It is currently Sun Feb 08, 2026 2:31 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 38 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: New Gecko Rack!!!!!! NEW PICS added
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:25 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:04 pm
Posts: 1557
Location: Louisville, KY
As all have been reading, Marty is in catch-Up Mode. I was very honored in receiving my new Gecko Roof Basket.

To start with I was so excited to get it that I rushed a POR-15 and Hardnosed paint job. As god as my witness, nowhere on their instructions does it say that it can take UPTO 2 weeks for the hardnose to fully cure.

Anyway. I found a local guy to sandblast the rack and get it looking great then another place to powder coat gloss black.

Drilled holes for the electric stuff. Pics are coming. Spent about an hour feeding wires and CB coax. waiting on a shipment of wire loom, grommets, and warmer weather. gonna pull the KJ in the garage and drill a huge freaking hole in the roof to pass the wires through.

Those who haven't seen the other posts... Got the Gecko with 4 light tabs and a CB antanne tab. planned to, and have so far succeeded, in running all wiring INSIDE the rack so that it passes trough the roof between the mounting bolts in the front driverside mounting foot. Already have the interior wiring done so just need to drill a huge freaking hole (1/2") and place the rack, and make final connections.

Marty is a dream to work with. the Gecko I ordered first started as a "Bolt together" rack. But in discussing things with him I changed it to an all welded version with Marty drilling a hole inside the main bars to allow for wiring to be passed through. I know he and Troy are waiting to see how this turns out, So am I. It is an idea that could be cool and make for a real clean look.

Aside from the possible leaking issue, I have disccused with several electronics gurus about prpoer wire guages, ground placements and the possible of interference on the coax with the neighboring wires for the lights. All agree that there is a potential for this, but I am using the best coax cable availabe with the most shielding. Also if the lights aren't on then no interference.

One note is that the antenna SHOULD be in the best possible position for the maximum signal and SWR ratio.

I have been in contact with Marty about this rack and he is very interested in any input I can give him since this is only the second one he has built (I think) I suggested an option, for those of you who have satelite antennas installed by the factory, that allowances be made in the rear crossmebere. I was concerned about clearance issues and if the cross memeber would hit the antenna. It does not with a good 1/2 to 3/4 inch to spare. It DOES partially block the antenna causing rare signal problems. Not an issue for me as I do not plan to keep it after the first free year.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

_________________
'07 Ltd 3.7L, Black, OME HD's, OME shocks, Mopar Skids, AEV Bridgers w/ TPMS, Kumho KL78's, ARB Bumper, KC 130 Watters, Warn M8000 Winch, Rock Lizard Gecko Roof Basket KC 150 watters, Cobra 75WSX, 3 ft FireFly, RL Super Step Skinks


Last edited by WoodysKJ on Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:32 am, edited 2 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:37 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:37 pm
Posts: 7928
Location: Big Bear & Lancaster, Ca.
Quote:
Sorry for the long post and no pics.


Yeah you are...... Looking forward to pics for sure!! :wink:

_________________
99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:43 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:26 pm
Posts: 2133
Location: Sin City USA
this was gonna be my next purchase from RL. I just wish Marty wasn't stopping orders till the end of the month so I could get an order in with my bonus check from work :(
Guess ill have to wait till summer..... Very interested to see how your turns out.

_________________
2016 JKU RUBICON

other mods coming soon...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:59 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:54 am
Posts: 5827
Location: 7,000 feet, Zuni Mountains, New Mexico
AWESOME, let's see pics and lots of detail write-ups! This is also on my list of NEEDS!

_________________
2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:25 am 
Offline
LOST Addict

Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:36 pm
Posts: 3143
Location: OKLAHOMA
pics pics pics! jk can't wait to see it!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:00 am 
Offline
LOST Addict

Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:27 am
Posts: 2247
Location: Woodward Ave
Man this is really going to be interesting to watch develop. The Gecko is possibly the coolest thing I have seen and to watch the development unfold will be even cooler. Great work Woodys!

_________________
02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:57 pm 
Offline
LOST Addict
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am
Posts: 1667
Image

_________________
NYC L.O.S.T.# 022174 -
Check out my Image CarDomain


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:25 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:04 pm
Posts: 1557
Location: Louisville, KY
Added pics above. Sorry bout the rack being upside down. as I am still working on it. Starting to shap up.

_________________
'07 Ltd 3.7L, Black, OME HD's, OME shocks, Mopar Skids, AEV Bridgers w/ TPMS, Kumho KL78's, ARB Bumper, KC 130 Watters, Warn M8000 Winch, Rock Lizard Gecko Roof Basket KC 150 watters, Cobra 75WSX, 3 ft FireFly, RL Super Step Skinks


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:35 pm 
Offline
Master of the Blender
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:21 pm
Posts: 2804
Location: Margaritaville
WoodysKJ wrote:
Added pics above. Sorry bout the rack being upside down. as I am still working on it. Starting to shap up.

Took me a minute to realize that, I was thinking the lights were going to bang on your roof all the time :oops: :P I'll wait and see what it looks like mounted and working :D


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:35 pm 
Offline
LOST Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:44 pm
Posts: 176
Location: Lock Haven, PA
Come on man, we need to see pics of this thing mounted on your Jeep :D

_________________
The Jeep Family:
2003 KJ Renegade - wife's daily driver
2001 WJ Limited - sister's daily driver
1997 XJ Sport - my daily driver
1995 YJ - the trail rig
1979 CJ5 - dad's toy
1966 M416 - the jeep trailer
1948 CJ2A Willys - my new project


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:37 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:38 pm
Posts: 12988
Location: Colorado Springs
HMMMM those saw horses look very familiar,Harbor Frieght?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:00 pm 
Offline
LOST Addict
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am
Posts: 1667
That looks great.

Quote:
gonna pull the KJ in the garage and drill a huge freaking hole in the roof to pass the wires through.

Scary Stuff.. :x Good Luck.

_________________
NYC L.O.S.T.# 022174 -
Check out my Image CarDomain


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:40 pm 
Offline
LOST Addict

Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:36 pm
Posts: 3143
Location: OKLAHOMA
how much did the sandblasting cost you? and the powder coat?

I thought that RL stuff comes sandblasted? i might be wrong (usually I am)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:50 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:04 pm
Posts: 1557
Location: Louisville, KY
tjkj2002 wrote:
HMMMM those saw horses look very familiar,Harbor Frieght?


Correct. I cant fool you.

riptricket wrote:
how much did the sandblasting cost you? and the powder coat?

I thought that RL stuff comes sandblasted? i might be wrong (usually I am)


I got VERY lucky on the sandblasting/powdercoating.

I think Marty does do something but if it is sent Unpainted like mine, then any sandblasting he would do would be a waste of time as it would start to rust IMEDIATELY.

The sandblasting took a few phone calls. Most wanted 250.00 MIN to clean it. I found a guy down near Ft. Knox who has all his own equipment and i pulled into his shop and he asked when I needed it and I said Yesterday, just joking, and he said have a smoke if you want be right back, took it and did it RIGHT THEN. 30 minutes later I am paying him 60.00 and driving off.

Took it to a company that is linked off the Bluegrasslost.com site, Epic Concepts, and they took it right in since it had just been sandblasted and they didn't have to do it and it was raining. The took it in and included it in another company's stuff and charged me 70.00. picked it up that evening. (That is when I added it to our site, not before)

_________________
'07 Ltd 3.7L, Black, OME HD's, OME shocks, Mopar Skids, AEV Bridgers w/ TPMS, Kumho KL78's, ARB Bumper, KC 130 Watters, Warn M8000 Winch, Rock Lizard Gecko Roof Basket KC 150 watters, Cobra 75WSX, 3 ft FireFly, RL Super Step Skinks


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:43 pm 
Offline
I live here
I live here
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 6:59 pm
Posts: 5839
Location: Aurora, CO
Did you drill your holes before or after powdercoating? You have the order as drilling after. Just curious on that.

_________________
===
New KJ Gear - Desert Armor Flak

2004 Renegade Light Khaki - 4" JBA Lift - Rock Lizard Products: Komodo Dragon Rear Bumper, Prototype Winch-mount Front Bumper, Super Skink Sliders - All J's Super Tranny Skid II - 31" Firestone Destination AT's on Moab wheels - Cobra 75W CB w/ stock Antenna mod

[b]Retired, US Military


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:54 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:04 pm
Posts: 1557
Location: Louisville, KY
Tokyojoe wrote:
Did you drill your holes before or after powdercoating? You have the order as drilling after. Just curious on that.


actually drilled after the first paint screw-up but before the powder coating.

_________________
'07 Ltd 3.7L, Black, OME HD's, OME shocks, Mopar Skids, AEV Bridgers w/ TPMS, Kumho KL78's, ARB Bumper, KC 130 Watters, Warn M8000 Winch, Rock Lizard Gecko Roof Basket KC 150 watters, Cobra 75WSX, 3 ft FireFly, RL Super Step Skinks


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:15 am 
Offline
LOST Junkie
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 11, 2007 3:52 am
Posts: 748
Location: Kingsport,TN
wiring looks really good.

_________________
cactus green 03 sport 3.7
Rusty's coil lift w/ Rancho RSX shocks & 3 ring clevis
custom skids and rock rails ; Surco roof rack w/ hi lift mounted
pioneer cd/aux with Zune mounted on dash; uniden cb with 4' K40 antenna
xeon lights; grill inserts; black wheels; 245/75/16s MTRs
#1281 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2967585/1


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:09 pm 
Offline
LOST Addict

Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:36 pm
Posts: 3143
Location: OKLAHOMA
update on the rack?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:41 pm 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:54 am
Posts: 5827
Location: 7,000 feet, Zuni Mountains, New Mexico
bump

_________________
2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: UPDATE AND NEW PICS!!
PostPosted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:04 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:04 pm
Posts: 1557
Location: Louisville, KY
WELL, I finally did it.

Took me a few months of planning, drinking and waiting for a decent day to get the Gecko on the KJ.

Image

I was constantly waiting for either the weather to cooperate or some one to help out with lifting this beast. I FINALLY got the idea of making a "Canoe Lift" type of pully system to get the thing up in the air and drive under it. You can see part of that in this pic. Also here is where you can see (sorry for the clutter) is where I loosely mounted the right side to help more accurately locate the BF hole in my roof for the wires.

Image

Once I got it half way mounted I went about measuring (About a dozen times) the hole location.

Image

The first was a little pilot hole. After dropping the headliner only enough to get a hand and a shop vac in there, and to verify there were no wires anywhere around, I drilled a small 5/16 hole after using a center punch to give it a place to start.

That was the most painful part. So much for the "Body" part of my warantee.

Next came the process of making it bigger. Once I confirmed that nothing else was inside the roof, I used a step drill(Best invention since cordless drills in my book) and enlarged it to 1/2 inch (Yes, the BF Hole i was talking about)

Image

Once I had that i needed to make sure the two holes lined up as well as i had hoped. I needed to enlarge the roof hole just a smidge to the front. Got lucky here cuz there is a spot weld RIGHT there and I didn't want to remove it any more than I had to. As it was I only encroached on it maybe 1 mm.

Once I got all the holes lined up I cleaned everything (roof and rack mounting foot) with an adheasive prep from 3M and primed and painted the bare metal. Then I dumped a 55 gallon drum of silicone around the hole. GOD i hope that is enough.

Image

Once I lowered the rack that was the last time I could access the hole so it had to be right. I lowered the rack and tightened up and re-sealed all the bolt threads and presto the beast was on.

Next was connection the wiring I did inside the KJ (about 4 months prior). Wires came down the B pillar along the driver's side door sill and into the engine compartment to the waiting relays, one for each pair (inside lights outside lights).

Image

Used Bullet connectors here and they worked ok, I think I am going to go back and solder the joints and heat shrink em later. Anyway the lights worked great, have an issue with the switches. Seam to be malfunctioing a bit. They have a little light on them that tells me they lights are on (Like I could not tell that 600 wats of lights are on) but they do activate the lights, just gonna get new switches and see if it is a wireing issue or the switches.

All I need to do is aim the retina burners and put a SWR meter on the 2 foot K40 whip I have up there and see what kind of signal I get. Might need to add a spring to the folding mount, Later. More pics coming soon,

MARTY Thanks dude, hell of a rack! Your Pics coming soon too, I promise.

Image

_________________
'07 Ltd 3.7L, Black, OME HD's, OME shocks, Mopar Skids, AEV Bridgers w/ TPMS, Kumho KL78's, ARB Bumper, KC 130 Watters, Warn M8000 Winch, Rock Lizard Gecko Roof Basket KC 150 watters, Cobra 75WSX, 3 ft FireFly, RL Super Step Skinks


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 38 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group. Color scheme by ColorizeIt!
Logo by pixeldecals.com