5th Gen Aluminum Roof Rack Using OEM Siderails: NiseRack

[ElectroBoy]

I finally found and installed an aluminum rack on my 18 ORP that used the original Toyota side rails, and it worked out great. It has a low profile and looks OEM.

I did not want an expensive full rack from one of the major manufacturers. I need something for light to medium duty for camping gear, sports gear, and transporting lumber and items from the hardware store. The OEM crossbars that came with my 4Runner are not very useful; they are curved and they flex. But the side rails are more than adequate for attaching aftermarket crossbars. This rack fits my needs perfectly.

This rack design was developed by [MENTION=176262]Eitek1[/MENTION] and is targeted at the 5th Gens 2014+. It is called the NiseRack. You may have seen his posts in another thread about DIY roof racks. This is the result of months of part research, design, prototyping, testing, and refining. He designed and manufactured the aluminum brackets and the attachment system for the crossbars. The crossbars are slotted AA 6063-T6 aluminum extrusions which you buy from TNutz or some other vendor. He enlisted me to test it out before releasing it to the public. It is now ready for prime time and available.

The brackets are reasonably priced and are available through his website at

Shop | NiseRack.com

The website also specifies the part number and dimensions for you to order the crossbars from TNutz.

 

[uh0h50]

Looks like a nice option for the OEM+ people. What's the wind noise like?

 

[sn_85]

Looks like a great option for a great price. I agree though, a windfairing option would be nice but I think you can probably get one from LFD that would fit.

 

[Eitek1]

Looks like a nice option for the OEM+ people. What's the wind noise like?

Thanks! The wind noise is pretty much non-existent below 70 MPH. Above 70 there is a light buffeting sound. It's really not that noticeable.

 

[Eitek1]

Looks like a great option for a great price. I agree though, a windfairing option would be nice but I think you can probably get one from LFD that would fit.

Thanks! I've worked really hard to make this affordable.

I finalized the design for the prototype wind faring last night and it should be produced by the middle of next week. I'll do some testing at that point but should have an offering in the next few weeks.

I know that is something that folks would want.

 

[3rdgendreamin]

Thanks! I've worked really hard to make this affordable.

I finalized the design for the prototype wind faring last night and it should be produced by the middle of next week. I'll do some testing at that point but should have an offering in the next few weeks.

I know that is something that folks would want.

Dude these are dope! I have a 2010 trail. Mounting points look similar, but just wanted to check if you foresee any compatibility issues?

 

[apc9199]

I like the looks of this as an affordable option until I eventually go full-length with a Gobi, or similar. I agree, the OEM cross bars are pretty pathetic for anyone who wants to carry anything substantial on the roof, including lumber which has a tendency to work its way to the outside of the crossbars due to the radius of them. I think some rubber t-slot covers would help for anyone who is worried about wind noise across the slots.

10-Series T-Slot Cover - Black

My biggest concern right now is compatibility with a Yakima SkyBox. They use sort of a cam-action mounting hook that slides under the crossbars and clamps like a vise-grip.

Yakima Mounting Feet

Do you know how the clearance under the crossbars on this compare to OEM? Obviously it varies from center to outside since the crossbars do not follow the roof profile. It looks like the clearance at the sides is greater, but is very similar to OEM in the center. That might work if I center the SkyBox, but I often offset it to one side to be able to carry a bike or something off to one side. Could you provide any insight here? Perhaps I need a slightly taller overall version of your adapters?

 

[Eitek1]

Dude these are dope! I have a 2010 trail. Mounting points look similar, but just wanted to check if you foresee any compatibility issues?

I'm going to look around for some dimensions. I do know if you can use the late model roof rails they should work no problem.

If we can't find out the answer that way I can send you a bracket and backing plate and see if it fits. I've prototyped so many I've got some spares I can use for testing just this kind of stuff.

 

[Eitek1]

I like the looks of this as an affordable option until I eventually go full-length with a Gobi, or similar. I agree, the OEM cross bars are pretty pathetic for anyone who wants to carry anything substantial on the roof, including lumber which has a tendency to work its way to the outside of the crossbars due to the radius of them. I think some rubber t-slot covers would help for anyone who is worried about wind noise across the slots.

10-Series T-Slot Cover - Black

My biggest concern right now is compatibility with a Yakima SkyBox. They use sort of a cam-action mounting hook that slides under the crossbars and clamps like a vise-grip.

Yakima Mounting Feet

Do you know how the clearance under the crossbars on this compare to OEM? Obviously it varies from center to outside since the crossbars do not follow the roof profile. It looks like the clearance at the sides is greater, but is very similar to OEM in the center. That might work if I center the SkyBox, but I often offset it to one side to be able to carry a bike or something off to one side. Could you provide any insight here? Perhaps I need a slightly taller overall version of your adapters?

I measured from the bottom of the bar to the very center of the roof and I had 1.25" of clearance. I checked between the two raised portions on the side and I had 1.5". Keep in mind the center line of the bars is above the rail by about an 1/8".

The dimensions of the bars are 1" X 3". Just eyeballing it, it looks like the clamps should work. They may not close completely around the back side of the bar but I can't tell 100% from the pictures.

 

[itr1275]

I like the looks of this as an affordable option until I eventually go full-length with a Gobi, or similar. I agree, the OEM cross bars are pretty pathetic for anyone who wants to carry anything substantial on the roof, including lumber which has a tendency to work its way to the outside of the crossbars due to the radius of them. I think some rubber t-slot covers would help for anyone who is worried about wind noise across the slots.

10-Series T-Slot Cover - Black

Maybe, maybe not. Most of the time you want to block it off completely or break up the air flow so it doesn't set up a standing wave and whistle.

Rhino has a solution with ribs to break up the noise.

Another person tried this and found that filling the bottom slot was better.
YouTube

Fluid dynamics is a mother.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

Just curious if there is any potential to see a similar solution for 19/20 Pro racks in the future?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ElectroBoy]

Maybe, maybe not. Most of the time you want to block it off completely or break up the air flow so it doesn't set up a standing wave and whistle.

Rhino has a solution with ribs to break up the noise.

Another person tried this and found that filling the bottom slot was better.
YouTube

Fluid dynamics is a mother.

Yeah, the only way to really figure it out would be wind tunnel-like testing. I don’t think that will happen. Lol!
So the best bet would be to experiment. In addition to trying a wind faring, and before buying those rubber strips to insert in the slots, I wonder if covering the bottom slots with aluminum tape would help. Since the aluminum tape is so hard to remove, maybe the first attempt could be with plastic electrical tape.

 

[supratt]

these are awesome! definitely gonna order some when the border opens up.

 

[3rdgendreamin]

I'm going to look around for some dimensions. I do know if you can use the late model roof rails they should work no problem.

If we can't find out the answer that way I can send you a bracket and backing plate and see if it fits. I've prototyped so many I've got some spares I can use for testing just this kind of stuff.

Please keep me in the loop. I was looking at the crossbars LFD offered for the factory rack and they had a specific one for the 10-13 trail but I’m not sure if mounting or length of the bar was the differentiator.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

Is this something that would work for the crossbars? Correct dimensions? Please let me know. EX-1030-BLACK – 1″ x 3″ x 47″ Smooth T-Slotted Aluminum Extrusion for Prinsu Roof Rack | TNUTZ

 

[ElectroBoy]

Is this something that would work for the crossbars? Correct dimensions? Please let me know. EX-1030-BLACK – 1″ x 3″ x 47″ Smooth T-Slotted Aluminum Extrusion for Prinsu Roof Rack | TNUTZ

On the NiseRack website FAQ section there are the specification for the crossbars. For the 2014+ model years.

Frequently Asked Questions | NiseRack.com

Q - What cross bars should I purchase?
A - You should order model:
EX-1030 – 1″ X 3″ SMOOTH T-SLOTTED ALUMINUM EXTRUSION
Inches - 40
Fractional Inches - 3/16
1/4 - 20 Tapped on both ends
​
Here’s a link to TNutz to place an order:
EX-1030 – 1″ x 3″ Smooth T-Slotted Aluminum Extrusion | TNUTZ

Check the proper buttons and pull downs per the specs above to order your bars.

 

[ElectroBoy]

Please keep me in the loop. I was looking at the crossbars LFD offered for the factory rack and they had a specific one for the 10-13 trail but I’m not sure if mounting or length of the bar was the differentiator.

You may have to research this. I thought I read somewhere in the forum that the 10-13s siderails were wider apart at the rear and narrower at the front. Try measuring yours as accurately as possible. The 14+ Side rails are the same width throughout the range: 40.5 inches. The NiseRack brackets plus tolerances take up about 5/16 inch, therefore the crossbars are 40 3/16 inches.

 

[Eitek1]

Just curious if there is any potential to see a similar solution for 19/20 Pro racks in the future?


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I was looking at some pictures online and it looks like the attachment points for the bars is completely different. It looks like they require a circular end. That would be much harder to form. Is there any way you could post some close up pictures of the design?

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

I was looking at some pictures online and it looks like the attachment points for the bars is completely different. It looks like they require a circular end. That would be much harder to form. Is there any way you could post some close up pictures of the design?

Absolutely. Are you looking for detailed images of the OEM cross bar mounts or various shots of the whole rack?
I know LFD was working on this, but the Pro rack garners enough mixed reviews that it's probably difficult to justify prioritizing development.

 

[STX4Runner]

You may have to research this. I thought I read somewhere in the forum that the 10-13s siderails were wider apart at the rear and narrower at the front. Try measuring yours as accurately as possible. The 14+ Side rails are the same width throughout the range: 40.5 inches. The NiseRack brackets plus tolerances take up about 5/16 inch, therefore the crossbars are 40 3/16 inches.

This is correct. They get closer together towards the front. LFD has adjustable crossbars to deal with this. You could uses these brackets and measure very carefully and order the right length extrusions.