Installing lights on Gobi roof rack -- -- need advice

[CslRkH2]

How do you remove the overhead console?

Do you have to remove it to get access to above the headliner on top of the console?

[timgco]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GeorgeSSSS:
Tim:

When you are driving with the factory faring removed, and the sunroof open, does it feel about the same as when you had the factory faring and no Gobi rack with its faring?

Thanks,

George </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think it's a little better. I honestly took my factory fairing off because the brackets were bent from the factory and causing my sunroof to leak. So I just left it off.

You will notice more noise with the lights than stock. The 1500 series lights are thin enough and don't have the rock guards like the 500 and 600 series lights, so they're much quieter. So by adding the GOBI fairing, you are channeling the wind over that bottom bar and sunroof. This keeps the windnoise down.

Currently, I have no GOBI faring or factory fairing and the noise is louder with the sunroof open. When closed, it's still quiet. The wind does come in the sunroof a little without the faring. I would just take off the factory one so it's easier to clean and put the GOBI one on.
Good luck and let me know if you have any more Q's.
Tim.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GeorgeSSSS:
One quick question: Rodster, when you have the sunroof open, does it feel about the way it did before you added the rack with its own faring? If so, my instincts would be leave the original H2 faring in place.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No real difference in feel between pre- and post-Gobi install. I think Tim took his factory fairing off so maybe he has a recommendation. If he suggests removing it prior to installation, I would if for no other reason than it's nearly impossible to clean behind the Gobi fairing with the factory setup in the way.

[GeorgeSSSS]

Based on the good advice I've always gotten from this forum, I've ordered a Gobi stealth rack for my H2. I've also ordered 4 PIAA 1500XT driving lights for the front and PIAA 2 Ion Crystal lights for the rear.

I am a little freaked out about drilling holes in the roof to run wires down into the car. I would appreciate advice about the best way to do this from anyone who can help.

Alternatively, if anyone knows an installer I can trust who is near the Redondo-Hermosa-Manhattan Beach area, I'd consider letting him do it.

Best regards,

George SSSS

[GeorgeSSSS]

Thanks a million again to everyone. I now have a good understanding of this project even before the equipment arrives and the work begins.

If anything pops up along the way that we haven't talked about (I doubt it), I'll take some pics and post the info so we can add it to our community info base.

I've got the "Gobi roof rack & lighting Bible" in my hands and I intend to follow it.

Thanks again,

George SSSS

[KenP]

You can run the wires throught the marker lights and inside the cab.

I had my dealer install them for me this past week. When I get the truck back I'll post some pics.

[GeorgeSSSS]

Outstanding advice from each of you. I'm very grateful. I'm starting to visualize this and it seems very do-able.

I'll search the posts. Any further tips would be appreciated.

H2Finally: Mrs. George SSSS and I went to your great restaurant 2 weeks ago, but Mrs. H2Finally and you weren't there. They told me you had family visiting, but I think you were out in the rocks.

Best regards,

George SSSS

[CslRkH2]

THANKS!

[shipbldr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 4CHURCHILL:
I Found Pilot lights which are a fraction of the cost, and from what I know work very well. I too ordered 4 for the front and 2 for the back. My rack is pre-wired but I have yet to decide which way to install them. Alot of installers are worried about dealing with the headliner. I don't know enough to know if this should be an issue or not. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Can you tell me which model(s) of the lights you used and like?

[GeorgeSSSS]

Guys:

All of this is outstanding. I'm assuming that the wires for all of the front lights thread through the rack. I also assume that the wires for the rear lights run through the rack and probably come out a hole at the left front. Is that about right?

Thanks,

George

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GeorgeSSSS:
I'm assuming that the wires for all of the front lights thread through the rack. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, sir. You'll build the four front lights' wiring harness, tuck it in flex tube then tuck and tie that under the light mounting bar, behind the Gobi wind fairing.



<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I also assume that the wires for the rear lights run through the rack and probably come out a hole at the left front. Is that about right? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Correct. Right rear wires run to left, inside rack tube; both rear light wire sets run forward inside the driver side rack tube and exit as shown above. You'll install the rack side connector to each rear, factory installed wire pair.

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One decision to make before mounting the rack: Will you retain the factory sunroof wind fairing? I didn't consider that until my rack was completely installed. To remove it now will require cutting. Not sure I will remove it as I suspect it's double wind protection when coupled with the Gobi fairing. The factory fairing did make for a tight work area when mounting the rack because I originally tied the wire harness to the underside of the rack at the exact place where the factory fairing is highest. I ended up cutting the plastic ties and pushing the harness forward and down the slope of the factory fairing.

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I found a set of install notes I collected from various posts on the forum. I'll post them next. They begin with references to a picture here: http://elcova.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/.../981100035/p/3

[GeorgeSSSS]

Now that the Gobi rack and PIAA lights are installed, I want to say that the comments on this thread helped us save a huge amount of time and trouble. I recommend reading this before anyone begins the installation process.

One thing we did learn that didn't come up in the above thread because it focused on PIAA lights: You need to relocate the XM radio antenna out ahead of the faring. It appears that the best way to do this is simply leave the old antenna in place and re-route the wires to a new antenna in front of the faring.

Thanks again to everyone who commented. You guys made a very difficult installation a piece of cake.

Best regards,

George SSSS

[H2Finally]

George, don't drill anything!! I don't have the Gobi, but I run my interior switch wires through the rubber boot (poking a small hole) under driver side marker light. I got black silicone from the Marine store at Crenshaw & PCH, and seal 'er up tight after. My power cable is ran under the driver side winshield molding to the engine compartment fuse box & battery.