Thanks for helping me choose a rack!

I searched pretty extensively and can't seem to find anyone with a 5th gen 4Runner that is running either:

• Victory 4x4 steel crossbars with stock rails - OR -
• Rhino Rack Universal Pioneer Platform

I currently throw surfboards and flat-packed things on the stock bars with no problem. Now that I'm doing more camping trips and going into more remote areas offroad, I want to upgrade my stock crossbars to some sort of low-profile rack or platform to also support fuel, water, tools, maybe some camping gear, firewood, etc. I don't plan to get a roof top tent, so the stock rails should be fine. Typical use is 95% on road, 5% offroad but I do haul boards and more up there on the regular.

I have the Rhino Rack Universal Pioneer Platform in a box right now because I got a killer deal on it ($450, less than 1/2 the cost of a Backbone system). Seems like a lot of people are running the Pioneer Backbone system or Pioneer SX system, but not seeing anyone running this one that mounts to stock or aftermarket crossbars. Looks like this on a 4runner:




Here's where I could use some advice: with the Rhino Rack I am having second thoughts about adding all that weight up there plus a few inches of height to the vehicle when I won't be using the platform all that often. Plus the Pioneer Platform accessories are $$$.

The alternative would be the super-low profile Victory 4x4 steel rails (x3 or x4) and then adding one or two aluminum molle panels on one side for ratcheting down looser stuff, fuel, or tools. Victory says you can run a RTT on stock rails with their crossbars which would be a bonus down the road, although I guess I couldn't mount an awning with their system. The rails and molle panel look like this:






Decisions, decisions. Anyone have either of these options they would recommend?

I went with 3 steel Ruggadized Crossbars ($79.99) from LFD + their wind fairing ($39.99).

LFD Off Road - Crossbars

Victory's crossbars are $10 more and they don't sell the Fairing.

I do like Victory's rear ladder. Just haven't gotten around to ordering one yet.


Next off road trip, I'll mount my traction boards up there. I'd feel like a bit of a d-bag leaving my traction boards on 24/7/365.

Some so so pics:

Attached Images

   

Have you also looked at the LFD bars? I have them and like how they open up more mounting options as they use a slot like the frontrunner.

The LFD bars look great, thanks for the suggestions. That actually looks like a better option and I like the look. Can't seem to find the weight listed anywhere on their site, are they heavy? And how's the wind noise?

Took me awhile to find haha
LFD Off Road - How much do Ruggedized Crossbars weigh?

5 steel, 2 aluminum. I am running the stainless steel ones and to be honest, don't really notice the wind up there. I also have a wind fairing, ran without one for a week or so and there was a difference but wasn't too bad.

I have the Victory 4X4 crossbars.
Zero wind noise and no screwing around with a wind faring.
They also sit lower than the LFD which is likely why there is no wind noise.
I do like the channel slotting better with the LFD however.

Zero wind noise is a plus, how many bars are you running?

Just two.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Rhino Rack is getting returned.

Ordered 4 LFD bars and an aluminum fairing. They have a 10% off sale for 4th of July on their Facebook page. Also dropping off the roof rails to be powder-coated black next week.

I might do the same thing, although, I would like to get my rails wrapped on the vehicle and not have to take it apart.

I was going to get a full roof rack, but after reading some of the problems with leaks and rust, this looks like this would work for me. i really dont need a full rack. I like the rago cross bars the best, but they only come in a 5 pack, and the cost is about the same as a full rack, but they are the best looking built ive seen.
3 cross bars with a victory mollie rack on one side looks like a really good set up. do you think the LFD wind bar would fit on a victory crossbar???
I looked at victorys site, and couldnt find the mollie rack, but did find one on cali raised site???????

I agree with you on a full rack and leaks and I don’t particularly care for the look of the side rails on the LFD. I considered the Ragos awhile back too. Now I’m wondering if 3 wide LFD bars is better than 4 standard LFD bars. Anyone with any input on this would be appreciated.

looking at the site and trying to decide, i was thinking one narrow in front and back and a wide in the middle???? i like the victory because its lower, but like the slots on the lfd. man, decisions???? victory with slots would be great, then it would be a rago!

i think i'll go with the lower victory. there 3" wide, and get 3. the lFD are 2" and 4" and a taller fit. i can deal without slots.
just cant find the mollie panel on there site.

finally figured it out, the mollie panel on cali raised is FOR the victory roof rack, not made by victory. dahhhh

Following.
Im in the same boat as OP. I definitely do not want a full rack but cant decide on some crossbars to the factory rails or getting a 3/4 rack like Victory's. Like mentioned I like the Rago Bars but they are the price of a full setup.
I have a Yakima SUPDawg to hold my surfboard and paddle board so I want rails that will still allow that to clamp on.

With a bit of work, you have the option of making your own too.

You can cut aluminum with a table/band saw for nice clean edges. Router work too. Or I think Eitek1 has some brackets that he had made.

Check this post. DIY: Ultra Low Profile Custom Rack / Crossbars for OEM TE Roof Rails

You can get your aluminum rails from
TNUTZ | Your leader in T-Slotted Aluminum Hardware & Components or T-Slot Aluminum Framing |Aluminum Extrusions | Extruded Aluminum

The other option is to make a bracket to attached the Pioneer Platform to the factory rack. Shouldn't be much more than an L-Bracket.

The tricky bit is attaching to the factory slots. They are a 10mm slot, but it looks like thin profile. I haven't tried anything out yet myself but it's on my list.