A roof rack on your Defender 110 can be a great fit addition to your car. The roof rack provides a lot of extra space, which you can use regardless of what you intend to use the Defender for. Needless to say, the choice of which roof rack you should get and the installation process can be daunting for a novice in the DIY field. Therefore, this article gives a detailed ultimate guide on Defender 110 roof racks, how to choose one, installation, and valuable tips.
Choosing A Defender 110 Roof Rack
Before you can begin installing the defender 110 Roof Rack, you must first identify which roof rack is ideal for your car. There are different kinds of roof racks depending on your car’s roof. For example, cars with sunroofs require different roof racks from those with bare roofs. Additional features such as side rails and mounted fixing points determine the roof rack to use on your Defender 110. Considering such factors will allow you to get the roof rack that meets the specifications of your car.
Installation of The Roof Rack
While the mode of installation of the roof rack differs depending on the type of roof rack, in general, all you need to change will be minimal since most roof racks operate similarly. If the roof rack you have is customizable to the car, you would have to get the specified instructions from the manufacturer. However, these instructions will suffice for most Defender 110 roof racks.
Tools Needed for Roof Rack Installation
Before beginning the installation job, you need to have all the tools handy so that when you start, you can finish the whole activity in one sitting. The main tools you should have are spanners, pliers, and ratchet straps for fastening any luggage on top of the roof rack.
With these tools, you can then start the installation process in the following ways:
1. Placing the Leg Fittings or Towers on the Roof of The Defender 110
The first step is to place the leg fittings on the car’s roof. These fittings support the roof rack once you place it on top of the car. In most Defenders, the leg fittings are fastened on the gutters on the car’s roof. This can be done using clips that fit onto the gutters.
After placing the leg fittings on the roof, you can ensure that the placement is tight by fastening it using your pliers. If the leg fittings are loose, the roof might topple, thus damaging your luggage.
2. Fitting the Roof Rack
Once you are done with the leg fittings, you need to place the roof rack on top of the car. This is often a two-person job owing to the size of the roof rack.
Since the roof rack is wide, placing it on top of the car by yourself can be risky. Thus, you need someone else to help you carry the roof rack and place it on top of the car. The best way to place the roof rack is by carrying it from the car’s rear to avoid damaging the windshield. Additionally, be careful to avoid scratching the paint of the car’s body when placing the roof rack on the car.
Now that you have placed the roof rack on top of the car, you then need to slide it and position it evenly on the roof. This is best done slowly so that the roof rack can fit securely. For the Defender 110, you need to position the roof rack at approximately 50 mm from the back of the car for it to be evenly placed. Confirm the positioning of the roof rack before proceeding to the next step.
3. Fastening the Roof Rack
After ensuring that the roof rack is stable and evenly placed on the roof, you need to fasten it on the earlier fittings.
Each leg support on the roof rack goes on a leg fitting. As you position each leg of the roof rack on the leg fittings, place the bolt and nut before confirming whether the next ones are in place. Make all the adjustments as necessary and ensure that all the bolts and nuts fit before you start fastening them.
Using your spanner, tighten the roof racks legs down in a cross pattern as you gradually go around the car. This means that you should start with the right side of the car, on to the left, and back to the right as you go round. It may seem more straightforward to begin fastening on one side and then proceed to the other, but this will make the nuts lose on one side.
Finally, place the ratchet straps on the outermost cross bars for fastening heavy loads. After finishing this step, you are good to go.
Final Words
The Defender 110 roof rack can serve many functions, such as carrying canoes for fishing, camping gear, or even placing a roof tent in case you regularly go camping. Hopefully, these instructions were clear as you started working on your roof rack.
