I just picked up 4 PIAA's for the Gobi. I'd like to perform a clean install, i.e. no wires coming through the doors etc.

With the stock roof rack this is fairly simple, I'm told, in that you drill through under the roof rack feet, insert a rubber grommet, seal with silicone and then reinstall the stock roof rack.

The Gobi mounts differently, and I'm not positive that will be an option.

I'm looking for some input from people who have installed roof lights for use with Gobi (or similar) racks, and have done it clean. Pictures would be nice, since I'm retarded, or rather, "visually kinesthetic" and need to see how something works in order to grasp it.

I used a rubber grommet but no silicone.. Zero leaks... ran my wires down the post.. under the dash.. I hate to see wires Im with ya there... Its lazy really..

Id love to see what the rack mounts are like... I have the stock rack.. do a write up on the rack install... Ill be buying one soon :)

Yes, I figure I'll do a writeup but there's a fairly decent one here:

http://www.xterraownersclub.com/reviews/gobi.html


I think I can figure out the wiring between the built-in wiring in the Gobi and the lights, I'm ust not sure how to go about punching through the roof. I'm actually tempted to take it to a place in town that does ambulances and other EMS vehicles because I want it PERFECT.

Sorry, another question to post here while I'm at it - does anyone have a Gobi on a Gen1 who can measure the distance between the floor of the rack and the roof of the truck at the center?

IE - If you have a sunroof, can you still open it...

I haven't seen how the Gobi (or any other) aftermarket rack mounts, but I assume there's got to be some part of it that is shaped similarly enough to the OEM mount that you could just borrow the method. I did, however, check out the pics in the write up you linked, and the bracket that mounts to the roof goes right over the "gutter"; which is where I chose to drill through my roof.

I removed my OEM rack, and (very apprehensively) drilled a hole through the roof underneath the front passenger "foot" of the mount. (I also drilled a hole through the headliner, because I didn't notice that it slipped back into place after pulling it down to avoid just such an event. D'oh!!)

After stuffing a grommet into the hole, and running all the wires through, I sealed the entire area with silicone sealant. So far so good, haven't had any leaks; despite the hole being right in the middle of the gutter.

From there I ran the wires down the A-Pillar and behind the glove box, through the hole in the firewall and along the inner fender to the battery.

Of course, this was done before I decided to photo-document everything, so I don't have pics of the process.

It's really not a hard thing to do, I can't imagine doing so with your Gobi should be different enough that it would add a level of difficulty.

Good luck, and take pictures!

I used a cord grip from http://www.mcmaster.com/#cord-grips/=99m18j , part # 7091K19 IIRC, the 3 holes were sized for 10 gauge wire, 2 power and 1 ground. Mines under the stock air damn, but you could put it anywhere that is convenient to wire routing. It goes through the roof with an o-ring seal, and a locknut from the inside keeps it on. The cap on top tightens down to tighten the bit around the wires to keep them sealed

Thats ingenious!

I'm lazy I just wired it down the door.
You can actually see 3 wires running from the side of the sunroof to the top of the door.
It kinda sucks. I might eventually rewire it, but it works and I have other things to worry about.

I have mine running between the weather stripping and door frame. YOu can only see a small amount of wiring which I covered with black wire loom. I know this isn't the set up you are looking for but I thought I'd throw it out there as an option...

My rear lights are currently run that way. I'm hoping to get rid of any wires running through the doors.