Baja Rack vs. Gobi Stealth Rack

[Chrisinvermont]

Joneseyyy,

This rack looks like it might be a solution for my kayak/lumber hauling needs. Can I trouble you for a couple of dimensions/ questions as Baja doesn't seem to have the information on their website yet. First off, what model is the rack so I know when I am speaking with Baja. Do they just refer to it as the full length low profile?

Can you clarify that the rear spoiler over the wiper doesn't hit the rack when the back gate is open? I would think that they took that into consideration.

For dimensions I was looking at the diameter of the cross bars in order to attach Yakima attachments. Also what is the height of the bottom of the rack from the roof and then the sides of the rack. I need to know if there is enough clearance to attach the Yakima rollers. What is the overall height of the rack? I travel alot and I need to make sure it will clear the parking deck at the airport. You would think that living in BTV the airport would take into account the number of people that drive SUV's with roof racks when they designed the parking deck but alas, just one more failure of the local government!

Thanks and if you don't have time to grab the info, just shoot me a PM and I will try and get it out of Baja. I hope the dimensions work because this rack looks like the most promising of the lot!

Chris

 

[joneseyyy]

I'll answer the questions as best I can now, but I am in Seattle until Moday; I can make better measurements when I get home. The rack is the "low profile full-length rack", you could probably just specify 5'' sides and goes over the sunroof. The tubing is 1" on the rack. As far as total height, the 4runner roof arches up in the center left to right and slopes down from back to front. Measuring on the outside, I think the roof to top of the rack in the front is about 7.5 or 8". The back is like 6.5". The floor of the rack has an inch or less clearance with the roof in the middle.

 

[Chrisinvermont]

I'll answer the questions as best I can now, but I am in Seattle until Moday; I can make better measurements when I get home. The rack is the "low profile full-length rack", you could probably just specify 5'' sides and goes over the sunroof. The tubing is 1" on the rack. As far as total height, the 4runner roof arches up in the center left to right and slopes down from back to front. Measuring on the outside, I think the roof to top of the rack in the front is about 7.5 or 8". The back is like 6.5". The floor of the rack has an inch or less clearance with the roof in the middle.

Thanks that is helpful. I will try not to bother you again and I think I will call up Baja and get the process started! You may have sold another rack for them:hatsoff:

 

[reklov]

Thanks that is helpful. I will try not to bother you again and I think I will call up Baja and get the process started! You may have sold another rack for them:hatsoff:

Hey Chris, if you didnt go with the Baja, you can check out the gobi group buy to see what the tech guy at GOBI says about your question.

 

[Mudcat]

Looks really good jonesyyy!!!


My flat rack like yours is built and in transit!!! Can't wait!

Finally decided on the LED light bar and just ordered it today. It was between the Vision X Evo Primes or the new Baja Designs Stealth XPG's.Rigid Industries new ones still are not out yet. Went with the 40" Stealths and BD is building them today to ship tomorrow.Liked the fact that they had 3 modes, On ,dust and strobe that swayed me. Stealth XPG, 40 LED Bar

I'm probably going to sound completely ignorant here, but I checked the price of that led bar and it looks like it's more expensive than the rack itself! :jaw drop:

Is the light output from those things so tremendous that it justifies the price tag? I mean, will we be able to see the mirror reflectors on the moon when we crawl a boulder and point skyward? I like the idea of the led bar as opposed to two or four "normal" lights, but I guess I never knew the huge price gap between the two, and before I shell out that kind of scratch I'd want to know it was money well spent.

Also, it appears rigid has a 40" bar? (which is considerably cheaper than the two you considered) Or are they developing a new one that willbe more comparable to your new purchase?

 

[harper7]

I'm probably going to sound completely ignorant here, but I checked the price of that led bar and it looks like it's more expensive than the rack itself! :jaw drop:

Is the light output from those things so tremendous that it justifies the price tag? I mean, will we be able to see the mirror reflectors on the moon when we crawl a boulder and point skyward? I like the idea of the led bar as opposed to two or four "normal" lights, but I guess I never knew the huge price gap between the two, and before I shell out that kind of scratch I'd want to know it was money well spent.

Also, it appears rigid has a 40" bar? (which is considerably cheaper than the two you considered) Or are they developing a new one that willbe more comparable to your new purchase?

Yep, they aren't cheap but the latest and greatest technologies usually aren't. But when you compare normal lights, I guess you mean halogen, and it would take a whole bunch of halogen lights to get the same light output as the LEDS. I'm not sure what the cost per Lumen is but these put out 14,000 lumens.

What's so good about the LED light bars is they are small and light with low power consumption/low amperage .The 40 inch light bar from Baja Designs is only 1 1/2" tall and weighs 6 1/2 lbs..I wouldn't even venture to guess how much the equivalent of halogen lights would weigh and the power consumed to equal the same light output as the LEDs.Probably 8 halogens or 4 HID's to get this much light.

As far as Rigid Industries having 40 inch light bars ,that's true but they are using old tech.double rowed 3 watt LED's still on the "E Series". It's more then twice as big,like 3 1/2" tall, as the Baja Designs for the same lumens. Where Vision X and Baja Designs is using the newer Cree XP-G LED'S that are 5 and 10 watt

Rigid is supposed to come out with their new "Paramount" Series light bars using the new 5 watt Cree's any day now(I called them 10 times and just went with BD instead). Watch the SEMA video on Rigids site,with the Aussie girl, and you will see them, and they say supposed to be out 1st quarter of 2011. Not!

Vision X has the new 10watt LED's in the EVO Primes but they are big too and more expensive. I liked the BD's for their Stealth design.

I got them yesterday and hooked them up last night to test them. I will do the final wiring this weekend if I can find the time.These are so bright I think I seriuously got retina burns just playing with them last night in my garage. The strobe function is pretty wild.It's looks like them strobes at the end of a runway.

Here's some pics.....
These are 1 1/2" tall so imagine putting ones that are over twice that tall up there. I was going to get the new Vision X Primes as they are 10 watt LED'S but they are 3 inches tall.

 

[SeattleMike]

Here's some pics.....
These are 1 1/2" tall so imagine putting ones that are over twice that tall up there. I was going to get the new Vision X Primes as they are 10 watt LED'S but they are 3 inches tall.

So they are smaller than VisionX Primes, less expensive, use less power, and are (according to the website) user configurable for spot/flood/dimmer? I think we need a full review thread, man. :biggrin2:

 

[Mudcat]

Awesome write-up.

Thanks for the informative post. Can't wait to see some pictures of the lights in action.

Bummer that I'll have to add another fistful of dollars onto the mod list, though!

 

[BFLAN]

Harper7,

That is one sweet set up!!!

I love that light bar.

 

[reklov]

Gobi released 5th gen ladder

New Gobi Ladder. Not sure if it will work with baja rack.

 

[TOYSTRY]

New Gobi Ladder. Not sure if it will work with baja rack.

Looks nice.........only thing I see that may cause problems is scratching/denting your rear gate on that first step. It's awfully close to the sheet metal with little room to get your foot onto for grip.

 

[DHeuschele]

Gobi sunroof insert picture

There is lots of good info here. When I do the comparison I lean towards Gobi even though BajaRack is local.

The price by the time the mesh is included on the Baja rack is virtually the same for the full length low profile models.

Therefore I am trying to get some information on the Gobi sunroof insert. Does anyone have one of these? Can someone post some pictures and/or comments? What is the price?

To give Baja Rack the same opportunity ...
Does Baja Rack have a sunroof insert? Does someone have one? Can someone post some pictures and/or comments? What is the price?

I love the idea that it is an insert as most of the time I will not need the addition footage on the rack and will like to use the sunroof. However, I would like to get that additonal footage if I need it such as long expeditions away from civilization (I do at least one such trip every year, quite remote (over 1 hour away from nearest gas station) for >1 week).

 

[Ghost Runner]

We are currently debating gobi vs baha basket vs baha flat

Please post: pics of ski box/thule/whatever on any of these racks. Has anyone mounted a thule style box on the flat rack? I was thinking you might need some spacers for cross bars to provide room for the ski box hardware.

How about pics of the flat rack with stuff on it? Has anyone put a jerry can or a bunch of stuff on flat baha? Feed back would be apreceated now that some of you have had your racks for a while.

Can you get removable sides for the flat baha?

Last question....does the Gobi stealths light bar go higher then the back part of the rack?...it appears so which would jeopordize canoe use, which is important to my family.

 

[Jessrin]

I can't believe how nice those Long Baja Racks are. I own a 2010 SR5 4Runner 4x4 and looking at putting one of these on. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and get out running around the back wood with it. I would like the more room for storage. What is the weight rating for one of those racks? I also see where one of you guys added the mesh floor too.. Did you have to call Baja Rack to order that then? Thanks

 

[brockeverly]

We are currently debating gobi vs baha basket vs baha flat

Please post: pics of ski box/thule/whatever on any of these racks. Has anyone mounted a thule style box on the flat rack? I was thinking you might need some spacers for cross bars to provide room for the ski box hardware.

How about pics of the flat rack with stuff on it? Has anyone put a jerry can or a bunch of stuff on flat baha? Feed back would be apreceated now that some of you have had your racks for a while.

Can you get removable sides for the flat baha?

Last question....does the Gobi stealths light bar go higher then the back part of the rack?...it appears so which would jeopordize canoe use, which is important to my family.

Doubtful that one of the Thule boxes would work on the Baja Utility rack without fabrication as the clamps that hold it would not have the space. Here is my Baja Utility loaded with a tent, gas can, and storm case full of luggage.

I love this rack!

 

[brockeverly]

I can't believe how nice those Long Baja Racks are. I own a 2010 SR5 4Runner 4x4 and looking at putting one of these on. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and get out running around the back wood with it. I would like the more room for storage. What is the weight rating for one of those racks? I also see where one of you guys added the mesh floor too.. Did you have to call Baja Rack to order that then? Thanks

Weight rating is 300# in motion and 600# static. (This is off every other manufacturer as, last I knew, Baja doesn't advertise any weight limits). I regularly have 300+ on mine when loading and I have had no issues.

As for the mesh floor, you can call and add it. IMO the bars will be better long term though.

 

[brockeverly]

There is lots of good info here. When I do the comparison I lean towards Gobi even though BajaRack is local.

The price by the time the mesh is included on the Baja rack is virtually the same for the full length low profile models.

Therefore I am trying to get some information on the Gobi sunroof insert. Does anyone have one of these? Can someone post some pictures and/or comments? What is the price?

To give Baja Rack the same opportunity ...
Does Baja Rack have a sunroof insert? Does someone have one? Can someone post some pictures and/or comments? What is the price?

I love the idea that it is an insert as most of the time I will not need the addition footage on the rack and will like to use the sunroof. However, I would like to get that additonal footage if I need it such as long expeditions away from civilization (I do at least one such trip every year, quite remote (over 1 hour away from nearest gas station) for >1 week).

Baja is making an insert now. I will post pics when I receive mine

 

[limamike]

Baja is making an insert now. I will post pics when I receive mine

Did they send pics of the insert to you? If so, can you post them, please? Thanks!

 

[Stifler]

personally I don't think anything compares to the fit and finish of the Gobi.... despite their slower production and less than stellar customer service I am going with the Gobi. Question for those that have the ladder... does it really work as a ladder? I mean is it going to hold 200lbs climbing up and down?

 

[limamike]

personally I don't think anything compares to the fit and finish of the Gobi.... despite their slower production and less than stellar customer service I am going with the Gobi. Question for those that have the ladder... does it really work as a ladder? I mean is it going to hold 200lbs climbing up and down?

That's just like your opinion, man. The BajaRack is good quality. I walk around up on my BR all day long without worrying. I have the Gobi ladder, and yes, it works as a ladder without issue. I climb on it all the time and it doesn't budge.