roof rack for my trac

[Pjibs]

Hey guys!

So I've been looking to getting a roof rack for my trac, but the thing is I want to be able to be able to fully remove the basket and aux. lights when I'm not using it. The reason is for better gas mileage for daily driving around campus. My thing is though, is there anyway I can wire in like male/female adapter for the wire that connect to the light so I can essentially plug and unplug the lights when I wanna take the basket off?

Any thoughts?
Thanks!
J.B.


http://www.everythingsuv.com/surco_safari_roof_racks-esuv.asp

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Yep, they sell them at any parts stores, Best Buy, Walmart, etc...

 

[LONO100]

yup, all you need is 5 bucks and a set of wire strippers and you can hook that up. i would also suggest ebay to see if you can find that roof rack for cheaper. ebay has a ton of roof racks for sale, a lot of the time the shipping is also free. you might be able to find this particular rack on there for cheaper, plus you might see another style that you might like even more than this one.

 

[JohnnyO]

Driving around campus....I'd say unless you're regularly going faster than 40 mph it won't make a difference in mpg. But the trailer connector is a great idea.

 

[OffTrac]

I've had my eye on a Curt basket. If they make strong enough hitches, I think I can trust they're baskets. I think I found one for around $120 or so on Amazon.

 

[Pjibs]

Perfect! That is what I was hoping could be done. Now that I think about it driving around campus wouldn't be the big issue, but I am taking some big road trips coming up in the coming summer so pending on whether or not I need the rack well just have to see.

Would it be a bad idea to wire a new set of aux lights into the 2nd factory fog light switch I have installed? (need to make the write up... sorry ) It would be running 4 Westin off-road lights. Can you overload a switch?

Thanks,
J.B.

 

[CityBoyAtl]

yes, you can overload a switch.. you should have your switch connected to a relay. the relay is then what switches the lights on. (this is how your headlight switch works too)

 

[Pjibs]

Something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-48145..._5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1322529128&sr=1-5

 

[ncranchero]

The only issue with the flat 4-wire connectors is that they are usually 16-18 gauge wires. If you're going to run very big aux lighting and the wiring will be that long then I'd advise finding a similar connector with 14 ga wiring, at least. And yes, always use a relay instead of running that amperage through a switch.