ARB Base Rack

Anyone actually buy one of the new-ish ARB Base Racks?

I've searched the forums and the internet and cannot find anything about the installation. Wondering if its similar to a Prinsu. If anyone had the instructions or something that they could take a picture of, that would be great. Last I checked their website didn't have anything.

Wanted to see what the install entailed before dropping $800.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/arb-flat-rack-cali-raised-pods.668530/#post-24007114

If a roof rack was ever in my mind(probably due to a hard impact to the head) it would be this one. Looks awesome!

cheers!

 

Believe it or not, that's not even the one I'm talking about. I originally was going to get that one, but it was impossible to find during COVID.

They came out with an even better looking one...

https://arbusa.com/roof-racks/arb-base-rack/

 

Ohhh yeah yeah! Not the same but along the lines. Those new base racks with the 3x1 extrusion cross bars for customization look awesome. Cheers!

 

I really want this rack however the one real life pic I found on here it looked like one of the mounts on the roof rested against the paint in the channels. I asked the guy who posted the pic but he never got back to me. If I can confirm that the mounts do not touch the paint at any point I’d absolutely pull the trigger on one

 

Almost looks like it clears the paint. Like they cut that notch around the corner so it doesn't rub.

 

Alright... as evident by my thread, no one has this. So I just went full send and bought it myself. I'll try and catalog the install and give a review when I install next Wednesday.

 

Can’t wait to see how it went. I was thinking about this rack and a system from rhino racks. I really like the ditch mounts from rhino tho.

 

Thank you!! Please don’t buy it and the completely disappear and never answer any questions like the other guy lol

 

I have a feeler gauge so I'll get you an exact measurement of how close the bracket is to the paint. Hoping there's some adjustability... we'll see.

 

did you get the XL or the smaller version? Did you add any of the rails? I thought the trade rail option looked pretty useful since it’s not a complete basket

 

Smaller version with no rails. The XL seemed to hang too much over the sides. I can always flip the awning brackets up so they don't interfere with door.

And no rails. I figure most stuff I would carry up there would just roll over the rails if given the chance or is pretty easy to securely mount. Like traction boards, bags, etc.

 

You won't be pulling the trigger. The mounts 100% touch the paint. There's no way to prevent it. The whole length of the bracket does rub, but it touches in like 3-4 places where the metal flares out a little.

I'm gonna spray with cosmoline, I'm not overly concerned.

 

Ah thanks for the update! Do you have any pics??

Would some PPF where it touches resolve the issue?

I had a buddy with a rack (similar design to Prinsu, can’t remember the brand) have mounts touch the paint in the rails and after a few months of vibration and wind it was worn down to the metal and starting to rust, so it’s a huge disappointment that this does the same

 

No pictures. Got dark too fast in PA.

I think PPF might help for a while but would wear away eventually. Hence my cosmoline idea. The trim is cut around the area that I'm concerned about too so it can be easily monitored.

I'm gonna roll with it. Rack needs finished tomorrow. The hardware and actual rack are stupidly beautiful. Getting the holes to line up on brackets and rack though is a bit tough. Gonna loosen everything a little more tomorrow and get it finished.

 

Here's the rubber trim job. The bracket touches ever so lightly at the front and a little at the rear of the bracket on both the front and rear brackets.



Lots of glare, but the thing is damn sexy from the sides.



Lots of ARB branding. Looks good from the front, and would look better with a lightbar.



A side profile of the rubber trim job. Rubber was reinstalled using marine silicone. The trimmed away sections were masked with tape and sprayed with CRC marine corrosion inhibiter.

 

So far no issues with the ARB roof rack.

The brackets definitely hit the paint. Not the whole length as I pointed out, and only the front and rear brackets. A pebble hitting your hood removes more paint. Sprayed with CRC and it worked perfectly.

Silicone in the holes and around the brackets has stopped the record November rains in PA so I'm happy about that too. The ARB dovetail mounting system is by far a highlight compared to t-slot. A bit costly though.

Overall I am extremely happy. Gonna mount a case up there to carry miscellaneous mountain bike stuff or beach gear.

 

Another update incase anyone wants this rack.

It held up perfectly over a mild PA winter. The brackets that touched the paint have caused no issues. There is no rust. I still spray CRC Corrosion Inhibitor down there just to be safe.

The powder coating and hardware is not showing any rust. Very very well built.