LFD Crossbars on stock roof rails?

So came across the LFD Crossbars. You can put them on the stock roof rails. They look pretty decent. I’m looking for a roof rack. Though my 4Runner is 2 weeks old. Not sure I want to completely start taking parts off and do a big upgrade jus yet. Thought these bars would be a nice middle ground for now. You can always later on buy the complete roof system reuse the same crossbars. Anyone tried these or have any info on them? Thanks.

 

Do a search - these have been talked about extensively on this forum. If you plan to actually use your roof rack, they are a reasonably priced, excellent alternative to a full rack.

 

I have not seen or heard of those. However I bought an rci roof rack for my wife’s 4runner and my Tacoma. Haven’t installed on the 4runner yet but on my Tacoma. Very happy with the product. They’re no drill and no silicone as well.

I’d just buy an actual roof rack. Rather than spending the money on this and then a roof rack at a later time.

correct me if I’m wrong but it looks like these are 85 a rail. So you’re looking at roughly 400-500 dollars. I’d just spend the extra now.


https://rcimetalworks.com/https:/rcimetalworks.com/full-length-roof-rack-10-present-4runner/

They’re having a 15% off sale as well.

 

The whole LFD system is 329. Also include the front wind deflector.

 

gotcha. I’d still just get a full rack. Seems like you are going to eventually. Dave the 330 now. Just my two cents.

 

I have them and I really like them.

 

I have them too, and it works great for my needs

 

Nicely built, I installed a pair of the stainless on mine. But the edge of the front bar, which also serves as s wind deflector, bottomed out on the roof. I returned them because of this.

Apparently, they dont touch everyone’s roof. There seems to be some dimensional variability in the vehicles or the crossbars themselves that can have them touch the paint on some 4runners

 

Just throwing this out there: Victory4x4 also makes crossbars that fit the stock 4Runner rails. They are lower profile, for better or worse.

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I installed a strip of Clear Bra PPF wear the wind fairing is just to make sure that wouldn’t happen. LFD Off-road actually recommends this in the install instructions. For what I use them for I think they’re a great product.

 

It’s good they recommending protecting the paint, because somebody posted they had tiny bit of clearance….until they took it to highway speeds for the first time. Then the sheet steel got sucked up and it did a weird flutter and kinda jackhammered a bit an took his paint off. In my case, it was touching while sitting still.

LFD told me to use the rubber stripping to protect the paint, but the stripping is thick enough that it would have meant I would have needed to push the sheet metal down to accommodate it.

LFD bars are nice because they work well with stock rails, are not low-profile (which means they’re usable), and they are stout. The stainless option is awesome. But I would recommend getting two regular bars and dealing with possible wind noise.

 

I tried them, the wind noise was ridiculous. I have heard they have been reworked a bit for that reason since I owned them, and I also wasn't using a spoiler... but I wouldn't try them again.

 

I have Zero wind noise but than again my tires hum when I’m on the road so maybe that’s why I don’t notice any noise coming from the rack.
I did also use the rubber that LFD provides for the wind fairing. Maybe it’s just a vehicle by vehicle kind of issue. I have no issues with it so far. I will be using mine to carry a Hi Lift Jack, traction boards and a box with recovery gear, nothing too crazy.

 

Yeah mine was so bad that it sounded like the rear window was down and a semi on mud tires was up my ass. Not the kind of noise you could tune out. But again I bought mine several years ago and I think they were reengineered subsequent to my purchase. I like the general idea of them.

 

I have them and very much like them. No clearance issues for me.

 

I looked at all the options first and really like the sturdy construction and no bullshit design.

No clearance/fluttering issues with mine and I've limit tested that claim at speed

Have also limit tested them at weight. All good.

At some point I might opt for the full length side rails. I like that they offer this modular approach so you can upgrade as needed without throwing your old kit away and starting over.

Jason

 

You're getting dangerously close to Jed Clampett territory, carrying all that stuff...


J/K It's great to see you're getting a lot of family trip use out of your truck.

 

Hmmm, I wonder who makes that skillet/pan mount. The oil lantern mount is pretty dope too.

 

I had these crossbars and they were a great stop gap before I got their 3/4 rack. They are amazing and a huge upgrade over stock. Zero wind noise and zero clearance issues

 

Is one of yours the fairing version?

 

Yes, it was. However when I went to the 3/4 rack, that was the only crossbar that wasn’t compatible.

 

Why is that? Wouldn't you want a fairing crossbar on the front of the 3/4 rack? Or does LFD have some other fairing setup on their complete rack system?

 

The racks use a different fairing as the length is different that using the OEM rack. When you are ordering the rack, it gives you the option to include the rack fairing.

 

I like the LFD crossbars and fairing. Well made, and super solid. I wrote this article for Trail4Runner.com, which has many pics and a fair amount of info, including installation details:

https://trail4runner.com/2020/01/23/lfd-off-road-ruggedized-crossbars-5th-gen-4runner/

 

Anyone who has this rack can you comment on if you use a cargo box Thule or Yakima skybox) with it? I’m trying to figure out if the clamps will fit around the crossbars. Other rack options are too low profile. Thx!

 

I tried to put my Thule box on top (has flat steel scissor-like connectors with a knob inside the box) and it did NOT work with these crossbars.

The box is pretty old and beat anyway so I decided to retire it.

Had considered changing the mounting mechanism to allow through-bolts but decided it wasn't worth the effort in my case.

Jason

 

Thank you for the info Jason! This is what I’ve been finding with many aftermarket racks/ crossbars. Still hoping there’s one out there that will work.

 

Travelers won't make it across the National Road without having ready access to a bone saw and a paisley dress; the sort of quick deployment only a MOLLE rack from St Joseph Overland can provide.

 

Have a look .

 

This is great info thank u! Sounds like my Thule box might work, even with the wind fairing from LFD.
I also got a response from LFD, saying their crossbars would indeed work with the Thule cargo box.
I think this might be the way to go! Prinsu, front runner are both out unfortunately. I never got a response from Victory and haven’t seen any info on if it will work.