Modified TrailRax For 2 Door Bronco

DMSCS · Dec 8, 2023

After extensive searching I determined that my ideal roof rack wasn't available on the market. I wanted a low profile roof rack for my 2 door Badlands, but most options were designed to allow the front panels to be removed with the rack still on, adding unnecessary height. Since I plan to add a rooftop tent, I didn't care about removing the roof panels and wanted to keep the final height of rack + RTT under 10 inches or less. I ordered an FSR Aspen Lite which is about 7.5" tall, so to meet my goal the rack needed to be as slim as possible.

This really limited my options. Prinsu offers a lower profile rack, but only for the 4 door, and the pro version isn't available yet (prinsu customer service said they're testing this now). I wanted a rack with 90 degree bent rails for strength, so the Prinsu was out. I knew the TrailRax was well regarded, and they have a 2 door version - it was just taller than I wanted. So when the TrailRax went on sale for Black Friday I ordered one knowing I would be modifying it.

All I did was cut the side rails to more closely fit the profile of the roof. I drilled new holes for the front and rear mounts, then cut a couple inches off the wind detector. Finally I had a local shop strip and redo the powder coating. I'm much happier with the final product and wish this was how it came originally!

*Disclaimer*
-Yes I know this voids the TrailRax warranty
-Yes I know I have too much time on my hands
-I probably won't get the Pak Tax side panels (the FSR tent is only 100lbs), but I'm sure I could still make them work with my modified rack if I wanted

climb2descend · Dec 8, 2023

That looks way better trimmed down, worth it. Nice work man.

hellahella · Dec 8, 2023

DMSCS said:
After extensive searching I determined that my ideal roof rack wasn't available on the market. I wanted a low profile roof rack for my 2 door Badlands, but most options were designed to allow the front panels to be removed with the rack still on, adding unnecessary height. Since I plan to add a rooftop tent, I didn't care about removing the roof panels and wanted to keep the final height of rack + RTT under 10 inches or less. I ordered an FSR Aspen Lite which is about 7.5" tall, so to meet my goal the rack needed to be as slim as possible.

This really limited my options. Prinsu offers a lower profile rack, but only for the 4 door, and the pro version isn't available yet (prinsu customer service said they're testing this now). I wanted a rack with 90 degree bent rails for strength, so the Prinsu was out. I knew the TrailRax was well regarded, and they have a 2 door version - it was just taller than I wanted. So when the TrailRax went on sale for Black Friday I ordered one knowing I would be modifying it.

All I did was cut the side rails to more closely fit the profile of the roof. I drilled new holes for the front and rear mounts, then cut a couple inches off the wind detector. Finally I had a local shop strip and redo the powder coating. I'm much happier with the final product and wish this was how it came originally!

*Disclaimer*
-Yes I know this voids the TrailRax warranty
-Yes I know I have too much time on my hands
-I probably won't get the Pak Tax side panels (the FSR tent is only 100lbs), but I'm sure I could still make them work with my modified rack if I wanted

I have the 2dr TRMR rack too, and with the current clearance between the hardtop and a rtt, the only tool I can use for rtt removal is a ratcheting wrench. Do you think this will be an issue for you?

DMSCS · Dec 8, 2023

hellahella said:
I have the 2dr TRMR rack too, and with the current clearance between the hardtop and a rtt, the only tool I can use for rtt removal is a ratcheting wrench. Do you think this will be an issue for you?

I'll have to see when I get my rtr. There's still room under the rails, but worst case I have to remove the rack and install the tent, then reinstall together. The RTT will live on my Bronco since I don't have room to put it anywhere if removed, so I'm not concerned if it's a little more difficult of a process.

hellahella · Dec 8, 2023

DMSCS said:
I'll have to see when I get my rtr. There's still room under the rails, but worst case I have to remove the rack and install the tent, then reinstall together. The RTT will live on my Bronco since I don't have room to put it anywhere if removed, so I'm not concerned if it's a little more difficult of a process.

Ah got it. Thanks. I was hoping you had a suggestion for a short quick release

DMSCS · Dec 9, 2023

hellahella said:
Ah got it. Thanks. I was hoping you had a suggestion for a short quick release

I've seen a few quick release kits on the market. This one was designed to sit on top of the rails, but it may be possible to rotate them 90 degrees and clamp to the TrailRax using a flat bar under the rail.

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...3fkjVb-JhcHVLOL5hZODkOi_xWBnDt-hoCILQQAvD_BwE

RagnarKon · Dec 9, 2023

climb2descend said:
That looks way better trimmed down, worth it. Nice work man.

Agreed, definitely looks way better.

Not sure I could commit to doing that because I’d have to give up the ability to remove the front roof panels. Also would probably be much harder to switch between summer mode with a RTT and camping gear, and winter mode with ski racks. But, yeah—it absolutely looks better.

Bronco_montana · Dec 9, 2023

I guess removing your front roof panels is not in your plans?

DMSCS · Dec 9, 2023

Bronco_montana said:
I guess removing your front roof panels is not in your plans?

Yeah I plan to leave my rooftop tent up there so removing the front panels seems pointless with a tent covering everything anyway.

DMSCS · Dec 9, 2023

RagnarKon said:
Agreed, definitely looks way better.

Not sure I could commit to doing that because I’d have to give up the ability to remove the front roof panels. Also would probably be much harder to switch between summer mode with a RTT and camping gear, and winter mode with ski racks. But, yeah—it absolutely looks better.

I definitely went into this knowing I'd be leaving my RTT on the rack year round. I'm planning to make a vertical rack to mount to the RTR tailgate panel for my snowboard.

Squatched · Dec 10, 2023

Great job! Looks much better.

Superstition · Dec 10, 2023

Dayum! That looks terrific. Wonderful job.

Donkeygyrl · Dec 11, 2023

Great job I was in the same boat so I bought a bunch of stainless and made one ,it's at the powdercoater .

ElonMuk · Dec 11, 2023

IMO this looks great and is exactly what I would like to see in the market. I ordered a RTT from BA Tents on Black Friday and still thinking about which roof rack will keep it low profile. I don't plan on removing the roof panels either. Kudos on this one

DMSCS · Dec 11, 2023

Donkeygyrl said:
Great job I was in the same boat so I bought a bunch of stainless and made one ,it's at the powdercoater .

Nice! I thought about building my own but decided it would be easier to modify an existing kit than start from scratch. You'll have to post some pics of the final product!

Modified TrailRax For 2 Door Bronco

DMSCS

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climb2descend

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hellahella

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DMSCS

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hellahella

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DMSCS

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RagnarKon

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Bronco_montana

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DMSCS

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