Install video of the TrailRax Modular Roof Rack for the 4 door Bronco

[TrailRax]

Install video is live on our Youtube channel!
This install video will cover everything for the TrailRax Ford Bronco Modular roof rack with the Pak Rax. This will be very similar to the 2-door and will give you a good idea of how to install everything. Let us know if you have any questions.

https://www.trailrax.com/collections/ford-bronco

​

Sponsored

 

[DangerMTBBronco]

Ok you include (4) M-6 x 1mm thread nuts but do not mention what they are for in the paper or video instructions. Because they were included in your FB-RR-4DR hardware bag loose with the carriage bolts I assumed they were for the carriage bolts. Nope too small of course. SO what are they for?

 

[F-Spot]

Ok you include (4) M-6 x 1mm thread nuts but do not mention what they are for in the paper or video instructions. Because they were included in your FB-RR-4DR hardware bag loose with the carriage bolts I assumed they were for the carriage bolts. Nope too small of course. SO what are they for?

I think those are the optional nuts to use for the windshield accessory mount points, if you decide not to reuse the factory nuts.

 

[DangerMTBBronco]

I think those are the optional nuts to use for the windshield accessory mount points, if you decide not to reuse the factory nuts.

Thanks, you are right. Appreciate you replying. I got it installed.

 

[DangerMTBBronco]

Got it instslled. Took all day but got it done. Lol

 

[Robert LaBella]

This is a great rack. What's most impressive to me is that the wind deflector really works and I found there to be no noticeable wind noise from the wind deflector ( I don't have the lightbar cutout). There's some minimal noise added from the sides of the rack but it's not much of a nuisance. The instructions were easy but as others have reported, the arrangements of bolts on the wind deflector makes it extremely difficult to tighten them. It just takes some patience and finesse. Aside from that, the materials are solidly built from quality materials. The fatal flaw is that if you want to mount items like the TrailRax Universal Modular Mount or Recovery Board Universal Mount, you need special hardware not provided with either of those items. The helpful staff member at TrailRax call-in number was able to guide me to the "correct" parts online. The rack uses a groove mounting system that requires you purchase drop-in T-nuts (1/4 20) and 1/4 20 bolts (1/2 inch) from Amazon. The problem is - those drop-in T-nuts don't fit. You have to grind them down to fit into the grooves. This is a pain in the neck. This rack is a great product, but they really need to provide appropriate hardware to mount items to the surface of the roof rack. I've attached a couple of pictures showing how the drop-in t-nuts don't fit (before) and the post-grinding fit.

 

[msujay2012]

This is a great rack. What's most impressive to me is that the wind deflector really works and I found there to be no noticeable wind noise from the wind deflector ( I don't have the lightbar cutout). There's some minimal noise added from the sides of the rack but it's not much of a nuisance. The instructions were easy but as others have reported, the arrangements of bolts on the wind deflector makes it extremely difficult to tighten them. It just takes some patience and finesse. Aside from that, the materials are solidly built from quality materials. The fatal flaw is that if you want to mount items like the TrailRax Universal Modular Mount or Recovery Board Universal Mount, you need special hardware not provided with either of those items. The helpful staff member at TrailRax call-in number was able to guide me to the "correct" parts online. The rack uses a groove mounting system that requires you purchase drop-in T-nuts (1/4 20) and 1/4 20 bolts (1/2 inch) from Amazon. The problem is - those drop-in T-nuts don't fit. You have to grind them down to fit into the grooves. This is a pain in the neck. This rack is a great product, but they really need to provide appropriate hardware to mount items to the surface of the roof rack. I've attached a couple of pictures showing how the drop-in t-nuts don't fit (before) and the post-grinding fit.

Would a smaller carriage bolt & nut work instead of having to file down the ones they recommend?

 

[cr117]

Would a smaller carriage bolt & nut work instead of having to file down the ones they recommend?

I’ve bought several different styles of 1/4-20 nuts and bolts from various places online without needing to grind anything. Just make sure you’re getting them for 10 series extrusion, otherwise you might run into fitment issues.

 

[Bronco_montana]

If you’re grinding things - you have the wrong size.

 

[pferrel]

A couple steps seem impossible to do:

Step #1 of the online instructions show mounting the rubber pad to clamp parts. On my 2023 Wildtrak the outside clamp will absolutely NOT fit in the slot of the top with padding on both sides of the bent piece. I have to shorten the pad so it only covers the long side of the bend, then it fits but no padding in the hardtop slot.

Step 11: This is IMO impossible. I had to detach the deflector from the rack and loosen the t-nuts so it could be slide back and forth on the rail. I then slid it to one side--tighted nuts to body, slid to the other side--tighten nuts to body, center and tighten all the deflector mounts to rail so the deflector+rail is all tight and mounted above the windshield. Argh! Using this process I'd recommend you tighten all deflector mount bolts to finger tight then back off one full turn (or so) to loosen it so it can slide. Loosen them too much and they may vibrate loose of the t-nuts and you have to completely remove and re-assemble the deflector mounts. And you don't want that (This happened to me several times before I got the process right ) Then attach the rest of the rack back to the deflector+rail assembly and you are back on track.

BTW sliding the deflector probably won't work if you have attached the aluminum backing plate for their logo. I left mine off. The bolts at so long they will probably catch when trying to slide the deflector.

Concerns:
The thing that concerns me the most is the lack of a pad on part of the clamp. Maybe much thinner weather seal would work better. I'm surprised no one else has run into this.

Mini review:
The rack is STRONG, solid, and looks ok but fit an finish are only so-so. All the visible button head bolts are somewhat annoying. The arch of the deflector does not match any other visible curve on the Bronco body and IMO looks a bit klunky. To mate with the windshield the deflector would have to be curved to match the curve of the windshield but it is flat so the arch is needed so make it intersect correctly. I'd have paid more to get a better wind deflector, one that is easier to mount and fixed the visual problems.

I'd give it a 4 of 5. Except for some weakness in instructions it is exactly as advertised and a good value but I just have a couple visual quibbles--but I knew that going in.

 

[TrailRax]

A couple steps seem impossible to do:

Step #1 of the online instructions show mounting the rubber pad to clamp parts. On my 2023 Wildtrak the outside clamp will absolutely NOT fit in the slot of the top with padding on both sides of the bent piece. I have to shorten the pad so it only covers the long side of the bend, then it fits but no padding in the hardtop slot.

Step 11: This is IMO impossible. I had to detach the deflector from the rack and loosen the t-nuts so it could be slide back and forth on the rail. I then slid it to one side--tighted nuts to body, slid to the other side--tighten nuts to body, center and tighten all the deflector mounts to rail so the deflector+rail is all tight and mounted above the windshield. Argh! Using this process I'd recommend you tighten all deflector mount bolts to finger tight then back off one full turn (or so) to loosen it so it can slide. Loosen them too much and they may vibrate loose of the t-nuts and you have to completely remove and re-assemble the deflector mounts. And you don't want that (This happened to me several times before I got the process right ) Then attach the rest of the rack back to the deflector+rail assembly and you are back on track.

BTW sliding the deflector probably won't work if you have attached the aluminum backing plate for their logo. I left mine off. The bolts at so long they will probably catch when trying to slide the deflector.

Concerns:
The thing that concerns me the most is the lack of a pad on part of the clamp. Maybe much thinner weather seal would work better. I'm surprised no one else has run into this.

Mini review:
The rack is STRONG, solid, and looks ok but fit an finish are only so-so. All the visible button head bolts are somewhat annoying. The arch of the deflector does not match any other visible curve on the Bronco body and IMO looks a bit klunky. To mate with the windshield the deflector would have to be curved to match the curve of the windshield but it is flat so the arch is needed so make it intersect correctly. I'd have paid more to get a better wind deflector, one that is easier to mount and fixed the visual problems.

I'd give it a 4 of 5. Except for some weakness in instructions it is exactly as advertised and a good value but I just have a couple visual quibbles--but I knew that going in.

Hey, For your concern, The foam pad is made to be oversized so that it can compress and apply even pressure when mounted, the first time the foam is installed, it is a tough time, but the foam does settle. We do not recommend cutting off anymore foam than what is provided, rather be patient and install the foam to the best of your ability in the specified location. During our development of this product, we tried thinner foam and it only caused issues with rattling and too much movement in the rack.

For the wind deflector, this has been gone over in our main thread about our TRMR Rack. The flat plate that we use for the wind deflector has to have a curve in it due to the oval like shape the front of the Bronco windshield has. Best example is when you stick a flat plane through a sphere, you get an arch. Now you may ask why we did not offer a bent deflector, this is due to rising costs that most customers would not want to have to pay. Could this be an upgrade we offer down the line, yes but the interest is so little.

Thanks for your input. Our design team has taken everything mentioned into consideration!

 

[Qarlos]

Sharing some feedback on my installation process. Observing all the comments on the difficultly of tightening the nuts onto the accessory bolts above the windshield. I found it much easier to install the t-nuts in the front crossbar, assemble and install the rack on the truck and as a final, last step install the wind deflector by lining up the t-nuts with the holes in the wind deflector.

It's very difficult to turn those nuts from behind the deflector, but easy the tighten them down before the deflector is installed and not difficult at all to install the deflector as a last step. I even removed the deflector to adjust the weather strip and reinstalled it.

Oh, and just because I could I also installed PPF under the lower Pak Rax brackets and above the windshield where the weather strip touches.

Sponsored