How to Install a Roof Rack on the BYD Leopard 5 (Step-by-Step DIY Guide)

 
Got a BYD Leopard 5 -- or a Denza B5, depending on your market -- and ready to turn it into a proper overlanding rig? The single best mod you can make after swapping to all-terrain tires is a full roof luggage platform. It unlocks roof-top tents, extra cargo, recovery gear, and everything else you need when the pavement ends.

The best part? No drilling. No permanent mods. Two people and an afternoon.

Below is the complete BYD Leopard 5 roof rack installation walkthrough, based on the official installation video from Maremlyn (Guangzhou Yangdugang Auto Accessories). Let's get into it.

The Kit: Maremlyn 4mm Roof Luggage Rack

This rack is designed specifically for the Fangchengbao Leopard 5 / Denza B5 platform. Here is what you are working with:

What You Will Need

• Ratchet wrench + metric socket set
• Torque wrench (do not skip this)
• Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers

A second person

• -- the platform is too heavy and bulky to solo-lift safely

Time: 60-90 minutes for two people.

The Installation: 12 Steps

1. Remove Factory Hardware

Take off the factory iron bar and five screws from the windshield frame. Save the screws -- you will reuse them in Step 3.

2. Mount Windshield Brackets

Position the front brackets on the windshield frame. Finger-tighten all screws first, align, then torque down.

3. Install Lower Frame Brackets

Move to the rear roof section. Bolt the bottom brackets using the original factory screws from Step 1.

4. Apply Rubber Pads

Stick one rubber pad on each corner of the windshield bracket (8 total). These kill vibration and protect your paint.

5. Assemble Support Brackets

Put each support bracket together loosely. Leave the bolts loose for now -- you will need the wiggle room in Step 6.

6. Clamp Brackets to Factory Roof Rails

Slide each bracket onto the Leopard 5's factory roof rails. Space them evenly across both sides, then lock the clamps.

7. Lift the Platform On (Two-Person Job)

One person on each side. Lift the 25 kg platform onto the brackets. Communicate clearly. Do not rush this.

8. Insert T-Screws

From underneath, push the T-screws up through the platform's bottom slots. Line each pair up with the bracket holes.

9. Add Gaskets + Nuts (Hand-Tighten Only)

Slide on washers, thread on nuts, tighten by hand. Do not wrench them down yet. You need the slack to adjust alignment.

10. Repeat for Every Bracket

Work around the vehicle. Same method, every mounting point. No skipping -- each bracket carries load.

11. Align, Then Torque Everything

Walk around. Check the platform sits level with even overhang on both sides. No contact with the roof. Once aligned, torque every bolt to spec.

12. Final Shake Test

Grab the rack and shake it hard. Zero play. Open all doors, the tailgate, the sunroof. Take a low-speed lap around the block. No rattles, no whistles. Done.

FAQ: What Most Leopard 5 Owners Ask

Can I install this roof rack alone? No -- and do not try. The platform weighs ~25 kg and spans over 2 meters. You need a second person for Step 7. Everything else is solo-friendly.

Does this require drilling into my Leopard 5? Zero drilling. The rack bolts onto existing factory mounting points. Completely reversible.

How long does the install take? 60-90 minutes with two people and basic tools. First-timers: budget 90 minutes.

Will it kill my electric range? Expect a 5-10% range drop at highway speeds when fully loaded. An empty rack has minimal impact. A wind fairing helps noticeably with both noise and efficiency.

What is the roof load rating? Aftermarket platforms are rated for 150-300 kg static load. Always check your owner's manual for the dynamic roof rating -- exceeding it affects handling and braking.

Pro Tips (Straight from the Manufacturer)

Re-torque after 500 km.

• Off-road vibration loosens bolts faster than you think.

Get the wind fairing.

• It cuts wind noise dramatically and helps range.

Balance your load.

• Uneven cargo = uneven tire wear and body roll.

Coastal owner?

• Anti-corrosion spray on bolt threads every 6 months.

Pre-trip bolt check.

• 5 minutes before you leave saves hours of roadside headache.

Where to Buy

Guangzhou Yangdugang Auto Accessories (Maremlyn)

• -- Please visit our official website www.ydgauto.com to contact us and purchase.

Always confirm the kit includes all mounting hardware before ordering.

Bottom Line

If your Leopard 5 stays on pavement, skip it. But if you bought this thing for what it is built to do -- off-road trips, camping weekends, multi-day expeditions -- a bolt-on roof platform is the single most practical upgrade you can make.

No drilling. Fully reversible. Under two hours. Two people. That is it.

Go build your rig.