5th Gen Aluminum Roof Rack Using OEM Siderails: NiseRack

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.

Mostly I need to see the mounting points. The rest of it can be figured out. If I can see that I would know if it were possible pretty quickly.

Thanks!
 
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.

[MENTION=490727]3rdgendreamin[/MENTION]

If you can give me the length of the rail from end to end and the distance apart at both ends I can tell you what length rail you need to order. Depending on the offset from end to end you should be fine. If it's extreme that's another story but I image it's not. The bars are only 3" wide and I would have to guess across a 3" span it's minimal.

If you like I can send you out a "test" bracket and backing plate tomorrow to see if they will work in your rails. If the LFD rails fit I would imagine mine would too.

Also at this point I have 15 sets of 4 brackets ready to ship tomorrow if anyone is interested.
 
[MENTION=490727]3rdgendreamin[/MENTION]

If you can give me the length of the rail from end to end and the distance apart at both ends I can tell you what length rail you need to order. Depending on the offset from end to end you should be fine. If it's extreme that's another story but I image it's not. The bars are only 3" wide and I would have to guess across a 3" span it's minimal.

If you like I can send you out a "test" bracket and backing plate tomorrow to see if they will work in your rails. If the LFD rails fit I would imagine mine would too.

Also at this point I have 15 sets of 4 brackets ready to ship tomorrow if anyone is interested.

Can do sir! I won’t be back home until this weekend but I’ll take measurements and advise. Where can I order the test bracket?
 
Mostly I need to see the mounting points. The rest of it can be figured out. If I can see that I would know if it were possible pretty quickly.

Thanks!


Let me know if you need more/different photos from these:
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d047d3936d2e9677f00e3cab4f49503c.jpg

3019ca52d92c8de4a3db95c66f7c6448.jpg

df2ce74646c681c0662c6e4c0efb1767.jpg

00217d3e91a45d3c992c76239d2eb4f5.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Can do sir! I won’t be back home until this weekend but I’ll take measurements and advise. Where can I order the test bracket?

Just send me your address via IM and I'll ship it out to you. It's sitting next to the keyboard just waiting for your address...
 
Let me know if you need more/different photos from these:
e60fc0f3f261eb8486fe3fe085bf136f.jpg

d047d3936d2e9677f00e3cab4f49503c.jpg

3019ca52d92c8de4a3db95c66f7c6448.jpg

df2ce74646c681c0662c6e4c0efb1767.jpg

00217d3e91a45d3c992c76239d2eb4f5.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Honestly my first response was "yeah, I'm not messing with that". I do like a challenge though so give me a few days to think on it.

On second thought, what is the diameter of the bar? I think I might have an idea....
 
Honestly my first response was "yeah, I'm not messing with that". I do like a challenge though so give me a few days to think on it.

On second thought, what is the diameter of the bar? I think I might have an idea....


I don’t have my calipers handy, but I’m getting roughly 1 5/8”. My guess is it is standard 1 1/4” NPS pipe (32mm DN) and I’d also assume schedule 40 for wall thickness.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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.

With these instructions it will give us everything we need for 1 bar correct? It is not a set? So if we wanted say 4 bars we would need to increase the quantity? Also what is the load strength on these bars? I would look to add a 180lb RTT plus people in it of course. Thanks!
 
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With these instructions it will give us everything we need for 1 bar correct? It is not a set? So if we wanted say 4 bars we would need to increase the quantity? Also what is the load strength on these bars? I would look to add a 180lb RTT plus people in it of course. Thanks!

That’s for one bar. You’ll need a quantity of 4. [MENTION=176262]Eitek1[/MENTION] can explain this better, but the specs on these extrusions list the tensile strength at 30,000 psi. I’m not sure, but I bet the bolt system would fail before the bar.

I believe the limiting factor for a RTT would be the carrying capacity of the OEM side rails. I don’t recall what it is, I removed the sticker from my rack. I think it is listed as 140lbs. But I think that was the capacity of the whole rack including the OEM crossbars, which are not in use anymore. And it’s a dynamic weight limit: driving around. Probably so you don’t affect handling of the vehicle. Not that big of an issue when parked with people on top. I don’t think the issue is that you will crush the roof. This weight limit issue must have been discussed in some RTT threads.
 
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With these instructions it will give us everything we need for 1 bar correct? It is not a set? So if we wanted say 4 bars we would need to increase the quantity? Also what is the load strength on these bars? I would look to add a 180lb RTT plus people in it of course. Thanks!

Electroboy is correct. You will need to order 4 individual bars when you make an order to Tnutz.

As far as the loading, in a static condition the bars and brackets will hold in excess of 1000 pounds. I'm a pretty large guy and I mounted up the brackets on a bar put it on the ground and lightly shifted my weight on it. The bar will flex a bit but no issues. I weight about 280.

The bolts have a yield strength of 65k PSI. At this point the weakest part will be the rails. As Electroboy stated the listed rating is around 150 pounds with the factory rails. Once installed the rack setup is remarkably solid. I think that actually knowing the weight it would hold would require destructive testing and I'm not ready to offer my wife's 4Runner up to the gods of knowledge just yet.

If I had to take a guess, I'd say it would hold a rooftop tent and occupants. The failure mode would have to be a deformation of the rail itself. Between the rail and the mounting point I think it's the weaker link but I think it will carry a significant amount of weight before that happens.
 
Order?

I am ordering today, but want to make sure I get this right. I order 4 crossbars, to the specs given in the previous post, easy enough. Then I order a set of 4 brackets? Or 2 sets of 4 brackets?
 
I am ordering today, but want to make sure I get this right. I order 4 crossbars, to the specs given in the previous post, easy enough. Then I order a set of 4 brackets? Or 2 sets of 4 brackets?

One set of 4 brackets. That’s all the brackets you’ll need for 4 bars.
 
Now my curiosity is getting the better of me. I want to do some destructive testing just to see what it will take to fail my rack system.

Anyone know where I can get a 5th gen pull off rack? I figure I could build a jig pretty easy and I have access to a tote tank. I could just fill it with water until it failed.

It would be an awesome experiment.
 
Interesting. In theory I could source a set of the “standard” factory roof rails, buy these brackets and extrusions and end up way cheaper than buying a $1000 aftermarket rack to replace my pro rack.

The issue I have with the pro rack is that it’s limiting me from lifting the vehicle, even by using larger tires, due to its excessive height off the roof that already hits the parking garage at work.
 
Now my curiosity is getting the better of me. I want to do some destructive testing just to see what it will take to fail my rack system.

Anyone know where I can get a 5th gen pull off rack? I figure I could build a jig pretty easy and I have access to a tote tank. I could just fill it with water until it failed.

It would be an awesome experiment.

I see there are some for sale on eBay.

2010-2019 Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen Roof Rack Rail Cross bars Black End Caps OEM | eBay


2010 - 2019 OEM TOYOTA 4RUNNER ROOF RACK CROSS BAR 4 PIECE KIT PT278-89170 | eBay


Stock Toyota 2010-2019 4Runner Roof Rails With End Caps And Mounting Hardware | eBay

Also a forum member:

5th Gen OEM Roof Rack - $125 + shipping -- SW CO

It would be great if someone would donate a rack for the cause of science. :)
 
Honestly my first response was "yeah, I'm not messing with that". I do like a challenge though so give me a few days to think on it.

On second thought, what is the diameter of the bar? I think I might have an idea....

I just checked mine. The pro rack round bars are 1 3/4” OD.
 
NiseRack vs. Toyota's CrossBar

I'm thinking to buy a roof tent, Roofnest Sparrow that has a spect of 134lbs, for my 2016 T4R SR5, 5th Gen.

I think somewhere I read the 2 Toyota Cross Bars would give you the support for 130lbs.

Would these NiserRack give you more support/more weight they can handle with the 4 bars?

Trying to see if there's any +/advantage of going with these NiserRack, instead of the Toyota's.

Welcome your thought on this, & thanks in advance.
 
I'm thinking to buy a roof tent, Roofnest Sparrow that has a spect of 134lbs, for my 2016 T4R SR5, 5th Gen.

I think somewhere I read the 2 Toyota Cross Bars would give you the support for 130lbs.

Would these NiserRack give you more support/more weight they can handle with the 4 bars?

Trying to see if there's any +/advantage of going with these NiserRack, instead of the Toyota's.

Welcome your thought on this, & thanks in advance.


I don’t believe anyone uses the Toyota crossbars to mount a rooftop tent. They’re bowed and they flex. Their load rating isn’t great enough. But a lot of folks use aftermarket crossbars like Thule, LFD, or Yakima on the OEM side rails.
You can search for threads on the subject. Here’s one:

Final word on RTT on stock roof rails.

Load distribution over the four crossbars in a NiseRack configuration would be a better setup.
 
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