Gobi Ladder fitment on 2019 TRD Pro?

Hey guys, does anyone know if there will be any fitment issues with the 2019 TRD Pro stock "FJ" style roof rack and a Gobi Ladder?

Would the rear hatch/door open all the way, or would the top of the ladder hit the back end of the rack?

I plan on keeping the stock roof rack and don't have any intentions of upgrading it.

Thanks in advance!

 

I wouldn't think so.

 

If you have the stock, OEM roof rack you shouldn't be climbing on the roof. I noticed the 4Runner roof will buckle if you walk on it. I have a Baja Racks flat utility rack and a Baja Racks ladder. With this rack I can walk on the cross bars that occur at about 4" on center (no mesh version). I don't get up there very often, but when I do, a rear hatch ladder is the only way to get up. Otherwise there's nowhere to climb/step. I can do most of what I need on the roof rack by standing on the rock sliders or the back tires.

Another caution, if you have a stock roof rack and you tie hard gear down on the roof of the truck, it will slide around somewhat when you're off-roading. I scratched my roof paint job this way before I got the Baja Rack. I usually place cardboard, a moving pad or large piece of carpeting down on the roof to keep it from scratching the paint. With the aftermarket roof racks this isn't an issue.

 

Thanks for the pointers! I wasn't going to be standing on the stock roof rack. Mainly wanted the Gobi ladder just for the looks and wanted to keep the stock "FJ" style roof rack because I really liked the way the old FJ's looked stock. I'm a regular tent kind of family camper. No interest in roof top tents. I am however concerned that our Thule Cargo box will likely no longer fit and will probably get a shorter/smaller one.

 

You're welcome. Good luck with the Thule box.
The roof rack can take some weight. It's the sheet metal roof between the rack that will buckle if you stand on it.
Yes, we like to tent camp too. It's easy and light weight. We can go anywhere. I have good 3-season tent and a good 4-season tent I can take, depending on the temps.
I have a Sherpa Bag, waterproof cargo bag that ties down on the roof between the OEM rails that we sometimes use for light weight gear like sleeping bags and duffle bags of clothes. I suppose we can still use it for the same things on the roof rack.
I always put bulky firewood, a shovel and the propane cans up on the roof or roof rack. With the stock rack you have to put something down to protect the paint on the roof. Then tie it down so it won't move around.

 

Heq206,
The Gobi ladder will not fit on a 2019 4runner. I have spoken with Gobi about this. They are currently designing one that will allow for the clearance of our stock roof racks. Below is an email from Alex at Gobi.
Hope this helps, John

"The ladder is $250.00 with shipping included to the lower 48 states, we do take credit card information at the time of order but we don’t charge anything until the ladder is ready to go and that would be a minimum 8-12 weeks.

Looking at the model of your vehicle I should advise that the ladder is not compatible with the 2019 TRD PRO at this time, the ladder will interfere with the roof rack, we will be developing a ladder compatible with that model soon, if you like I can let you know when we have a release date."

-Alex M 14509 E 33RD PLACE, UNIT E AURORA, CO 80011

E: Alex@gobiracks.com | W: GOBIRACKS.com | P720) 479 9372 |D720) 531 1820

 

The 2019 roof rack is a nice throwback to the FJ Cruiser but it's not good as a roof rack for off-roading. I found if you put anything on the roof, tie it down and drive off-road the stuff slides around and scratches the roof pretty quickly. That's why I got the Baja Racks flat utility rack, with cross bars at 4" oc not mesh, which I like a lot. It's lower than any basket style rack, which allows me get into my garage and clear some of the tight parking garages around here. I eventually got the Baja Racks ladder to go with it.

 

Thanks for the info @H60Flyer and @DesertCanyons.

I was actually supposed to get my 2019 TRD Pro this month (March), had it ordered in January. However, decided to cancel it when I heard about the 2020 models. Did it mainly for the Army Green color and the CarPlay upgraded and other saftey tech is a bonus for me.

I'm still torn on if I should keep the stock FJ style rack. I like the looks of it, but I don't think it's as functional. I may eventually upgrade to a Gobi rack, but even that I'm not 100% convinced on. The wait times are so long and I'm somewhat concerned that it's going to rust. I've read that rust issues are bound to happen. I live in the PNW and I park out side at work (no parking garage), so I'm sure it's going to get rust eventually. I understand that powdercoat will eventually wear down and steel will rust. But at that price point, it's hard to swallow for me.

I may just stick with the stock once I get my 4runner. Cons for me: not as versatile as a flat rack, too "tall", I'll only have 1.5" of clearance in my garage. Pros: I actually like the way it looks.

 

All legit cons of that stock rack. I think it's useless, hate the look, and I feel Gobi sucks, but that is my opinion and to each his own. Check out the racks by SSO, which is aluminum, or the aluminum full LFD Offroad rack.

 

Hi heq206 (OP),
I bought my Baja Racks roof rack powder coated but then also painted it with Rustoleum paint using a quart can and a brush. By painting with a brush each coat is thicker and there's no aerosol can, propellent or spray paint waste. It costs less than a bunch of spray cans too. I hung the rack from the mounting holes on 1/4" rope in the garage so I could paint it top and bottom in one coat. I painted two coats initially and then painted it again when I had it repaired after backing the rack into an overhead pipe in an apartment building garage. The weld shop I hired slid the rack around on the floor and scratched the paint so I needed to repaint it. It was not hard to take the rack off later and repaint it. This kind of painting protects the rack from rusting.

I painted my Domello rock sliders and RCI skid plates the same way. The brush strokes and occasional over-coat drips don't show much from the point of view you see the parts from.

If you install a lift of 1&1/2" or more, the stock rack will not fit into your garage. My Baja Racks flat rack just barely cleared the door after I installed a 2" lift. The stock 2015 rack would have been the same problem with the lift.

 

Great info and thanks for the tips!

 

Fyi, for all who stumble on this post......Gobi has ladders available that are specific to the 2019 TRD Pro 4runner. They were redesigned to allow clearance for the stock roof rack. I have one on order and can post pics after I get it. ($275 shipped)

 

please post pics after you get it installed i am interested as well thanks

 

Hey, just wondering if you got your gobi ladder yet? Would love to see it with the stock "FJ style" rack. I know gobi has a few photos on their website. But, I'd like to see some front other angles... like a side shot and maybe with the trunk open.

I'm picking up a 2020 AG 4runner TRDP soon and contemplating keeping the stock rack and going with this ladder. Thanks!

 

2019 specific "trd pro rack Gobi ladder" only took like 3 and a half months to receive.

 

Looks great! Wow, it's so close to the back of the roof rack. I think I may go this route. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

It is indeed very close but the hatch is fully extended up in all pics. I made sure it wouldn't hit by trying to apply a small amount of pressure and the spacing they gave is perfect. I think I'll be switching to a lower profile rack anyways. I'd like to lift the vehicle but know I won't clear any of the regular garages here in SF if I keep this style of rack, plus accessories are few and far.

 

looks great how much did cost you great job and thanks for posting pics.I like it.

 

Looks awesome! Can't wait to get my ladder. @ss.rob Have you measured the diameter of the vertical and horizontal tubes in your Gobi ladder? Wondering if I could trouble you to post them. I am thinking about getting a Rotopax mount but they're asking me for the clamp size. My Gobi ladder is likely a few months from arriving and wanted to have the mount ready to go. Enjoy your great-looking 4R TRD Pro!

https://axiaalloys.com/product/rotopax-fuel-container-mount-adjustable-angle/