Need some Roof Rack Advice

Victory, instructions were simple. No drilling. Things solid and quiet at highway speeds. Also tons of accessories.

 

Gobi is overrated, expensive and heavy. Go with a cnc rack like sherpa or prinsu, love my sherpa crestone.

 

I’d get a flat rack and pick up a basket you can attach if needed.

 

I had mine powder coated in red, if that's interesting to you...

 

I had a Gobi on my JK Wrangler. Has its pro's and con's, adds a lot of weight up top, but is solid AF. The key is to evaluate your needs. For me, strength to weight and being able to fit in the garage really mattered, so I got the Sherpa. Plus, customer service between Sherpa and Gobi is night and day. The Gobi team might be great people, but, Sherpa wins hands down for customer service. Responsive, friendly, and seem to have figured out how to manage their business.

 

Like the basket idea but not sure if I wanna go that route.

Looks very nice. Great color combo.

After reading about roof racks now for a good week, I think I might go with Westcott Design. The ability to change it to a basket style plus eventually adding the floor plates in it sold it to me. Customer service was great so far

 

Westcott looks very similar to the Sherpa, and I like their floor plates, but the Sherpa had one thing the Westcott doesn't. The crossbars have mounting slots instead of fixed mounting holes. That means two things: I can put the crossbars where they work for *me*; and I can have extra bars under the floor plates for when I stand up there and use it as a photo platform. The Sherpa floor plates are a little different, but similar idea. Also, the floor plates are sold individually, so, I don't have to pay for a full length floor when I'm only covering from the sunroof back.

Either way, there are a lot of great choices out there. Good luck!

 

Didn't even know Sherpa has floor plates..I must be blind. Will check it out and thanks for the info.

 

I paid $174 for a Rola Rack from Amazon. Had it bed lined. Been on the truck three years, used all the time in the warmer months, still holding up well. I took the idea from a member on one of these forums who did something similar.

I found mounts online that allow it to sit lower, shark fin antenna not an issue either.

 

Striking! I dig it.

 

I've had my Rola about 3 years now and recommend it. Question for Matt83: Where did you get the traction board mounts? I need a pair...Thanks

 

Yeah, the only problem is in a small town, where every 4R is white, everyone remembers the white one with the red rack. Have to be a super considerate driver!

 

True dat. Can't be "that guy".

 

https://www.gzila.com/collections/recovery-board-mounts

 

I’m diggin your Rola setup. Would like to know more about your awning choice and mounting clamps.

 

I went with RCI. It’s no drill and no silicone. I have one on my Tacoma and going to be installing the one on the 4runner soon. It’s been sitting in the garage. Pictures are not of my 4runner just for example.

 

I just saw that mod and have the Rola in my Amazon cart. After a long debate, with myself, I think that is just the best option for my needs and I can spend the money on some new wheels. Thanks fir bringing this up sir.

 

The brackets and clamps for the awning were from FourTreks, http://fourtreks.com/modular_awning_mounts.html
I actually had the setup from an older Safety Devices rack on a Land Rover and when I moved it over to the Runner I just ordered new clamps for the larger Rola side rails. But GZila makes nice awning mounts as well.

The awning is an ARB2000. I also have the corresponding room which is necessary for black fly season here. I like it but prefer the older ARB awning I had without the LED light kit in the center, I feel it makes it slightly more challenging to get the awning nice and tight around the side poles. I also would have liked an ARB2500 but the 2000 sticks out far enough (forward) from the rack which I think looks a little strange. If I ever went to a full length rack, which I do not plan on doing....it would be to mount the larger awning. There is very sight play in the forward portion of the awning at high way speed but it is not noticeable in the truck, sight or sound. I did tape off the front of the mounting rails to solve a whistle that occurred above 45 mph or so.

Here are the brackets: https://www.4xinnovations.com/03-20-4Runner-Rola-Rack-Mount-Kit_p_43.html

I would recommend sealing the Rola rack once put together, give the seams a round of sealant. When I had mine coated I also tape off a small portion where the U-Bolts attach as the bed liner would have added to much thickness to the tube diameter.

 

Thanks man. Everything has been ordered and will follow the guidance of a few members to install it the right way.

 

Hi Matt. Nice set-up. I’d always thought I’d end up with a Gobi rack, but your rig has me re-thinking. A full-length roof rack is a commitment, but yours can be easily removed if need be, which is great. A couple of questions please:

In the top photo, how is the Plano box anchored? And which Plano box is it?

In the next photo, what is the tank on the rack?

You mention that you wish you had the longer awning. Did you consider getting the extension segment for the Rola rack, and if so why did you reject the idea?

Thanks in advance.

 

1. Stainless U-Bolts. Rubber washers inside Pano box, I have no water intrusion. Case is:

$105 Plano All Weather 42” Tactical Gun Case with Wheels, Black with Pluck-to-Fit Foam, Watertight & Dust-Proof Shield Protection, TSA Airline Approved for Travel

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B7SB486?ie=UTF8

2. WaterPort, provides pressurized water....rinsing the dog or doing dishes. I have a hitch mount for it as well but keeping it back there it gets covered in dust from logging roads. Depending where I am going and how full the truck is....I normally keep it in the back and an ARB dry bag on top.

https://thewaterport.com/product/day-tank/

3. The Rola rack is heavy. I did not want that weight hanging in front of the stock side rails and dont like the look. People have mounted it on the 4Runner roof though. If I ever went with an ARB2500 awning I would buy a full length rack that has you pull the stock rails, Gobi etc.....but this rack does everything I need at a fraction of the cost.

 

Thanks for your reply. It’s a great setup.

The only reason I would opt for a full length rack is that I’m considering an Oz Tent and when packed they are looong.

I have some thinking to do.

 

I went with RCI adorned with a Westcott ladder. Very happy with both. Also have full RCI Armor and rock sliders. When I did my research, it was between RCI and another brand, and I chose RCI because it was in my state and not too long a drive. Look at pictures and weights and options....hard to go wrong today, especially as the 5th Gen has been out for over 10 years and most of the aftermarket accessory bugs have been worked out. One thing to consider is the width---my RCI is just under 48" between the two roof rack side rails--not a big issue, but something to be aware of. Noise wise, I could barely tell the difference---we'll see if that changes when I install my 42" Diode Dynamics Light Bar--update in two weeks or so.

 

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Rola with extention and lowering kit installed. Love it and glad it saved me a good amount of money which is going towards new wheels.

 

Good looking truck. My Tacoma is BRM & I love it!

 

Thanks man. Never thought I would like that color but was impressed when I saw it and couldn't say no.

 

I second that, that red is great. Don't see very many around here in that color.

 

Just saw you are from Maine? My wife is from there and I lived in NH when I first came over from Germany.
Surprisingly, here in my area are at least 4 red onse I have seen so far and that's in the mountains...lol

 

What part of Maine?

 

I believe she grew up in Biddeford but loved also in Lyman