Expedition Roof Rack + Roof Box Risers: a random find
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Rock Crawling
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 284
Likes: 134
From: Southwest
Expedition Roof Rack + Roof Box Risers: a random find
I was introduced to this nice product today: https://www.unrulymade.com/unruly-high-risers
Looks all right at first glance, then things start to emerge. The price that is a little too high for the product, the fact that it is 3D printed, the fact that should the plastic fail there will be nothing holding the crossbar from flying up (and I am sure there will be wind gusts that will create an upward force on the box once in a while - either direct, or translated from side up).
Then this comes up: https://www.reddit.com/r/NewDefender...d_rover_racks/
How do they say it, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"? The 3D print engineer that sent me this link was jumping up and down, making strange noises and pulling his hair as he was commenting on just about every line of this message (ABS/ASA? make up your mind, which is it? 200+ degrees, mind telling me which degrees?)
Then I read it down to where they started badmouthing PowerfulUK. Poorly designed? No comment 'cause I don't have it (damn the current shipping situation, I would've if I predicted I needed this). Likely made of PLA? Well, was it that hard to ask? (no, it's not, take your best guess at how I know). Highest strength, UV and temperature resistant materials available? Yeah, that's the part my fellow engineer was most vocal about (in a word, resounding "no").
Left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Shiny object, I'd have considered buying it despite reservations about plastics in Southwest sun - but that post killed all my desire to deal with this... seller, let me just leave it at that.
Looks all right at first glance, then things start to emerge. The price that is a little too high for the product, the fact that it is 3D printed, the fact that should the plastic fail there will be nothing holding the crossbar from flying up (and I am sure there will be wind gusts that will create an upward force on the box once in a while - either direct, or translated from side up).
Then this comes up: https://www.reddit.com/r/NewDefender...d_rover_racks/
How do they say it, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"? The 3D print engineer that sent me this link was jumping up and down, making strange noises and pulling his hair as he was commenting on just about every line of this message (ABS/ASA? make up your mind, which is it? 200+ degrees, mind telling me which degrees?)
Then I read it down to where they started badmouthing PowerfulUK. Poorly designed? No comment 'cause I don't have it (damn the current shipping situation, I would've if I predicted I needed this). Likely made of PLA? Well, was it that hard to ask? (no, it's not, take your best guess at how I know). Highest strength, UV and temperature resistant materials available? Yeah, that's the part my fellow engineer was most vocal about (in a word, resounding "no").
Left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Shiny object, I'd have considered buying it despite reservations about plastics in Southwest sun - but that post killed all my desire to deal with this... seller, let me just leave it at that.
TReK
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 1,977
From: Pacific NW
I have the Powerful UK version (bought it 2-3 years ago), have used them once, and they’re fine.
The biggest issue with this other offering (which looks superior in every way btw) is the price. $220 is too high for these brackets.
The biggest issue with this other offering (which looks superior in every way btw) is the price. $220 is too high for these brackets.
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Rock Crawling
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 284
Likes: 134
From: Southwest
Side note, PowerfulUK video has a long segment about how bolts can be stuck on thread lockers and can be a nightmare to unscrew - it seems to me that JLR toned down on thread lockers since (confirmed with the tailgate table installation), bolts that I had to unscrew were just as tight as I would expect them to be, if not lighter. I think I'll put a drop of a blue locker when I put things together, just to be safe. Or, find the torque specs for those bolts, but that might take more time and effort.
Absolutely. To me, though, the arguments laid out in the OP are even more important.
TReK
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 3,615
From: Kirkland WA
There is a much simpler cheaper solution to this issue. Less than $10
or you could ignore the issue and just cinch the box down. Plastic is bendy and since figuring out the simple $10 solution have not bothered.
$0
https://landroverforums.com/forum/20...x-fits-111420/
or you could ignore the issue and just cinch the box down. Plastic is bendy and since figuring out the simple $10 solution have not bothered.
$0
https://landroverforums.com/forum/20...x-fits-111420/
iClub Silver vendor
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Thank you for the feedback.
We spent countless hours considering strength, design and safety when designing the HIGH RISERS. The final shipping version is printed in ABS with Glass Filled ABS in specific areas, printing at around 175 degrees F air temp in the chamber and around 450 degrees F in the print head. We also designed the HIGH RISERS integrity far beyond any forces anticipated to be placed upon them, especially when spread across 4 sets of risers, thereby greatly reducing forces applied to each one.
Wind was actually the least of our engineering considerations and concerns, due to optimized aerodynamics of modern rooftop boxes. Vibrations, lateral forces and vertical jarring motions from on and off road conditions were our primary concern when addressing durability. The included thread lock helps guarantee that the 6mm replacement bolts stay well secured inside the stock captured nuts, when installed properly.
The backbone of the HIGH RISERS is 4x 6mm stainless steel bolts, criss-crossed in 2 axis that fully penetrate the ABS parts and reach nearly 1 inch, or 22.7mm, into each aluminum cross rail. This was done to create extra reinforcement, and the printing orientation was also considered for added strength.
ABS was chosen for it's strength, high melting point and good UV resistance. We tested ASA as well but found it did not possess as deep of blacks vs ABS. We are still looking at other sources of ASA for possible future use.
Finally, the price point reflects the high cost of engineering and design time, 18 different versions, stainless steel bolts and washers, extended print times for high density construction, power, material, thread tapping, assembly, and a little profit built in. When purchasing add-ons for a $100,000 Land Rover, HIGH RISERS are probably the least expensive cost for reliable and well designed accessories.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and we are happy to reply ASAP. We have also updated the original posting you referenced to reflect our final material choices and other concerns you addressed.
Thanks again!
UNRULY
We spent countless hours considering strength, design and safety when designing the HIGH RISERS. The final shipping version is printed in ABS with Glass Filled ABS in specific areas, printing at around 175 degrees F air temp in the chamber and around 450 degrees F in the print head. We also designed the HIGH RISERS integrity far beyond any forces anticipated to be placed upon them, especially when spread across 4 sets of risers, thereby greatly reducing forces applied to each one.
Wind was actually the least of our engineering considerations and concerns, due to optimized aerodynamics of modern rooftop boxes. Vibrations, lateral forces and vertical jarring motions from on and off road conditions were our primary concern when addressing durability. The included thread lock helps guarantee that the 6mm replacement bolts stay well secured inside the stock captured nuts, when installed properly.
The backbone of the HIGH RISERS is 4x 6mm stainless steel bolts, criss-crossed in 2 axis that fully penetrate the ABS parts and reach nearly 1 inch, or 22.7mm, into each aluminum cross rail. This was done to create extra reinforcement, and the printing orientation was also considered for added strength.
ABS was chosen for it's strength, high melting point and good UV resistance. We tested ASA as well but found it did not possess as deep of blacks vs ABS. We are still looking at other sources of ASA for possible future use.
Finally, the price point reflects the high cost of engineering and design time, 18 different versions, stainless steel bolts and washers, extended print times for high density construction, power, material, thread tapping, assembly, and a little profit built in. When purchasing add-ons for a $100,000 Land Rover, HIGH RISERS are probably the least expensive cost for reliable and well designed accessories.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and we are happy to reply ASAP. We have also updated the original posting you referenced to reflect our final material choices and other concerns you addressed.
Thanks again!
UNRULY
Last edited by UNRULY; Sep 15, 2025 at 05:09 AM.
TReK
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 1,977
From: Pacific NW
Hey that’s cool you found this discussion here ... and replied!
I’m very curious about them and love nice kit. I def appreciate the thought and materials that went into these. Great website too btw.
I will say my 3d printed (early) powerful UK ones are pretty rubbish and janky looking by comparison, although they work.
As I was reconsidering my price point comment, I did wonder if you could license these to JLR accessories directly, get them to test them, put their branding on them, turn your “little profit” into a “lot of profit” -- then the $220 price point looks cheap as chips and you have a dealer network selling them. Granted there are probably ridiculous supply chain/procurement hoops for to jump through for such an endeavor -- but -- for accessories, I think the barrier is slightly lower than a standard component. Although they may be rethinking that after the snorkel jettisoning problem which was made by a 3rd party. IDK.
Also there are some “cool” LR dealers who sell this type of stuff at their parts counter quite visibly. Non JLR parts and accessories they deem good and useful for their customers.
Also -- why the heck did / does Thule not make an accessory / adapter like this? How idiotic -- they make the roof carriers and the bars for the expedition rack. Duuhhhhhhhh... Right?
Good job bringing this to market anyways.
I’m very curious about them and love nice kit. I def appreciate the thought and materials that went into these. Great website too btw.
I will say my 3d printed (early) powerful UK ones are pretty rubbish and janky looking by comparison, although they work.
As I was reconsidering my price point comment, I did wonder if you could license these to JLR accessories directly, get them to test them, put their branding on them, turn your “little profit” into a “lot of profit” -- then the $220 price point looks cheap as chips and you have a dealer network selling them. Granted there are probably ridiculous supply chain/procurement hoops for to jump through for such an endeavor -- but -- for accessories, I think the barrier is slightly lower than a standard component. Although they may be rethinking that after the snorkel jettisoning problem which was made by a 3rd party. IDK.
Also there are some “cool” LR dealers who sell this type of stuff at their parts counter quite visibly. Non JLR parts and accessories they deem good and useful for their customers.
Also -- why the heck did / does Thule not make an accessory / adapter like this? How idiotic -- they make the roof carriers and the bars for the expedition rack. Duuhhhhhhhh... Right?
Good job bringing this to market anyways.
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