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Roof rack cross bar recommendations

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Bollo, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. Aug 17, 2021 at 5:36 AM
    #1
    Bollo

    Bollo [OP] New Member

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    18 TRD ORP... Would like to get some cross bars for various accessories... roof basket, ski attachments, cargo carrier, transporting small boats. Quality & strength important, what do you all recommend?
     
    mrmike7189 likes this.
  2. Aug 17, 2021 at 6:06 AM
    #2
    SummitBound

    SummitBound New Member

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    I have two of the LFD cross bars. Build quality and strength is very impressive and you can get their rails eventually to build a full rack.

    wish I had gotten the wind fairing as mine are a bit loud but only over 70.

    they take 5-10 minutes to take on or off so you could also always take off when not in use.
     
    DRobs likes this.
  3. Aug 17, 2021 at 7:20 AM
    #3
    Tooly

    Tooly New Member

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    I should be picking up Yakima Timberline mounts and 60" crossbars today. I need something that extends past the width of the roof rails and the Yakima gives me that flexibility. I have the 2010-2013 4Runner Trail rails on my '21 ORP and Yakima are the only ones who explicitly state their mounts work for them.
     
  4. Aug 17, 2021 at 7:22 AM
    #4
    surfermonkey

    surfermonkey New Member

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    Second on the yakima timberline towers and for strength, the hd crossbars. The thule equivalent offering will be more than adequate as well.
     
  5. Aug 17, 2021 at 7:29 AM
    #5
    tmil0911

    tmil0911 New Member

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  6. Aug 17, 2021 at 7:30 AM
    #6
    canadian.bacon

    canadian.bacon H9 halogen is the best led bulb

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    yes




    ....read about the specs and see what you need them for
     
  7. Aug 17, 2021 at 7:49 AM
    #7
    Gumpus

    Gumpus New Member

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    Thule or Yakima with aero bars
     
  8. Aug 17, 2021 at 8:00 AM
    #8
    18RunnerLTD

    18RunnerLTD New Member

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    I have the OEM Toyota crossbars and it holds my Thule Force XL-L perfectly. On Thule's webpage it says it's not supposed to fit but, it fits perfect.
     
  9. Aug 17, 2021 at 9:47 AM
    #9
    jasonmcelroy

    jasonmcelroy Recovering perfectionist

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    My oem crossbars are fine for connecting the things I need (basket, bike carriers, shell). My problem is how close to the roof line they sit. It's a real pain in the ass to attach and detach various items due to the limited clearance below the cross bar. Am also scratching the paint no matter how careful I try to be.

    Have considered making my own towers to carry the existing bars (I have a lathe and some fabrication skills) but it has yet to become important enough.

    Jason
     
    flip and mrmike7189 like this.
  10. Aug 17, 2021 at 11:50 AM
    #10
    57HotrodVW

    57HotrodVW New Member

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  11. Aug 17, 2021 at 12:41 PM
    #11
    Beachguy

    Beachguy Normal turned up too loud

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    I also have the LFD crossbar kit but my front faring is different than the one in the above post. So far I’m happy with them.
     
  12. Aug 17, 2021 at 1:05 PM
    #12
    daleclough

    daleclough New Member

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    any side pictures? would like to see how far above the rails those stand. Thx!
     
    jasonmcelroy likes this.
  13. Aug 17, 2021 at 3:07 PM
    #13
    57HotrodVW

    57HotrodVW New Member

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    They sit about an inch above the side rails. Not too high, but high enough to be easy to get to the underside of them.

    21a.jpg
    15 (1).jpg
     
    Pentangler and 21Venture like this.
  14. Aug 17, 2021 at 3:11 PM
    #14
    57HotrodVW

    57HotrodVW New Member

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  15. Aug 17, 2021 at 3:15 PM
    #15
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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  16. Aug 17, 2021 at 3:47 PM
    #16
    daleclough

    daleclough New Member

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    Thank you!
    Thank you!
     
  17. Aug 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM
    #17
    tmil0911

    tmil0911 New Member

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    LED Headlights / Turn signals. Switchback LED Driving lights. Westin LED Bull bar. MESO Customs Dome light. LED Interior lights. MESO Customs Puddle Lights. RAV4 Blind spot mirrors. WESTIN Bull bar, Tyger steps
  18. Aug 20, 2021 at 12:14 PM
    #18
    Tooly

    Tooly New Member

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    Mounted the Yakima Timberline towers with 60" Core cross bars I mentioned earlier in the thread. Makes getting my 18' Grumman canoe on the roof easier as you're able to get it onto the rails further away from the body of the truck.

    [​IMG]
     
    21Venture and mrmike7189 like this.
  19. Aug 26, 2021 at 4:48 AM
    #19
    tmil0911

    tmil0911 New Member

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    LED Headlights / Turn signals. Switchback LED Driving lights. Westin LED Bull bar. MESO Customs Dome light. LED Interior lights. MESO Customs Puddle Lights. RAV4 Blind spot mirrors. WESTIN Bull bar, Tyger steps
  20. Aug 27, 2021 at 3:56 PM
    #20
    jasonmcelroy

    jasonmcelroy Recovering perfectionist

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    I broke down and ordered a set of LFD bars in stainless today.

    Last time I fiddled with trying to mount a bike rack to the stock bars (too close to roof sheet metal) with annoying Yakima plastic clamps was it for me.

    Now I can use normal fasteners from below and stop messing around.

    Jason
     
    Pentangler, OneWhoWonders and natekam like this.
  21. Aug 29, 2021 at 1:22 PM
    #21
    Sandbuster

    Sandbuster Breaking Wind

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    After spending hours of G searching I'm inclined to follow your lead Jason - they are a good looking crossbar (just wish they were free :dancingbroccoli:) LOL...
     
    Pentangler likes this.
  22. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:51 PM
    #22
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    Do you have a photo with your canoe on top?
     
  23. Aug 30, 2021 at 4:22 AM
    #23
    21Venture

    21Venture Roof Rat

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    I have brackets from Nise Rack. Works great to hold awning, waterport, etc....

    Only real down side is wind noise is noticeable.

    To be expected with equipment.

    Good and decent platform for what I need and use right now.

    upload_2021-8-30_6-21-21.jpg

    upload_2021-8-30_6-18-8.jpg
     
    tmil0911 likes this.
  24. Aug 30, 2021 at 6:51 AM
    #24
    natekam

    natekam New Member

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    I have LFD bars with the integrated wind fairing on the way as well. These seemed to be the best option/value w/ factory rails. All of the reviews indicate lots of flexibility...give you more space w/o being to raised...well made. Also the added benefit that you can use those bars if you want to upgrade from factory rails to LFD rails.
     
    jasonmcelroy[QUOTED] likes this.
  25. Aug 30, 2021 at 5:27 PM
    #25
    Tooly

    Tooly New Member

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    I don't at the moment, just one of it mounted on the factory cross bars.

    I know some people say that the Yakima bars raise your load too high but I'm 6'5" so not an issue for me and if I really need to the top of any load, I just step on the running boards or stand on the top of a rear tire.
     
  26. Aug 30, 2021 at 7:49 PM
    #26
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    Standing on the tire works great for me. Better than a ladder or stool.
     
  27. Aug 30, 2021 at 7:50 PM
    #27
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    So do you center the canoe on the rack or is it slid forward a bit and then cinched down to the trailer hitch?

    The rack seems too far back for centering a 18’ canoe.
     
  28. Aug 30, 2021 at 7:56 PM
    #28
    Tooly

    Tooly New Member

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    This was how it sat with the stock cross bars

    [​IMG]
     
  29. Aug 31, 2021 at 6:02 AM
    #29
    tmil0911

    tmil0911 New Member

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    Are those the LFD WIDE Crossrails?
     
  30. Aug 31, 2021 at 4:28 PM
    #30
    natekam

    natekam New Member

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    Sweet Canoe...your 4runner looks good on it
     
    mrmike7189 likes this.

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