife didn't want to leave the kids to help, It was 1am and I had to install it!

Good Luck

T

tibaal89 · 02-23-2009, 05:32 PM

x2 what everybody says with the towels... Wrap the feet of the mounts with something soft - lift if over the back, using the spare tire for support if necessary. I've installed roof tents alone many times using this method (though I didn't bother with the towels because I don't give a damn

).

**FloJo** · 02-23-2009, 06:31 PM

i like the covering of the feet idea...much easier than my original idea.

rotorhed1 · 02-23-2009, 06:51 PM

I think it would be a big help to have a supply of beer on hand.

bkw · 02-23-2009, 08:02 PM

Just got home and was greeted by one HUGE box.. and that was it

I received 1 of 2, but not 2 of 2. Damn you dude in brown, where the F is my other box??

Hey Cris or Sergio - what's inside box 2 of 2 (the 15lb one)? The feet?

It's 30F outside with a windchill of 0F. Theres no way I'm installing this thing tonight, so I dragged the big box into the garage and grabbed a beer. Will open tomorrow.

Thanks all for the tips! I'll try a combination of wrapping the feet + using the cardboard box it came in. If I feel up to it, I'll take pics and post a 'one person DIY'.