Roof Rack Selection and DIY/Non-factory Accessories

Hello All,

I know this has probably been beaten more than a dead horse, but for months I've been reading and researching roof racks for my 2017 TRD Pro. I have narrowed my choices down to Gobi or Prinsu, but am not committed to ether one. Ideally there would be no wait time, but provided I find a rack that meets all of my criteria and is reasonably priced, I can wait.

Secondly, there are a number of accessories or options I would like to add to my rack. Some must haves, others just wants.

I'm hoping everyone can weigh-in and help give me the push to pull the trigger, while also providing some insight on ways to do things better, easier, cheaper, myself.

Must Haves:
No drill installation
Ability to support a roof top tent
Ability to add a rear hatch ladder
Ability to for sunroof not to be covered (either by design or by removing/not installing cross members)

Wants:
Ability to attach lockable storage (somewhere to store light tools, jump cables, etc, Gobi makes storage that fits directly into their rack)
Ability or options to add lights (40" light bar in front, and/or side lights - both Gobi and Prinsu offer "factory" mounts and lights compatible with their racks)

Style-wise I'm fan of the Gobi. Something about the tubular design works for me. I also like the concept of "basket-style" that the Gobi has going for it. It makes me feel like cargo would be more secure/protected from wind.

All of that being said, feel free to weigh-in. I've read many of the threads on this subject already and still remain in a deadlock.

I'll also need someone to explain to me how/what I need to hook up all these lights once I make a decision.....

 

self bump

 

I went with a Victory 4x4 rack. Crossbeams are standard industrial 80/20 and not proprietary. You can go to 80/20.net to see what this stuff is if you are not familiar with it. As a result, all kinds of mounting plates, brackets, bolts, etc. are all readily available for easy DIY upgrades and accessories.

 

It looks like they have some really cool options, affordable too.

I'm trying to find some pictures of a 4Runner with the light bar cut-out but I'm mostly just seeing it on Tacomas.

 

I have the cutout, but unfortunately the rack is not installed at moment as transferring it from 14 to my 21. I should be installing it this week.

I think there is a thread on the other forum for this rack and you may find pic there.

 

Finally reinstalled. Light bar is 30”

 

I'd challenge your list of needs and wants. All of them (minus the light bar) can be met with your factory rack, a cargo box, and a nice ground tent.

Must Haves:

1. No drill installation ✓
2. Ability to support a roof top tent ✓ (ground tent is cheaper, lighter, simpler, better on MPG, you can take it out of the truck easily unlike RTTs that weigh hundreds of pounds, and leave camp without breaking it down)
3. Ability to add a rear hatch ladder ✓ (you don't need one)
4. Ability to for sunroof not to be covered (either by design or by removing/not installing cross members) ✓

Wants:

1. Ability to attach lockable storage (somewhere to store light tools, jump cables, etc, Gobi makes storage that fits directly into their rack) ✓ cargo boxes are lockable, weatherproof, aerodynamic, and easily removable when you don't need it.
2. Ability or options to add lights (40" light bar in front, and/or side lights - both Gobi and Prinsu offer "factory" mounts and lights compatible with their racks) ✖ I'd reconsider the light bar on the roof. Looks cool but unless you get one with good optics, you'll glare all over your hood and end up blinding yourself. Consider adding a bar or pair of auxiliary driving lamps to the front grill.

I guess the only thing you miss out on is cool overlanding points.

- Sincerely, a guy with a "cool" roof rack that ended up bolting a cargo box to it because it takes care of 99% of things.

 

I have the Gobi roof rack... I was going to change over to the Westcott Design roof rack but couldn’t find a buyer to make it an even trade. So I am keeping the Gobi but thought I would throw the Wescott Design one out there.

 

The Victory Rack does like nice.

This is actually what I've been thinking for a few days. I have been looking at the C4 Low-pro bumper which has a cut-out for a light bar. For my typical use, I probably don't need to go crazy with my light set-up. Most of the time it will just be my daily driver. The Gobi cargo boxes are really appealing to me, but I figure there have to be other options.

 

Just got a new 20214R. I have 40 plus years of Yakima stuff that what to do was a no brainer. Got Yakima Towers for 4R side rails. Have skis, surfboards, bicycles, fly rods, kayaks, rectangular box thing and whatever that long closed carrier thing is called.

 

I bought my 4Runner this year and was eager to get a full length roof rack. After much consideration of use cases, I decided on Thule cross cars and towers. Number 1 reason...Im going to be using a cargo box in 90% of my trips and every roof rack I was looking had had the same disadvantage - on the Yakima box the claw thingy that cinches to the bars would always hit the roof or the u-bolt thingies to attach a box to the racks ended up way too close for my liking to the roof top. I didnt want to risk wrecking the roof or the paint. Plus, I wasnt interested in a RTT, so....