Thank you for making these videos! I just ordered the vanguard roof rack so I figure it’ll get to me in about a week. I’m thinking of installing a light bar to take up the empty space instead of making a new fairing. I want to buy some things ahead of time so what size light bar do you think will fit the space? Also, what do you recommend in terms of attachment accessories for the rack like tie downs?

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Congrats! I bought these. amzn.to/36Ro1Tk - amzn.to/3cO3PWc - amzn.to/39UUA4I - amzn.to/3oTuQtK -

Hey man, just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate you stress testing the bleep out of your car and doing all these mods that I will never do to mine...although I do really like that ladder on the back...and the fog lights...dangit, man; we aren't friends anymore! Seriously, looking sharp, and you are braver than me, man. :)

wow! great job on the fairing, really shows the importance of a good fairing. or just the presence/absence of an extra roof bar as someone else pointed out

It looks gorgeous!

Thanks for all the videos. I ended up getting it since like most say, it’s a bang for your buck roof rack. But I figured a way to mitigate the wind noise and vibration from the 1st crossbar. I removed the 1st crossbar in the front to get rid of that air channel between the fairing and it. The noise and vibration are gone. This is a quick solution if you can live w/out it on or wait to custom fab a new fairing or install a light bar.

@JamesKlafehn

2 жыл бұрын

Good to know! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the videos. My son and I installed this rack on his 2019 rav4. We had the same issues that you did. After re drilling the front holes the rack fits pretty well. For the front lower crossbar I trimmed off one of the corners opposite where the faring mounts to get enough roof spacing. Had the same noise with the front crossbar vibrating at freeway speeds. We will pick up some aluminum sheet and make a new taller fairing to cover the top gap. We did put a 4 inch strip of 3m paint protector across the roof where the faring would contact and also ordered a rubber door guard with the blub seal, that should arrive on Monday. Thanks again for your great videos.

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! We are among only a few who have this rack. Do you have instagram?

@lmwilco1

3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn Yes, lmwilco1, the car is my son's, his Instagram is arizona_rav, he is painting the front fairing now. Hw will put some pictures up tomorrow one we install it.

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

@@lmwilco1 Its private I couldnt see it.

Your very creative and patient but you got it done to your liking, congrats :-)

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your positive comment and thank you for watching!

Great job live your video from building the rack and the custom fairing gonna make my fairing soon

@JamesKlafehn

2 жыл бұрын

Happy to help! Don't forget to hit that thumbs up button for me! Thank you!

Easy enough to make your new front spoiler using the new plywood mock-up. You can use a router on aluminum easily or you can use a Sabre saw. If you use some cad software you can create a file and send that electronically to specialist supply service where they could cut it. In regards to kWh vs distance, remember your number will be reduced whilst driving in a snowfall, maybe even affected with your new snow tires.

Great Job 👏🏽 😊 👍🏽

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

do you think this would work on a rav4 prime with the pano moonroof? the glass slides up instead of into the roof. Is the rack roof lower than the OE cross bars?

Looks great! I’m in the process of installing the same rack on my 2021 XSE Hybrid. I snagged the rack at 25% off online and came missing 25% of the hardware. Lol! No bolts, brackets or instructions. I have emailed customer service but as you mentioned replying doesn’t seem to be their thing. Anyway the overall quality of the crossbars and side rails looks very solid and I’m happy about that. I will be fabricating an aluminum faring to replace the stock and I’m going to use black titanium bolts instead of the SS it is supposed to come with. Here’s hoping....

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Nice deal! Thanks for watching! I like your idea of the bolts. My black paint has already flaked off all the bolts.

@jakereese79

2 жыл бұрын

Do you know what size of black titanium bolts? I'm looking to get this rack as well.

It really is beautiful where you live!

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Only when we get snow. Otherwise its just cold and hard to do anything.

@mitchellbarnow1709

3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn I’ve never lived anywhere cold, so it’s only romantic to me.

How bout them Bills! It’s about time!

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Yup! Go Bills!!!

Nice work, I may replicate your efforts too!

Just make the fairing out of ABS plastic. TAP Plastics can make it for you. And you can add the factory fairing on top of the ABS one. Also do it in a different color.

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

That is a great idea! I love it! I could do red abs for the extra look. Then with the original fairing the red would show through the target that is cut into it. Thanks for the idea!!!

@mikemuha7537

3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn Lol, I was thinking red too.

@jamesvo6292

2 жыл бұрын

I just installed this rack this weekend and man, that top bar vibration is insanely loud. The plastic fairing is a great idea. Gonna give TAP a call tomorrow. Thanks!

What are the dimensions for the fairing?

Wow, That looks very cool. Do you have the measurements for fairing? I am going to see if my friend can make one out of aluminum. I have one of these roof racks coming on Monday for my wife's 2019 Adventure...

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! The measurements are in the video. I show a photo of it. If you make one make me one too. :)

@nogdolan

3 жыл бұрын

I thought it was in the video, I will keep you in mind if I can get one made.

@nogdolan

3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn I received the Roof Rack and unfortunately there is no way to install it on the 5th Gen RAV4 Adventure. The Roof Rails are much larger than the other models. I was able to communicate with the seller via the Seller's portal on Amazon and they said that the existing roof rails would need to be removed to install the roof rack. But looking at the brackets supplied with the rack in my opinion it would not be possible to install the roof tack directly to the roof (I have installed the Prinsu Roof Rack and I am familiar with the hole patterns on the roof). I wanted to update you on this so that people who are looking at this rack will have the latest information. Again thank you for your videos!! They are very informative.

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

@@nogdolan Thanks for the update! That makes sense. I see that the Adventure rails are different. Must be they have different rail mounting locations. If you really wanted this rack you could remove the Adventure rails and install the low profile roof rails then install the Vanguard rack but if you are doing all of that, you might as well go with a Prinsu. The main benefit of the Vanguard is that it uses the OEM rail mounting locations on the OEM low profile roof rails. (hopefully that makes sense)

I think if that piece of wood was stained darker instead of painted and had a varnish and rubber edge applied it would look pretty good. Maybe with some walnut accents around the rack. Idk maybe I’m just weird.

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Thats true. I didnt think of staining it. A nice dark wood finish would be something different and neat. I have the other half of the 2'x4' sheet. Maybe Ill try that. I like the look of metal and wood.

If you had to do it all over again knowing what you know now and figuring things out to make it work, would you skip this and go for the Prinsu (or similar)? And have you done any other testing? Wondering how much abuse this can actually withstand.

@JamesKlafehn

2 жыл бұрын

yes I would definitely. Its been great. The wood has held up and still looks great. I get so many compliments on it.

@omgKhanh

2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn for clarification, you would skip the Vanguard? Your statement goes into further detail makes it seem like you wouldn't.

@JamesKlafehn

2 жыл бұрын

@@omgKhanh I would install the vanguard again. I like it a lot.

What if you keep the vanguard wind screen and remove the first rail (the one that vibrates)?

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

I dont think that would help because the next one would then vibrate.

@duongly

3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn maybe you should give a shot... Because the way I see it is the short original deflector sends the air flow directly on the first rail. Anyways...

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

@@duongly I solved the issue with this fairing. Its very quiet now. I love it!

Do you have pano sun roof?

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

No

Lots of us don’t have the means to make this change

This question might be premature. Did you ever redo your roof rack wind deflector in aluminum? I’m a machinist and have connections to many sheet metal shops here in southern CA. I’m taking delivery on my prime in the end of June. I was thinking to fabricate some replacement mounts to properly fit the rack when I get mine. Thanks to your videos, I can make better informed decisions on mods etc. 👍 If I can help with the wind deflector, My Gmail is internationalgrinding. Love your content, keep up the good work!

🤗🤗🤗🤗

Did you hear about the recall for the Prime? Its a minor issue but violates federal law. Headlights adjusting horizontally

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Its only like 500 Primes. Its only XSE with the Premium package.

What happened to the ladder?

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Its installed. I made a video about it. kzread.info/dash/bejne/k6x2kqttitfZiKw.html

You know, I don't know that you would get anywhere with it, but you should see if you can get a hold of Linus Tech Tips...if you can get through, they might get a kick out of helping you out. I think a couple of them have electric vehicles, and they have all the right tools, so...

Did Vanguard ever get back to you on anything? Debating getting but not sure

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Never!

@johnbranigan5629

3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn I emailed with no response. Called yesterday and someone actually answered. But now waiting on a call back. I’m thinking if they can get their 25% coupon code to work, I’ll buy it. Would you recommend it now after more time with it?

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnbranigan5629 Definitely. I love it. It looks great and is very useable. Almost no noise with my new fairing. You need to build a fairing though otherwise its horrible.

Loved the video until I saw the Bills hat. Sincerely Dolphins fan! LOL

What does Caleb think?

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

I want to get him up there for a photo but its always dark and I would need my wife to watch the other side so he doesnt jump or fall. I only see her in the day light on weekends this time of year.

@mitchellbarnow1709

3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn I was only thinking about the noise level, but his opinion is definitely very important.

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

@@mitchellbarnow1709 haha. The new noise level is 0. Its awesome. No sacrifices. Maybe. slight range loss but Ive done so much to it and lost almost nothing. I am very happy with this car. WAY better than my Tesla. With my Tesla I was already working on Lemon Law at this point of my ownership.

Bro, you just need to design one. I’ll buy one from you.

Hmm, this looks different from this Vanguard install which the front faring seemed to fit with no issues on the front edge and came with a bottom rubber strip to protect the roof (kzread.info/dash/bejne/fp-sutqgdtSuXdo.html) and I like how the guy put a strip of clear protectorant under the rubber as well. On a different video another chap put some sort of bottom strip on the bottom strip which seems to take the vibration out.

Use plastic dip on the wood.

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

I dont think that would hold up well. I think the primer and oil based paint would absorb better.

maybe you should just design your own roof rack and sell them for all rav4s... seriously... YOU CAN DO IT!

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

That would probably cost me more than $400 haha

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

Plus this is what I would've designed. Its done. I love it!

@jmcast01

3 жыл бұрын

​@@JamesKlafehn I would buy it from you with all the materials, work fee and services plus shipping but yeah an all aluminum materials would have been better. It does look great and too bad Toyota did not offer this choice. They told me that their concern was more on fuel efficiency and that a roof rack does hinder it. Your RAV4 Prime looks awesome though and wish I could the same for mine.

High maintenance

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

What is the rack? I love this new one. It took a little bit of work but its awesome! High way noise is the lowest compared to any rack I have ever heard. My wind deflector worked great!

Couldn't you just mount the roof rack BACKWARDS and not need the plywood? That way the metal ramp would be in front of the car instead of the rear.

@JamesKlafehn

3 жыл бұрын

HUH? lol The "metal ramp" IS in the front of the car.

@jlawr4427

3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesKlafehn My bad. I get it now.