Roof rack question

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:17 am

so u just got a Surco roof rack and i was wondering how bad it would hurt my MPG? I've seen a lot of guys on here that have the same rack and was wondering what their loss in MPG was? i was also wondering if i could get a wind screen for it and if so where could i find one. thanks for ur help and time.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:36 am

dloc_jeep_KJ wrote:

so u just got a Surco roof rack and i was wondering how bad it would hurt my MPG? I've seen a lot of guys on here that have the same rack and was wondering what their loss in MPG was? i was also wondering if i could get a wind screen for it and if so where could i find one. thanks for ur help and time.

IIRC when we had ours on all the time it was >1 mpg loss
witch when compared to the 2+ MPG loss from the 245/75 tires is nothing
now when we had it loaded with an ice chest and a plastic bin it got the same as it does with the 245/75's
I am scared to see what is going to happen when I take it as my DD and put the rack back on and start
going back to camping and such

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:42 am

I run with a rack on all the time and never really notice it or difference in the mileage, I do have a "wind screen" deflector on the front of it though.

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:48 am

tommudd wrote:

I run with a rack on all the time and never really notice it or difference in the mileage, I do have a "wind screen" deflector on the front of it though.

where did u get the windscreen/ fairing? or did it come with ur rack? i cant find one that says it will work with a surco rack. is there even one that would work? i havent drove with it on yet so i dont know if i will get any wind noise but it looks like i will.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:52 am

As a last resort you could make one. Go to a hardware store or builders supply and get a piece of Plexiglas and cut to fit. Mount it with screws and washers. Probably cheaper also.

Terry

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:26 am

true i was thinking about that. i havent worked with plexiglas befor how hard is it to cut what should i use to cut it?

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:50 am

I used a Dremel with what looks like a circular saw blade. A regular cutting blade on a Dremel will just melt the stuff and it will fuse back together. I did this on another project. A fine toothed hand saw of some type might work also. Ask where you get it for cutting suggestions.

Terry

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Just run it through the table saw. Use a good carbide tipped blade. Also USE EYE PROTECTION for sure. I always use deci-damps or other hearing protection for ripping plexi, it's a screamer. If you want to clear the edges you can do that with heat: carefully apply a flame from a torch. A light touch is needed for that, as the plexi goes from rough edged to clear fairly slowly, and then to burnt very quickly.

KJKev · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:55 am

I've got a Surco on my Liberty, no wind deflector, and I had less than 1mpg loss.
KJKev

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:38 am

Fulltimer wrote:

As a last resort you could make one. Go to a hardware store or builders supply and get a piece of Plexiglas and cut to fit. Mount it with screws and washers. Probably cheaper also.

Terry

My brother did this for his Yakima racks, Got some smoke plastikote paint and coated the back and even put a yakima sticker on it. It actually looks nicer than the ones you get from them since it's custom sized. If you are mounting to round tubes, check the electrical department at hour home center for conduit clamps. They make a nice clean attachment.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:59 pm

I used part of a spoiler from a race truck 1/8 inch or so aluminum.

Tom

riptricket · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:40 pm

i have a black widow roof basket and i have not noticed any decrease in mpg... i do want to make a wind deflector, but i really don't think i will, since the wind noise is mostly due to the RENNEGADE LIGHT BAR!

Pote · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:26 pm

riptricket wrote:

i have a black widow roof basket and i have not noticed any decrease in mpg... i do want to make a wind deflector, but i really don't think i will, since the wind noise is mostly due to the RENNEGADE LIGHT BAR!

plus black widow has a sweet wraparound fairing for real cheap. I have the combo from them and noticed zero loss of MPG.

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:32 pm

riptricket wrote:

i have a black widow roof basket and i have not noticed any decrease in mpg... i do want to make a wind deflector, but i really don't think i will, since the wind noise is mostly due to the RENNEGADE LIGHT BAR!

the Renny light bar causes wind noise?? wow.. i wouldnt have thought that. ive been looking to get one.. hmm... might make me change my mind..

im glad to hear that the surco rack does not have any wind noise or that bad of a MPG loss..and it sure does make the libby look good

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:39 pm

No MPG loss from my Gecko Basket Rack since I got my RL tire carrier and got my spare off my roof,no wind noise either and no wind fairing but I also have the renny lightbar but still no noise from that either(and I don't have the covers on either).

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:54 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

No MPG loss from my Gecko Basket Rack since I got my RL tire carrier and got my spare off my roof,no wind noise either and no wind fairing but I also have the renny lightbar but still no noise from that either(and I don't have the covers on either).

yeah i really like the Gecko Basket but since i got this rack at such a good price i couldnt say no. my cousin and fellow wheeler just got his second land rover that has a locked; winched; ARB bumper; 32s;etc u get the idea. but it came with a new rack so he sold me the surco for cheap.

isutherl · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:51 pm

i dont notice wind noise from the lightbar

PaU-MWolverine · **Posted:** Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:55 pm

Pote wrote:

riptricket wrote:

i have a black widow roof basket and i have not noticed any decrease in mpg... i do want to make a wind deflector, but i really don't think i will, since the wind noise is mostly due to the RENNEGADE LIGHT BAR!

plus black widow has a sweet wraparound fairing for real cheap. I have the combo from them and noticed zero loss of MPG.

I'm glad to have read this! I just had the Black Widow delivered - with the wind fairing and 20" extension - it weighs very little. 25 lbs. or so?? I figure to not lose much mpg with that weight and very little drag. I'm using uni-strut & u-bolts for x-rails, once I get those bedlined, plasti-dipped, & mounted, I'll know the mpg for sure.

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:54 am

ok so i got to take my KJ out for a test drive with the new basket. my wife and i went out to eat and there was NO wind noise!!

not only that i had a fellow wheeling buddy call me when i was on my way to tell me how good it looked. he said he wouldnt have even noticed he passed me if it werent for the new basket. said it really made it stand out. i also received many tooks in the parking to of the restaurant. so i am very happy with it and also think it adds alot to the KJ. i plan to mount a high jack up there soon and possibly my spare.

here is a pic i took with my cell of the new basket

Landy · **Posted:** Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:32 am

I have a Mopar OME basket that came with a dark smoke deflector. I took it off simply because personally, I didn't care for the look of it mounted up on there. It says JEEP on it too!! -weeeeee.

Dude, you can have it for the ship costs if you really want it.

P/M me.

Landy

Roof rack question

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