Gobi Stealth Rack - My thoughts

Padams7
Sep 26, 2022

Rank VI

Sep 26, 2022

So I got the Gobi Stealth Rack 2 weeks ago, and have driven a few thousand miles.

I did have the rack professionally installed - the ladder on the passenger side, as well as the rear cross bars do come into contact with the soft top, this can cause a wearing issue. I did make some adjustments to the side pressure knobs, and was able to give a small 1/8" gap. But another forum member reached out to me before I noticed this to inform me that he is working with Gobi to find a solution. He is the one who brought it to my attention.

I do have a 4 door Badlands with the soft top - and I immediately installed a GFC Superlite on the rack - I would recommend anyone opting for a RTT to get the elevated cross bars, I am going to build my own. The noise level with the tent installed is noticeable, very noticeable. I do want to get an decibel meter and see how loud it actually is. But the noise seems to be even louder with the tent removed.

I drove a few hundred miles this weekend on the highway with just the rack, and the noise level was pretty extreme. I do want to make a wind buffer for the front of the rack to see if this helps.

The rack though is extremely well built and solid. I'm 250lbs, I climbed up on it, no issues, no wobbling.

My MPG is suffering, by about 2-3mpg on the Hwy as far as I could tell, but at slower speeds like to and from work, 35, 45, 55, on rural county roads, I am not seeing more than a 1mpg decrease, it's actually less than that.

You cannot open the rear of the soft top, at all, so access to the rear is limited. I either need to get a Besttop Trek Top, or a hard top to be able to access the rear cargo area. I have a Tuffy Drawer that I installed a fridge slide on, so rear access is limited unless I want to fold down a rear seat and access the cargo area that way. I can remove the rear window, but the bar that latches is in the way.

But, with that being said, to me, this is exactly what I wanted, I just only want a hard top to go under it. The functionality of it when I change tops will provide me with the vehicle I have planned since before the Bronco was announced.
Moving Chicane, Deano Bronc
Last edited by a moderator: Sep 26, 2022

Rank VI

Sep 26, 2022

#1
Some photos - the flag was for a 9/11 car show and and memorial run. Just zip tied it.

Attachments

Moving Chicane, Deano Bronc

Rank VI

Sep 26, 2022

#2
Well dang. I never would have imagined they'd design one that makes access to the back non-existent.
Badlands | Sasquatch | Cyber Orange | 2.7L | Lux | Soft Top
AcesandEights

Rank 0

Oct 05, 2022

#3
Here’s another option coming soon.

Rank VI

Oct 26, 2022

#4
So a month to the day later - Updates.

Gobi has sent me out a new Windshield Hoop, as well as rear corner bars and ladders - I did swap these items out and the space between the soft top and the rack is increased to there are no concerns. I am very happy that Gobi stepped up to fix this problem right away. Their communication has been spot on and they have taken care of me.

I mounted a Ironman4x4America Awning to the rack, and did an event down here in Florida at Lead Foot City as a vendor, being able to have my vehicle at events like this is convenient, and a talking point, so that is good.

There is some wind noise - I do not mind it, but it is significant to the fact that phone calls are loud. I will look to add a wind shield to the rack as soon as I can make one, or as soon as Gobi makes one - Amazon has some universal ones - I am going to try to lessen it.

MPG - It has gone down, less than 1 MPG, but I do see a difference in the MPG from before the install to after. Added weight and less aerodynamic, I knew it would happen. But I will see if the wind shield helps alleviate some of this.

I am not running with the RTT on it 24/7, I will probably keep the awning on full time, but the tent when I am using it. I have put other things on top of the rack and strapped them down. Extra fishing poles, tackle boxes, totes, etc.

I am going to order myself a Besttop Trektop (twill) - This will allow me to use the rear cargo area, while staying in a decent budget till I am able to source a hard top - My girlfriend says I need a new roof on the house before I get a new roof for the Bronco..........
Moving Chicane, Deano Bronc

Rank 0

May 10, 2024

#5
So a month to the day later - Updates.

Gobi has sent me out a new Windshield Hoop, as well as rear corner bars and ladders - I did swap these items out and the space between the soft top and the rack is increased to there are no concerns. I am very happy that Gobi stepped up to fix this problem right away. Their communication has been spot on and they have taken care of me.

I mounted a Ironman4x4America Awning to the rack, and did an event down here in Florida at Lead Foot City as a vendor, being able to have my vehicle at events like this is convenient, and a talking point, so that is good.

There is some wind noise - I do not mind it, but it is significant to the fact that phone calls are loud. I will look to add a wind shield to the rack as soon as I can make one, or as soon as Gobi makes one - Amazon has some universal ones - I am going to try to lessen it.

MPG - It has gone down, less than 1 MPG, but I do see a difference in the MPG from before the install to after. Added weight and less aerodynamic, I knew it would happen. But I will see if the wind shield helps alleviate some of this.

I am not running with the RTT on it 24/7, I will probably keep the awning on full time, but the tent when I am using it. I have put other things on top of the rack and strapped them down. Extra fishing poles, tackle boxes, totes, etc.

I am going to order myself a Besttop Trektop (twill) - This will allow me to use the rear cargo area, while staying in a decent budget till I am able to source a hard top - My girlfriend says I need a new roof on the house before I get a new roof for the Bronco..........

Any long term reviews/updates? I'm seriously considering one.
2022 Shadow Black OBX SAS

Rank 0

May 14, 2024

#6
The Gobi Rack has my interest over all of the others for the soft top at this point and I plan to buy one later this year. Although, I had the understanding that you can still open the rear of your soft top. Maybe something has changed in their design since 2022?
2023 EG 4-door Badlands SAS, 2.7, High Package w/ soft top

You must log in or register to post here.