I'm looking for a flat 3/4 rack and these ones come up
Toyota 4Runner Prinsu Roof Rack 3/4 | 2010-2022 - Prinsu Roof Racks


3rd Gen 4Runner Half Roof Rack | 1996-2002 4Runner | Sherpa Equipment Co.

Any feedback on these almost $800 racks? Seems $$$

What else could I find for less or is this the price point for a roof rack?

Definitely big $$$ either way. The stock rack crossbars are a bit sketchy and limiting if you want to put bigger loads on the roof. Don't try this at home:



I like the bolt-directly-to-the-roof method of the Prinsu, but I like the look of the side panels on the Sherpa.

I ended up with a Sherpa rack. Let me know if you want to check it out in person... I'm up in Pasadena.



-Charlie

I feel exactly the same way as you do about those two options, I'll coordinate with you via pm to hook up, thanks!

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I emailed Sherpa with a few questions, like can I remove the factory track and their response was quite definitive and compelling:

Unfortunately the holes will not line up if you do this and the bottom of the mounting feet will not match the curve of the roof as they were designed to mount flat to the track system, without any rubber bases like the other racks have. Also, it sucks but Toyota made the roofs of the 3rd gens quite then. Because of this, I have seen many other companies racks, that do not utilize the track system actually cave in parts of the roof where the mounting feet bolt down. By using the track system, it actually helps add some rigidity to the roof.

​My decision might have been made right there...


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Can't speak from experience on the Prinsu product but they have a good reputation. I believe both companies are using all Made in USA stuff. I believe Sherpa sources all their metal and hardware from within 500 miles of their shop. IMHO, you cannot go wrong with the quality of the Sherpa stuff. Add in that the founder literally birthed and grew his company in the t4r.org forum and is 'one of us' means a lot to me. I did wait until the Black Friday deals went down and despite a considerable savings, it's still a big purchase for something that on many builds isn't as important as a mechanical upgrade might be at first. I told myself I will be carrying all kinds of stuff on my half-rack Antero, but in reailty I'll be sitting up there in the back country on a piece of plywood on a lawnchair under my Modelo umbrella.....

For this reason, I extended the rails on my roof (using a second set of OEM rails cut down). I wanted the force to be spread out as much as possible both on compression and tension of the roof (wind and road forces can be rough on things). I used some very wide fender washers to help spread the load under the extended rails. The rear OEM parts do have some stiffening rails below the skin, but it isn't great. At least one person has put extra bar stock under the roof to help stiffen it up.

Before adding the front feet:


Front feet installed:


(this is yet another time when I enjoy having a smooth roof)

-Charlie

@phattyduck what is the OAL height added to the truck by the Sherpa rack?

I have a clearance issue in my garage and I'm hoping a flat rack will allow my 1" body lift and 32" tires to go on.

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You will not find any other rack for cheaper than the Sherpa full size rack. It took me 7 years to buy a good rack, let a loan a modular rack that could withstand the elements. I love my Sherpa rack and I’m glad I made the purchase when I did.


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How tall is your garage? 7 feet? 8 feet?


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Official spec from Sherpa is only 2" from the center of the roof (highest point) - which is similar to the stock rack cross bars that bow up in the middle. I'd leave 3" just to be safe...

The challenge is to remember to take everything off the roof if you are going to park inside... Can't keep a bike rack up there or anything like that. I have 32's, but only a 2" lift.

Even with a 2" lift, my 4Runner isn't much taller than our van at stock height with roof rack rails and crossbars.

-Charlie

I'm looking at the smaller rack but I'm a buy once cry once kinda guy, so I get it

The lowest spot I need to cross (pipes) is 78"

With the current Harbor Freight roof basket (+5" off the factory tracks) and 265/75 R16s I'm at 77"

I have the full length Prinsu. It’s about 3/4” taller than the factory cross bars when measuring at the center of the roof. I don’t know the exact measurement offhand but it’s not saving you any garage clearance over stock. I doubt the Sherpa one is much lower. That’s one of the reasons I don’t leave anything permanently mounted to it when not in use. Drive throughs and the occasional parking garage with low overhead clearances. My cb antenna usually hits the parking garages though

My garage is 8 feet high and I now don’t fit in my garage with my tent on the truck. I’m 98”s with my tent on the truck. When my truck was in IFS form, I could go in and out of the garage fully loaded. The perks of SASing the 4Runner.


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Can you do me a favor, please, @phattyduck

Measure from the floor to the top of your rack. I used a 6' level across the top of my roof basket to get my current height.

Measure center hub to fender and floor to fender, front and back (tallest side if unequal). You and I have the same fender flares. With those 3 measurements I can calculate my final height with a Sherpa rack pretty closely.

I'd really appreciate that.

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The Sherpa will absolutely be lower in height than the basket. I have the Antero and it really isn't much taller than stock bars. It only looks taller because the max height is as wide as the vehicle, whereas the stock bars bow up in the middle.