Limb Riser Discussion

[The Roadie]

... if I whack something with the antenna while on a trail, I can can be certain that it will hit the rack as well.

Limb risers. Not just a noisemaker, but functional windshield protection.

[bgwolfpack]

Yes, you guess it, limb risers from where the antenna mounts up and back to a light bar or roof rack.

[Trail X]

Limb risers are supposed to be attached to your headlight hoops, so they have a better angle for lifting limbs.

I haven't looked closely, but it looks like we may run into interference with the hood being raised, as our roofline is a bit skinnier than the front clip.

But,... back to the antenna thing.

[Philberto]

Simple solution: wider roof rack. Hopefully I'll be able to have limb risers once I get my megamule rack. I'll probably run them to eyes attached to the hood channel until I get my front bumper. Thanks for the pics janesy.

[bgwolfpack]

Limb risers are supposed to be attached to your headlight hoops, so they have a better angle for lifting limbs.

I haven't looked closely, but it looks like we may run into interference with the hood being raised, as our roofline is a bit skinnier than the front clip.

But,... back to the antenna thing.

The idea is to have the Mega mule on with light bar. The limb risers would not be a permanent mod, rather one that could be placed on the vehicle when needed. I actually thought maybe air hose connectors would work, solid at the area of the antenna placement (both sides) and solid at the Mule. The lengths then are manageable to leave in the truck and just snap into place if needed.
Not sure if it's heavy enough but wire conduit is light and simple to bend.
Cheap enough materials you could web the truck if you wanted to.

Any thoughts?

[Trail X]

I'm not sure what you're talking about... but if you're using wire conduit, you're not talking about the same limb risers I know.

These are the ones I know:

[bgwolfpack]

No I know, you don't get it but I haven't seen this idea either.

This is what I'm am referring to=

conduit2-reverse.jpg

(4.13 KiB) Downloaded 316 times

It's just an idea.

[Trail X]

I know the material you were referencing.

But, why do you want bars sticking out of your firewall?

[bgwolfpack]

I know the material you were referencing.

But, why do you want bars sticking out of your firewall?

Well James, my first thought was the length issue in regards to keeping them in the vehicle or on top in the rack. Your point about carrying to the front bumper makes good sense. Coming off the top of a grill guard and returning backward with a mounting point at the firewall then turning upward and back to a basket would be logical. This could be done in peaces that snap together.
This idea does not come with wanting to blow throw trees at 25 MPH but rather slowly raise branches off the vehicle at a slow climbing pace. Most of the time I can catch the drivers side branches and coax them over my mirror but my arm isn't long enough to reach the passenger side, and my wife and kids if they are along won't help either. They are usually to busy screaming at me.

I'm sure the stregth of it is a real issue.

Remember, we have a lot of trees up here.

I'm open to all ideas.

[Philberto]

If you're talking about portability and storage when not in use, it just makes more sense to use the steel cable that is used for most limb risers than to use conduit. If properly tensioned, it offers just as much strength if not more than the conduit and you don't have to worry about it bending if it's not strong enough.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I had always thought to use plastic coated wire and some bolts that can be adjusted to keep good tension on them.

[Philberto]

I had always thought to use plastic coated wire and some bolts that can be adjusted to keep good tension on them.

I had always planned on plastic-coated steel cable with turnbuckles for adjustment... any other ideas?

[Trail X]

The biggest question is... how are you going to attach the cable on the roof. You're going to have to fab brackets that will be screwed to your roof sheetmetal. Even a MegaMule isn't going to sit that far forward. The limb risers will need to be attached right above the windshield. Even then, I think they will have to be removed in order to open the hood.

[MrSmithsTB]

A "U" bracket that attaches to the front bolt holding the roof rack in, extending up as many inches as required(12"-+) forward to where the windshield starts and down again with a rubber boot to protect the paint. Channeled so as to keep the wire in place. Maybe even a three piece design with tubing running the length for extra assurance. I've seen similar for running heavier electrical cables, no reason the concept could not be adapted.

[Philberto]

The biggest question is... how are you going to attach the cable on the roof. You're going to have to fab brackets that will be screwed to your roof sheetmetal. Even a MegaMule isn't going to sit that far forward. The limb risers will need to be attached right above the windshield. Even then, I think they will have to be removed in order to open the hood.

Removable was already planned for in mine... don't always want to have to explain the clotheslines on the car

And to spoil a future surprise, I was going to lengthen my megamule to make it a full-length. I know our roof slopes, and I had a few ideas on how to deal with that, including making a 2-level rack... but that's TBD when I have the rack in my hot little hands. If it wasn't so expensive, I'd be looking at an EXP Rack, but not worth the substantial price difference IMHO.

[Trail X]

Ah, cool idea. I always thought It'd be neat to run a bar forward on the roof to hold lights. It could be an attachment point for risers too.

I just need to buy a welder... and a garage...

[HARDTRAILZ]

Strong springs and carbiners for easy quick release set-up if the hood need opened at some point.

The springs will help account for body movement versus frame. If you connect from a frame mounted bumper to a body mounted roof rack you could have some issues if drawn up tight.

[Gordinho80]

Ah, cool idea. I always thought It'd be neat to run a bar forward on the roof to hold lights. It could be an attachment point for risers too.

I just need to buy a welder... and a garage...

I think my bro in law has a welder? I have a garage....

[DirtyBacon04]

I'm glad Roadie mentioned limb risers again.
Has anybody actually done this yet? Or was it kind of pushed to the end of the priority list and then forgotten about?

[Trail X]

I don't think it's needed on a TB. The body slopes pretty well... not sure what they would do for you.