Rola roof rack - light cage mod

[Zach Maples]

So tomorrow my buddy who does custom fab work, is picking up my Rola and keeping it for a few days. I probably won't see it again until Saturday, but when I get it back it'll have 4 tabs up front to mount my Hella's to, a cage around those lights, and two tabs for rear lights. I won't lie, I'm kinda being a copy-cat here. I got the idea after doing some snooping over on a 4runner forum.

Here is a link to the job we're basing mine off of: http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22537

 

[06 H3]

Can't wait to see the finished product.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[Gunner_45]

That thing actually has some good lines to it...............Should turn out very nice.

 

[Pappibri]

I have been thinking about adding some lights to my Rola also.. That one turned out real well, cant wait to see the final outcome on yours also...:corn:

 

[alrock]

That's a good looking modification you have planned.

 

[Hunner]

I first was going to say what in the H was he carrying up there to break the rack! Now I see he has NO cross support for the poor ole Rola. It was designed to fit on cross bars for support. The smaller size cross pieces of the basket are not really support for the entire load.

Good idea on the light bar. I had a couple of lights on the back, but have the OEM lights in front. Raised up should give you good forward clearance and help with off the hood glare.

Even though I have not had a problem I did add a third cross bar, you know for when I carry heavier stuff than this.

 

[Zach Maples]

Yeah I'm excited to see the outcome. I should have some pictures up on here by tomorrow evening or saturday morning. It'll look kinda rough though, until I paint it up. As for painting it, I'm probably just gonna use the dupli-color rattle can bed-liner. I've used it on several things already, and it seems to be almost a perfect match to the Rola's surface.

Hunner, do you happen to have a fourth crossbar you'd want to sell? I have been wanting another, but can't find just a single one anywhere. And I'd rather not have to buy another set of two. Also, it looks like you have your rack pushed back further than I do? Do you like it further back like that? I kinda want to slide mine back since it's covering some of the sunroof, but that'll be pointless after the added length of the light cage. I won't be able to push it back enough to completely uncover the sunroof without it hanging over the back of the truck a little.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

:corn:

 

[Hunner]

No I'm stingy and scored a second set so I want to keep the extra cause there is lots of plastic to go bad. Not sure how long they will keep making these.
I have mine back so I can reach things from the rear and uncover the sunroof.
You can experiment with your lights and see but moving it back will cut out some of the glare off the hood but also probably kill some up close coverage. There has to be a sweet spot somewhere.
In my case the headlights and fogs do fine up close and I like my roof lights to reach out in front a bit more but I also run the Go light spots and shine them off to the side to keep out of the ditches.
You should have great coverage and the option to adjust front to back.
Post up some results it will be neat to see.
I had these on the rear for awhile but moved them to the over the spare rack. The great thing about the Rola is I can remove it myself and replace it with my Excargo luggage pod.

A long over due project is to paint the hood black. Maybe Plasti-dip?
I enjoy night runs in the National Forest on rarely run trails, where the pavement ends and the fun begins.

 

[Zach Maples]

Yeah I feel ya on holding on to the crossbars. I wish my 3 had come with some OEM, but it didn't haha. Back in December when I was out of school for Christmas break I was actually able to work 40 hrs and save up some cash. That's when I did nearly all of my mods so far, since I had time/money. Anyways, back in December I bought my crossbars. They're the "OEM" knock-offs from ebay, and ran me about $120 IIRC. I've never actually looked closely at an OEM pair, so I'm not sure just how different they are, if they are at all. They've held up to everything that I've thrown at them, so they're fine with me.
I think I'll try to keep the rack as far to the rear as possible, because I don't want any hood glare. I know I'd be angry getting out on the trail at night and having bad glare. Then having to go back through the process of lining the rack back up and centering it. Lazy I know. I'm plenty satisfied with the amount of light I get from my heads and fogs too, so it should work out.
At the same time, once I pick up a brushguard, I'd like to be able to fix up some limb risers for the 3. In that case, the rack would have to sit far enough forward for the cables to run from the rack to the guard. But I'll deal with that when the time comes.
As far as plasti-dip'ing the hood goes, a friend of mine from school did it to the hood on his FJ I believe. He said it started to flake and peel around the edges I think. Not too sure though.

 

[Zach Maples]

Wow guys, so I've definitely been out of the H4O world for a while. The hustle and bustle of life at UA leaves hardly any room for leisure time, and what little bit I get is usually spent sleeping.

Anyways, If anyone out their was interested in seeing the light cage on my H3.... you're out of luck. The guy I had making it didn't have easy access to a tube bender that could adjust to fit the size pipe I wanted. So after a couple of weeks of fooling with him/materials/tools I just gave up on the idea, and me and my dad just welded four light tabs across the rack. I've been running four basic Hella 500's on it and haven't really enjoyed the look of it. The Hella's were just almost awkward looking on top. Bringing me to my next point.

Recently(last night) me and a friend both ordered some new toys. We both scored a 30" LED light bar for a SWEET price. It should be in by Friday or Monday. I plan on putting it on the front of the Rola in place of the 4 Hella's. It should look way better, as the LED bar won't stick up any higher than the roof rack itself. So as soon as it gets here and I get it mounted up, I'll post up some pictures for you guys.

 

[alrock]

Thanks for the update! And as for being "busy" at UA, that's what smartphones are for: browsing H4O when you're in class. (Ask Hans3T for pointers)

 

[JGBB04]

I got a 20" Rigid bar & can say you won't be disappointed. & :yeahthat every other frat boy on here can post from class so no excuses

 

[Pappibri]

Indeed.. I am back in school full time in my 40's have 2 kids in the home and have to work on the side.. and here I am...:huh:Cant wait to see the bar, and I agree I dont like the look of the bigger lights on the Rola, when they start sticking up higher than the rack I dont like the look of it.. Will be awaiting the pics

 

[Zach Maples]

Well every other "frat boy" is on daddy's money. They have nothing else to do but get drunk and skip class...and lurk H4O haha. I'm getting back in the swing of the forum though. Working 35hrs a week, taking 18hrs at UA, and having to log at least 40 hrs of community service as a requirement for one of my scholarships doesn't really leave much time to get on here. Luckily, I'm ahead on my volunteer hours and school work, so all I'm really doing until finals is working. Y'all will be seing a lot more of me on here now.

 

[06 H3]

Glad to hear....I've been busy also but you have me beat. I'm working about 25-35 hrs a week with 15 units of school but I still find my H40 time