Surf Rack Repair

I've had a Thule rack on most of the vehicles I've owned since I graduated from undergrad (almost 30 years).  This last set I bought for the Ridgeline has been showing signs of the rubber coating on the clamp/foot coming off.  Well - the signs weren't wrong.  The coating just peeled off.

I cleaned them off with the Dremel and sprayed them with black Plasti-Spray.  They look like new - but time will tell if the plasti-coat will stand up to the road.

I started with the backs because they were pretty much shredded.  I'll reinstall these and see how they hold up for a few weeks.

Logo Sticker

I found a friend that had a cut vinyl sticker making machine and I asked her to make a run of logo stickers.

Here's one on the surf mobile

And here's another on our cooler.  I'll take pictures in the sunlight tomorrow.

Last Post on the Ridgeline (by itself)

I'm done outfitting this vehicle for now.  Thule Racks on top, 3M self-healing laminate on the typical wear spots, Romik Running Boards, ceramic tint, rubber mats on the inside and all manner of straps and cargo ratchets to tie loads down.

Now it's time to see how many boards I can load up at once, haul rocks and elephant poop (fertilizer) back to the house, and go fishing!  Our first tow is tomorrow after the kids sail in a regatta - looking forward to having a proper truck again!

Running Boards on and Adjusted

I've been taking the truck back and forth to the dealer and the tinting shop to get detail stuff taken care of, so I haven't actually got the surf mobile put together yet, but yesterday I did get the runnign boards adjusted to the full outward position.  I definitely like these bars a lot better than the options from Honda.

For sure the feel on the Ridgeline is different than the Tacoma.  The Taco was definitely taller at the nerf bar and the cabin step in, but I don't miss that - I think it will just take a bit of time to have the change become the new norm.

I plan on reinstalling the roof racks later today and taking this setup out for a spin with the longboards tomorrow morning!

Just About Done Outfitting the Ridgeline

I ordered a set of running boards for the Ridgeline.  They came in yesterday afternoon save and sound.  I on the otherhand got caught up in some particularly nasty traffic and didn't get home until late afternoon.  I still set out to get the running boards mounted.

They were pretty easy to install.  These will make loading and unloading the surf racks a lot easier.  The door sills seemed a little bit drawn inward - to the point where loading the racks made you feel like you were leaning backwards.  I'll get the racks re-installed later today and take a picture with just about all the aftermarket adds installed.  I'm happy with the level of protection this vehicle has from scratches, salt spray and UV/IR radiation.