03-26-2015, 06:27 AM
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#1
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Minnesota
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Real Name: JB
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Join Date: Jul 2014
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Deciding between Bajarack Utility and Front Runner racks
I had the Bajarack on my FJ and loved it but I'm liking the looks and accessories that Front Runner offers. I'm hoping people on here can share some of their experience to help me decide.
First, I have a moon roof. It looks like you can't use the wind deflector on the Front Runner with a moon roof? How's the noise with the roof open?
The Utility Rack was pretty much silent on my FJ, how is it on a 4runner with the roof open?
Anybody carried full sheets of drywall on a Front Runner?
Finally, anybody mount an awning on the 3/4 length Front Runner?
Thanks
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03-26-2015, 08:39 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NorCal
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Real Name: Ben
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Front runner is by far a higher quality rack if you actually plan to use it for a rack. If you want a look, Baja is ok, but the pc on mine is crap. I have a front runner on my 80 and am seriously considering swapping over to the front runner on my runner. Someone managed to do a full length one on theirs with some fabbed front supports... I'd be tempted to go that route myself but I'm undecided. Front runner accessories can't be beat. I have the tent mounting system, water canister and multiple quick tie downs. The best is the alum table though! I love it. Front runner is as quiet as the baja.
Utility rack on the runner is nearly silent ameven with the sunroof open. It's a good shape/design but weak steel and horrid PC.
No drywall but have done full sheets of plywood on my front runner.
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2013 LE, All Pro +2 LT Front, CVJ axles, King shocks, Califab rear links, Hutchinson beadlocks, Nitto Trail Grappler 35x12.5x17, 4x4 Labs rear bumper and front bumper and sliders, tints, Bajarack, RCI skids, 4.56 gears and ARB lockers/Compressor, Rigid Lights, Rydeen 360 camera system, KK6JZH...Keeping it mild Build & Pics
Last edited by bimrunner; 03-26-2015 at 08:41 AM.
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03-26-2015, 08:49 AM
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#3
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Minnesota
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Real Name: JB
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Join Date: Jul 2014
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Thanks. Exactly the kind of input I'm looking for.
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03-26-2015, 09:29 AM
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#4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimrunner
Front runner is by far a higher quality rack if you actually plan to use it for a rack.
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you an Jblick are why I am going with Frontrunner when the time comes. I have seen the modded full length on a 5th gen.... which lead me to this: http://expeditionportal.com/field-te...-k9-roof-rack/
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03-26-2015, 09:30 AM
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#5
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Real Name: Ron
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I have the baja flat with short side rails. No additional wind noise with roof open. Agree with Bimrunner the PC is not good. Has faded significantly and now more grey than black. That said I do like the rack. Bungee cord and spider web hooks are to small to fit over the side rail tubing so have to be a little more creative in timing things down. If like baja and want better PC suggest get bare metal and either paint yourself or have PC'd locally. Build quality on mine seems to be fine and rack meets all my needs, just the PC quality. Luck on decision.
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2012 Salsa Red SR5, 285 70R 17 Wild Country XTX, Weather Tech floor and cargo mats, Revtec spacers, Metal Tech OPOR sliders, Harper7/Antman wheel well mod, black grill bezel, custom baja utility rack
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03-26-2015, 11:20 AM
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#6
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Real Name: Mitch
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Another Option
Just throwing this out there; I picked up the Eezi-Awn 1.6m K-9 Rack (they have full length as well). Quality is awesome. comes in one piece so no assembly of the rack itself is required and also nothing to come loose later on. Tons of accessories, I picked up the hi-lift, shovel and double Jerry can mounts. Pic after install
Eezi-Awn K9 Toyota 4Runner Roof Racks | Equipt Expedition Outfitters
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03-26-2015, 05:57 PM
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#7
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Location: Edmonton, Canada
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Front Runner
I've had 3/4 Front Runner Rack installed on my 2014 Trail Edition for 1 year. Ive used it all last summer for roof top tent and all winter for snowboards (mounts from front runner as well). It is a truly great rack.......however.
I now have ordered Gobi Rack with the rear ladder. Mostly because of looks. I love the full length and rear ladder look with nice flaring at the front.
Biggest thing I did not like about front runner rack: Super noisy with a roof top tent at highway speeds and the abrupt 3/4 look.
Biggest thing I liked is the stainless steel table mount underneath. So handy when camping. Superb quality. However I will see if I can keep the slides and modify then into the GOBI roof rack so I can still use my front runner stainless steel table.
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03-26-2015, 06:21 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Jul 2014
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Thanks everybody. That full length Front Runner looks great. The K9 too.
ETA: I've sent an email to Front Runner to see about a full length rack with an opening for the sun roof.
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Last edited by sleevefullofaces; 03-27-2015 at 05:30 AM.
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03-27-2015, 08:08 AM
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#9
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Banned
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sleevefullofaces
ETA: I've sent an email to Front Runner to see about a full length rack with an opening for the sun roof.
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they wont do a full rack or a one off.... we've asked. You can however buy a full length and make custom brackets (legs) for the front
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03-27-2015, 08:35 AM
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#10
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Join Date: Jul 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenamphibious
they wont do a full rack or a one off.... we've asked. You can however buy a full length and make custom brackets (legs) for the front
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Maybe if enough people ask they will.
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03-27-2015, 08:51 AM
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#11
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by all means give it a go.... they cited insufficient support in forward part of the roof and lack of mounting provisions. Well aware that Gobi and Baja are doing it without issue.
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03-27-2015, 09:20 AM
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#12
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Yes, I have emailed them before asking why not a full length and they were in strong opinion that the front legs not being bolted down will cause "flapping" around and will compromise the rigidity/life of the roof rack. Then again, BAJA, GOBI and others are doing it so I don't know what their deal......
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03-27-2015, 10:47 AM
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#13
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I've been doing this comparison myself. On another thread, a poster mentioned that his rack was not fully PC'ed, and he found rust spots on his roof. There's also a weight difference (65 lbs Baja 3/4 vs. 51 lbs Frontrunner).
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2014 SR5P, Budbuilts sliders, Husky Weatherbeaters, RCI skid, Icon tubular stg 2, LED interior, Icom 208h, extended rear breather, 255/80-17 Cooper ST Maxx, Frontrunner 3/4 rack.
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Past: 2006 LX470, stock; 1996 FZJ80, not stock
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03-27-2015, 10:50 AM
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#14
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I contacted FrontRunner recently and they said they do not make a full rack for the 5th gen yet. The 3/4 FrontRunner rack looks odd, does not flow right IMO.
They said they will be releasing a FULL FrontRunner rack for the 5th gen in the future, but they could not tell me when.
Unless its a FULL front runner rack go with them since the 3/4 one is kind of useless (to me).
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2009 Trail Edition - ICON lift, Total Chaos UCA, BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 285/70/17's, SCS Stealth 6 Matte Gunmetal finish, K9 2.2m Roof Rack.
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03-27-2015, 11:03 AM
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#15
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It sounds like we need to show FrontRunner that there is some interest in the full length. Maybe that way production might be made a higher priority for them.
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