The noticeable noise reduction and slightly improved MPG I’ve observed when carrying doors and other flat items on the roof rack is making me prioritize making a deflector to cover its grid when not in use. I have an old alumalite sign panel that’s almost long enough and plenty wide. I’m going to trim it to the right width and attach a chunk of scrap tonneau edge to the front with hinges. It will hook over the front edge of the rack and the rear will be secured to two existing eyebolts with pins or spring clips. I’ll figure out what to use to fill the gaps on the sides; maybe rubber baseboard or scrap aluminum. This piece will be gone when the more radical restructuring eliminates this roof rack, so my existing preference to reuse and repurpose materials is especially strong. This piece will also be mostly out of sight, so it can be down and dirty.
