I just ordered the 52” x 9” ‘reverse smile’ from Colorado Faring. I’m looking forward to installing this and reducing the noise caused by the explorer rack. Thanks to everyone for posting all the helpful advice and installation instructions!

 

Any update/experience on the relative ease of installing the Colorado Fairing with the OEM rack? The website has Defender-specific instructions and it looks relatively easy (not to mention a pretty bad *** look.) The noise at higher speeds is an issue for me but this looks to be the 90% cure.

 

Maybe helpful, maybe not. I bought the Colorado Fairing and had Archie from Colorado Fairing install it. It took 10 minutes tops. He walked me through it after, seemed very simple.

 

I still wish that someone made a clear version that we could put a Rack mounted lightbar behind…

 

Wow, 10 minutes? The nice fellow I was corresponding with at Colorado told me to follow the instructions posted on this forum which involved cutting slits in factory air dam or at least holes and bending brackets. Lot more than 10 minutes. What was your process?

 

Literally 10 minutes. Message me. I should've recorded it.

 

Agreed! It is the “cutting” that has stopped me from purchasing one. Now we don’t have to cut?

 

Sanfermin13, important that I understand this installation "in 10 minutes" (which is likely attributable to Archie's experience and product knowledge) because an identical fairing in black has been ordered and on its way within t2 weeks. I'm in PA so getting to Archie ain't happening. Even the Colorado Fairing Website says this (under "Special Instructions" for Defenders):

Land Rover Defender Customers with OEM Rack

Step 1

Mount the brackets to your fairing and center the fairing on your roof so you can mark where the brackets will need to go through the metal air dam on the front bottom portion of the rack. You will have to use a dremel or other tool to cut two slots in the front air dam so the mounting brackets can slide through. Once this is done slide the brackets through the slots and secure on the other side with a bolt and locking nut or an L bracket that would need to be bolted to the air dam as well.

 

Here are some pics. You can see the big difference vs previous installs. The brackets are attached to the top of the rack vs through it. Not as aesthetically pleasing, but not noticeable to most I'm thinking.



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Hugely helpful! Thank you.