Thread: Acari Roof Top Mounting System

Acari 24" DRILL-FREE mounting system.

I was recently able to get my hands on this mounting system which attaches itself to the back of a pickup truck by unscrewing the brake light on the back of the cab, clamping into that hole, and reinstalling the light on the back of the product. This is going to save me the headache of having to pay the penalties at the end of the lease for drilling holes for a light bar on the top of the cab or having to mount it on a rack frame and still have to drill holes for the wiring. The whole system ended up costing a little over $200 which is a price I am willing to pay to save myself the headache. The best part is that at the end of my lease I can take the whole system off the truck and put it on my new one while keeping the old truck looking good as new.

On a plus side, the Acari system seems to be able to work in any application whether it be mounting warning or work lights, gps units, antennas or other equipment...

The only negative aspect I can think of is that this is a new product and is only now becoming available. You might have to search for a while to be able to find it, or do what I did and call one of the reps listed on the web site. I got mine out of Rep Services based out of Parker, Colorado. Check out their website to view pictures and applications.

http://www.acariproducts.com

Do they offer them in other finishes? I just saw a dodge ram with something similar but it was made of diamond plate.

Originally Posted by JohnMarcson

Do they offer them in other finishes? I just saw a dodge ram with something similar but it was made of diamond plate.

Not other material, no. That was mostly likely a custom product. These are quickly catching on for contractors with leased vehicles. Detroit Water just bought dozens of them.

I guess I saw a custom job.... nice concept though!

I assume it's a metal plate right? Is it aluminum? It's 24" long and how wide?

** edit**
Finally got an email back from them and see on there it's available in 24,30, 36" lengths. Anodized aluminum finish.

Just wanted to let people know that I just checked out the website again and it has been completely redone with new pictures for each vehicle, videos, etc. so you can get a much better idea of how the product works and what it could be used for. Check it out!

www.acariproducts.com

Here's one being used with a Low profile antenna and a L31 beacon on a friend's F-150.

I just found these pictures on www.plowsite.com. I wasnt sure whether or not the ACARI system would fit if there was already a pro rack/back rack on the truck, but it looks like it fits great!

Here is the thread for those who may want to check out what they are saying about it over there. Shows a Code 3 mini bar on top.

http://www.plowsite.com/showthread.php?t=113534

I sent ACARI an email a week ago and they said they should have their dodge gaskets in the next 4 weeks. Apparently they have pre-sold a lot to dodge ram owners.

Just returned from the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, IN. I was able to snap a few pictures while I was there (one from the ACARI booth and the others from the Palfinger booth).

Was quite impressed to see an ACARI mounting platform on two different work trucks in the Palfinger booth! The Palfinger reps said they would be keeping it on their display trucks at upcoming shows. (they told me the next show they are going to, but i cant recall where it is).

Just got one of these put on my work truck ('07 Dodge Dakota). As much as I am trying to like it, well, I don't. The problem with it is, the front sits about an inch higher than the rear, makes the lightbar look like it's about to fall off. I may take it back to the installer to see if they can adjust it, if not I may just have them put on some perm mount feet and drill the roof.

Originally Posted by mjw357

Just got one of these put on my work truck ('07 Dodge Dakota). As much as I am trying to like it, well, I don't. The problem with it is, the front sits about an inch higher than the rear, makes the lightbar look like it's about to fall off. I may take it back to the installer to see if they can adjust it, if not I may just have them put on some perm mount feet and drill the roof.

MJW,

I would be interested to see a picture if that is possible. The directions say that the mount should sit flat and all of the pictures on the website show it being flat, so I would imagine there must have been some sort of problem during installation. Did you try calling the installer? Hopefully you are able to resolve your issue and if you are I would be curious to hear what the problem was. Good luck.

Mine is on a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado standard cab. It appears to sit flat. My only unhappiness is that the foam seal does not totally seal the Acari to the roof.

any reports of water leaking into the cab?

Originally Posted by ofd149

any reports of water leaking into the cab?

I can't vouch for it's being watertight. My foam gasket does not appear to completely fill the gap between the mount and the cab.

I don't know how it will seal in a heavy rain. We are in a continuing drought condition. We have not had any appreciable rain since 2010. I wash my truck by hand and avoid spraying water directly at the Acari mount base.

Tilcon in CT just installed their first one (of many I imagine) on a 2006 F-250. So far the reviews from them have been great.

I can absolutely vouch for the unit being watertight. I have had my unit on my truck for almost a year now. I removed the top recently to add a work light and wanted to check the lower seal to make sure that after a year it was still watertight... I was actually pretty happy to see that there was no evidence of any water making its way into the mount.

I'm assuming this is useless for a full size lightbar? I like the idea though for mounting my antennas

It wouldnt be useless for a fullsize bar. you could run all your cabling out thru the Acari and use the standard mounts that drill into the door sills. thus saving drilling a hole in the roof.

Originally Posted by twisted_metal

It wouldnt be useless for a fullsize bar. you could run all your cabling out thru the Acari and use the standard mounts that drill into the door sills. thus saving drilling a hole in the roof.

I would not expect mine to be able to support the weight of a full size bar nor would it withstand wind loadings / drag of a full size bar.

I was wondering the same thing; about mounting a full size bar on it. It could look a little odd, but if it was stable... Do you think it might cause more twisting from wind drag than the platform was designed for?

Originally Posted by Spitzen88

I can absolutely vouch for the unit being watertight. I have had my unit on my truck for almost a year now. I removed the top recently to add a work light and wanted to check the lower seal to make sure that after a year it was still watertight... I was actually pretty happy to see that there was no evidence of any water making its way into the mount.

Just a hunch, but you're the production and marketing manager there, aren't you? I saw your posts over on plowsite.com, every post was promoting Acari. It's a cool product, but trying to pretend to be a customer isn't cool, let it stand on its own.

I would not mount a full bar to something that's only held to the roof by a couple tiny screws where the factory break light screws in.

Originally Posted by rwo978

I would not mount a full bar to something that's only held to the roof by a couple tiny screws where the factory break light screws in.

That's not how it attaches. It is held in place by a big 'tongue' for lack of a better term, that goes through the 3rd brake light hole and clamps the mount to the roof.

It is easier to understand the mounting system after viewing the installation video.

Here is the video:
Category B

Originally Posted by mjw357

That's not how it attaches. It is held in place by a big 'tongue' for lack of a better term, that goes through the 3rd brake light hole and clamps the mount to the roof.

Mmm, OK. My bad. Still don't think I'd stick a full bar up there.

Say's not rust. I see rusty screws.

Originally Posted by Retired1

Originally Posted by SireLite

Say's not rust. I see rusty screws.

Well, I prefer to refer to the 8 high-tech fasteners (AKA: screws) as 'dual tone' = black & brown.

Yes, they are rusty.

Disappointing, as this Acari is less than 6 months old, never been in a car wash &, is operated in a dry climate (only 3" of rain since last November). I thought they were black anodized, but apparently not. Looks like some black touch-up pant is needed to enhance their appearance until I can replace them.

Even though they will not become so rusted as to become structurally unsound in my lifetime, they are unsightly. When I get the spare time to do so, I will see about replacing them with stainless steel (SS) fasteners. IMHO, SS fasteners should have been used in the original manufacturing process.

Originally Posted by Retired1

Even though they will not become so rusted as to become structurally unsound in my lifetime, they are unsightly. When I get the spare time to do so, I will see about replacing them with stainless steel (SS) fasteners. IMHO, SS fasteners should have been used in the original manufacturing process.

Agreed on the stainless steel.

Originally Posted by rwo978

Agreed on the stainless steel.

The fasteners have recently been updated to annodized ones that won't rust. DO NOT use stainless screws on aluminum! The folks at Acari Engineering will replace your rusted screws at no charge with the new ones if you contact them and ask.

Originally Posted by Outsider

The fasteners have recently been updated to annodized ones that won't rust. DO NOT use stainless screws on aluminum! The folks at Acari Engineering will replace your rusted screws at no charge with the new ones if you contact them and ask.

We're a dealer for Acari and we've been having to replace some screw sets because of this. I couldn't believe they didn't think about that to begin with.

We DO have a 30" version of the product in our office here with a 44" Justice bar on it, and it looked great on the back of one of our trucks last month.