Hey from another happy new 4Runner owner

Hi all, greetings from Orange, CA. I picked up a '17 Nautical Blue TRD Off Road Premium last weekend and loving it. The slippery slide of mods and accessories began yesterday with a Thule Cargo box. Baby step, I know but a Gobi rack, 3in lift, 285/17/70's on either Method or Pro Comp wheels are soon to follow. Looking forward to the process and enjoying the results. Glad to join the 4Runners.com crew.

 

NO OFFENCE BUT I LIKE THE 3ED GEN 4RUNNERS THEY ARE THE MOST RELIABLE 4RUNNERS OUT THERE I HAVE HAD 2 MY CURRENT ONE HAS 375.000 AND RUNS PERFECT JUST HAD TO REPLACE TIMING BELT IDLER AND TENSIONER PULLEYS BALL JOINTS AND HALVE SHAFTS AS LONG AS YOU KEEP UP THE MAINTENANCE THEY WILL GO FOREVER. IT LIKE THE NEW 4RUNNERS BUT THEY RELY ON COMPUTERS TO MUCH. MORE COMPUTERS MORE PROBLEMS LARRY B

 

Looking for a car top carrier and opinions, why did you choose that one ?

 

Another question for you: Is that car top carrier attached to the OEM crossbars ?

 

Hi Harvey, the challenge for me was finding a cargo box that would work with the factory cross bars and I needed to find something quickly as I'm headed out on a weekend trip soon with 2 others in the 4R plus a large dog and luggage. I researched the heck out of this but there really wasn't very much accurate info available. For instance, if you look at Thule boxes online, you'd find info that said the only box that worked on the '17 4R was their Sidekick. I wanted something with more capacity so that wasn't a good option for me. I decided to find a brick and mortar store so I could see and touch the products so went to a local REI and looked at both Thule and Yakima. That made me decide on Thule and specifically the Motion line as it seemed more robust. I liked the locking mechanism better as well. The next step was to see if it would fit. There are two issues -- front clearance (distance from the middle of the front cross bar to the back edge of the roof before the tailgate gap) and would it clear the satellite radio antenna. Those questions were answered by an REI staff person with cargo box experience. He said the Motion XL would fit and came out to my 4R with a tape measure to be sure. He also said that he would help me put it on the roof and show me how to mount it so I wouldn't have to pay and install fee. That would also allow me to be sure it fit without any issues -- hitting the tailgate when it is up and clearing the antenna. Long story short it fit perfectly so I am happy with the purchase. It is a good fit, functions well and looks good, imho. Hope that helps.

 

Yes, it attaches to the OEM crossbars. The front bar needs to be moved to the frontmost position and the rear bar positioned accordingly.

 

Welcome aboard. Love the colour! And don't worry about the computers. Our '16 SR5 Canadian Trail has performed beautifully since we got it and, if the computers give us a problem, it'll be the dealer's worry. - Cheers, Ted

 

there you go. LARRY B

 

Sorry but one more question: How much gap is there between the bottom of the carrier clamps and the top of the roof's painted surface ? Thanks for the info !

 

What roof rack is that? Name of the box?

 

What's funny about this is that I went to a rei store also and they told me myself that nothing fits lol.. I attempted to have them try it by no dice.. thank you for the pic

 

Also motion xt l? I tried looking for this.. and thank you so much I've been waiting for someone to get one.. are u also a home owner to keep this in storage?

 

I bet they were reading what is online from Thule. When I started looking at the Front Clearance requirements in their big product catalog I saw a couple boxes that were right on or close to the limits -- Hyper and Motion so that didn't jibe with what I could find online. That's when I thought that maybe it was the satellite antenna that was the problem since it is taller than the top of the crossbar. A workaround for that and to give more front clearance was to use the Thule crossbars which gave a bit more Front Clearance and since they mounted to the top of the rails, would have made more room for the antenna. That's when finding the "right" REI person with experience made the difference. Not having to buy Thule crossbars and towers saved me about $450 and the box sits a lot closer to the roof on the OEM bars so looks better and is more aerodynamic. Couldn't be happier with the customer service REI gave me -- love the box too.

 

Thule Motion XL mounted on the OEM crossbars.

 

It comes up as Motion XT size XL

 

Again thank you for the post I saved it because I've been searching since I got my runner and none of the Rei boy want to make me try.. I should bet them cash for it and I'll probably end up winnng.. did y move the cross bars? Or left it where it is stock?

 

I love the color of your Runner. I also got the Thule Motion Xt on mine. I love to see another Runner using them.

 

Did you attach to the standard crossbars ?

 

Yes. I attached the cargo box to the standard crossbar.

 

Thanks! Your 4R looks great too and I'm glad to see someone else figured out that a Thule Motion XT XL works on our rigs. All the online info said nothing would fit - sure had to be persistent to find out that wasn't true!

 

Can you confirm if the box is the 1600 L or the 1800 XL? Thule Motion xt comes in three sizes, thanks.

 

Motion XT 1800 XL, the 1600 L is a bit small. The ideal one is the 1800 XL.

 

Thank you all for posting, wanted a ski box w/ out buying cross bars. New owner and wanted something that would not add so much height to vehicle. Will advise when I get it. Motion XL 1800

 

First off, thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and experience on this thread. I have two questions for 5th gen 4runner owners using a Thule Motion XT box on factory/oem crosshairs:

1. Any problems with the front of the box slapping or rubbing the roof? Sunroof?

2. Has anyone seen if the xxl fits? The xxl is 7 inches longer, so I am assuming clearances for fin and tailgate maybe problematic and roof slap more likely.

Thank you, KAZ

 

I have the XL size. got it a week before Christmas. I did a 'dry run" about 10 miles on the interstate with it empty, and over Christmas week, drove about 900 miles total with it full of suitcases and random Christmas loot. Good combination of highway speed (stayed under the Thule limitation of 80 mph) and weather from pouring rain to bright sunshine. No problems with flexing/slapping that I could notice, either full or empty. I don't know how accurate the 4Runner display is, but it claims I maintained 18.9 MPG on average, and handling was not noticeably different than without the box. Only concern I have is that even with the box mounted as far forward as I could get it, it just barely still touched the 'shark fin' antenna. I loaded such that there wasn't anything right over that area, and didn't see any damage so it's probably not an issue, but I'll probably remove the fin the first time I get a chance.

 

Welcome from Colorado

 

Hi Guys, I was so excited to find this thread that I actually created a profile for the site. Im a long time lurker first time poster. I have a 5th Gen (2016) SR5 P and I love it. I decided only recently that I am keeping this beauty for many, many years to come (previous vehicles Id flip every 2 or 3 yrs).

Anyway, back to topic, I am thisclose to pulling the trigger on the Thule Motion XT - XL. I have factory cross bars and do not want to buy new ones. I also dont want to remove my shark fin sat radio antenna.

I have a sunroof that I dont want obscured either -- maybe I should go smaller with the L instead of the XL?

TAMA1968: Now that you have had a few months with yours, do you think Im safe to get this box? Any other folks in my same situation (looking at some posts from 2017) still have no regrets? Its one thing if it fits when installing but am also worried about rubbing and noise.

Thanks again. By the way, in my research I came across this video of "what not to do" by Rack Outfitters and needless to say they are telling me to NOT do this. I hope you guys can reassure me that Im doing the right thing: Heres the vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_wfUONju80

 

I've only used mine 2x now (about to load it up for a beach trip this weekend, yay!), but no issues to speak of. I don't see any indication that it ever rubbed or bounced on the roof. Mine doesn't ride quite as low as the one in that video though not far off, but he has better clearance from the antenna ...maybe I need to check my bar placement again though I thought I had them all the way forward. As for wind noise, I don't notice any more than usual. So, no promises but I'm sticking with mine.

 

Anyone try this cargo box - thule motion xt xl with a TRD Pro roof basket? Wondering if it will fit on the lower bars?

 

i know this started as an older post. I am new to the forum an buying a 5th gen in the next week. need To get a cargo box on the roof right away to transport my family of 6. Just wondering if I can get a long-term report on doing this set up with the stock crossbars in the motion XT XL. Did any problems creep up? Biggest worry is scratching the roof or slapping the sunroof. Really do not want to buy after market crossbars because eventual plan would be to buy a rack like Gobi. Thanks in advance