Freelander – Custom Light Bar Roof Rack
Between motorsport marshaling and responding with NW4x4 response, I occasionally find myself in potentially hazardous positions. Typically around moving vehicles in the dusk of outright pitch black. This risk can be readily removed by being more visible. I figured it might be time for a light bar and rack on the Freelander.
What sort of lightbar/beacon?
From experience with blue light installations, I already knew which lightbar I wanted, the Optic Max from RVL. This lightbar provides the best size to weight while being suitably rated. It is intended to be directly roof-mounted, but I didn’t like the idea of drilling holes in the car. A custom rack or roof bars seemed like the best solution.
The initial design concept was to replicate the shape and dimensions of the Freelander2 options roof rails. This would allow the use of the existing holes in the bodywork to be used to secure the rack. Some dimensions were taken and a jig made up to get the holes aligned.
Fabricating some brackets
Some welding and grinding later and I thought it was job done! How wrong I was. A multitude of problems entailed. The holes in the body had different spacing on the left and right of the car, I suspect poor manufacturing. This means the rails are not parallel to each other or the body. Que a speedy redesign.
Final Design and Installation
The final Freelander light bar rack design was less pretty but significantly more flexible and robust. By the time I was finishing off the crossbars I’d run out of base coat, so some decent primer will have to do for now.
I do wonder if the final positioning on the car is a bit low. I may need to install risers for greater visibility from behind. Unfortunately, Motorsport is canceled, and lockdown means I’ve not driven very far from day to day.
After a few test drives and the odd active deployment of the lights, this lightbar rack really does work well. Beyond being securely fixed to the vehicle, there are no rattles and little wind noise! Obviously, the Freelander2 top speed isn’t great, but I’m pretty confident they won’t fall off.
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