With a straightforward 90-minute installation process, KUAT’s machined aluminum risers provide the perfect height adjustment to accommodate oversized rooftop tents while adding useful molle panel storage space to your overlanding setup.
So you’ve bought a KUAT IBEX Bed Rack, but the roof top tent you are wanting to install is longer than your truck bed, and requires it to cantilever over the cab of your truck while avoiding your roof rack–what do you do? Luckily, KUAT has yet another solution that fits perfectly within their IBEX ecosystem.
A company that began designing tailored products for the overlanding space just a few years ago, has taken the time to go to market with these products for a singular reason, engineering perfection.
The ability to transform the height of your rack from half-cab to full-cab height without needing to purchase different products or leg heights for your bed rack is simply amazing, and begs the question, why do other companies not follow suit with their designs?
There are arguably more modular and customization options for your rig out there than ever before, but what makes KUAT’s IBEX system stand out?
Well, after 2+ years of testing, here’s why:
- Modular ecosystem and configurable heights included
- Impressive static and dynamic load capacity
- Clean modern design with seamless bike integration
- Straightforward installation utilizing premium materials
The IBEX Crossbar Riser Kit Saved the Day
After a few years of running an iKamper Skycamp Mini, I parted ways with it this Spring and have been searching for the next iteration of sleeping quarters for the truck.
In preparation for a future tent installation in the coming weeks, I needed to make my current set up compatible with a tent that has a footprint far longer than the bed of my truck.
This new tent would surely need to cantilever over the cab and clear the Front Runner roof rack that sits about 5 inches in height.
Within the IBEX ecosystem, KUAT offers their crossbar riser kit, which can provide between 2.75- and 4.5-inches of height for your bed rack. The risers are made from machined aluminum and finished in a black anodize, matching perfectly with all existing IBEX SKUs they offer.
A front molle panel is included in the kit and is installed cab-side to provide additional real estate for gear, but also acts as a rack stiffener that provides extra support for the system.
Installation In Under 90 Minutes
Prior to installing the new crossbar riser kit, taking the time to measure and mark the current crossbar location with tape prior to their removal, will undoubtedly make the installation process quicker.
After using some trusty blue painters tape to mark my locations, I removed the 90-degree supports under the crossbars that also attach to the side hoops of the bed rack.
Crossbar Riser Kit Assembly Instructions
Installing the riser mounts utilizing the provided t-nuts and M8 bolts followed by the riser towers was pretty straightforward. Using medium strength thread locker on each bolt, torque each bolt to the recommended 21Nm or 15.5 ft. lbs.
Before reinstalling the crossbars on top of the riser towers, I went ahead and installed the front molle panel cab-side so I could stand up in the bed without a crossbar in the way.
If you are installing this kit on an existing rack, it’s fairly easy to install the front molle panel first before the crossbars to ensure your width is adjusted correctly to your bed.
The panel’s added support to the bed rack and the additional storage space option is fantastic. It’s a location where I plan to mount a fire extinguisher and a small Pelican case using a small mount from The Mounting Company.
The final step was reinstalling the crossbars and adjusting their width to best match the new profile of the bed rack and to accommodate the width of the future roof top tent.
The only meticulous part of the whole installation was trying to get the t-nuts to align within the bottom t-slot of the crossbar with the new riser tower. I would advise using a drift pin to align the t-nuts with the mounting holes on the tower.
My one and only biggest gripe with the IBEX system is the lack of entry points for t-nuts in the middle of each slot on the bed rack’s mainframe. On the vertical posts this doesn’t matter, but on the horizontal t-slots that act as bed rail mounts, this becomes more glaring.
Sleek Design, Ample Strength, and Adventure Ready
After a few years with the KUAT IBEX Bed Rack, it has lived up to my expectations. The addition of the riser kit was another positive experience within the ecosystem and you can expect consistent quality in the materials, ease of installation, and the ability to customize your rack to fit your needs.With the truck prepped for my next trip, it’s now ready for the new tent installation and the adventures ahead.
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