Guide wires?

  • HTML tutorial

Ferd F-150 (Andrew)

Rank I
Launch Member

Contributor I

233
nearest city is Saint John
Member #

2619

Hey everyone. Hope everybody is having a safe snow season so far.
Here's my question..... I see a few rigs with "guide wires"? These wires are connected from top of a grille gaurd (sometimes hood) to the roof. Name of such wires? Purpose? please fellow overlanders, educated me. TIA
 

goleee33

Rank V
Launch Member

Advocate III

1,653
Tustin, CA
Member #

2079

Hey everyone. Hope everybody is having a safe snow season so far.
Here's my question..... I see a few rigs with "guide wires"? These wires are connected from top of a grille gaurd (sometimes hood) to the roof. Name of such wires? Purpose? please fellow overlanders, educated me. TIA
Edit: They are called limb RISERS. Not savers.
I can't remember the exact technical term for them, something like limb savers. I believe they are used to guide branches out of the way from getting hung up on the windshield.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ferd F-150 (Andrew)

VCeXpedition

Rank V
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

2,932
Pleasant View, UT, USA
First Name
Dan
Last Name
Rich
Member #

0582

Ham/GMRS Callsign
K6DHR
These are called Limb Risers, purpose is to deflect branches away from your windshield
Here's Michael's video as a How-To: https://www.overlandbound.com/make-your-own-limb-risers/

When installing them, a top-tip is to make sure you can still open your hood without removing the limb-risers!


If you need them to stabilize your roof rack, you may be doing something wrong :blush:


Dan.
 

First State Overland

Rank V
Launch Member

Influencer II

2,592
Delaware
Member #

504

On this note, and I'm not attacking others' builds, I do often wonder when I see limb risers on a rig with a big old snorkel that sticks up above them with the "ram" air prefilter that turns it into a hook. I'm picturing a branch being lifted up by the riser, being hooked by the snorkel and ripping the snorkel off?
 

Ferd F-150 (Andrew)

Rank I
Launch Member

Contributor I

233
nearest city is Saint John
Member #

2619

On this note, and I'm not attacking others' builds, I do often wonder when I see limb risers on a rig with a big old snorkel that sticks up above them with the "ram" air prefilter that turns it into a hook. I'm picturing a branch being lifted up by the riser, being hooked by the snorkel and ripping the snorkel off?
Good point. I hadn't thought of that. but thinking about it, I've seen it aswell. I, myself , think that the wires would be distracting , and in the way of working in the engine bay. I could see possible retractable/removable wires, that you lock in place when you may need them. but nothing permanent .
 

First State Overland

Rank V
Launch Member

Influencer II

2,592
Delaware
Member #

504

Good point. I hadn't thought of that. but thinking about it, I've seen it aswell. I, myself , think that the wires would be distracting , and in the way of working in the engine bay. I could see possible retractable/removable wires, that you lock in place when you may need them. but nothing permanent .
Luckily on my JK, they bolt to the hood latch clamps, so when you raise the hood, the risers go to. Nothing gets in the way. I don't notice them driving at all anymore. But I know many who run them from bumper bars. Some kits that you buy have quick detach options which make the process effortless. And also inviting for thieves if you leave them on. You can see in the image below where they connect.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: RideFlyDiveJeep

Michael

Rank IX
Staff member
Founder 500
Member

Benefactor

15,584
Auburn, California, United States
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Murguia
Member #

0000

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KM6YSL
A couple points:
  1. Leading branches up under your snorkel isn't great, but if the branches are riding up, they are often the little guys, so it's ok. Mine happen to go up above the snorkel, which is good.
  2. Don't underestimate the strength required by the attach points, and the gauge of wire required. It takes a lot of tension and strength to do the job. My internal dia. Is 3/16 stainless wire. The front attach point is the ARB, and the rear (weakest) is the Gobi roof rack.
M
 
Last edited by a moderator:

First State Overland

Rank V
Launch Member

Influencer II

2,592
Delaware
Member #

504

A couple points:
  1. Leading branches up under your snorkel isn't great, but if the branches are riding up, they are often the little guys, so it's ok. Mine happen to go up above the snorkel, which is good.
  2. Don't underestimate the strength required by the attach points, and the gauge of wire required. It takes a lot of tension and strength to do the job. My internal dia. Is 3/16 stainless wire. The front attach point is the ARB, and the rear (weakest) is the Goni roof rack.
M
Point number 2 is key. There's no way I would put limb risers on a JKU WITHOUT having reinforced hood latches. The OEM parts would snap that plastic latch off and roll your hood back in a heartbeat. Personally, I've run into pushing branches up only to have them hit my awning and be pushed right back down the side. So instead of a straight pinstrip, you get a nice wave. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glenn and Michael

9Mike2

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,741
Garden Grove, California
Member #

2706

Yeah, It only took one windshield and I got the Limb lifters too...

A lot of the people I know with snorkels, get the Prefilter which look like a dome on the end of the snorkel and run their Limb Lifter to just above it....
 
Last edited: