Cargo box + Satellite radio antenna ?

[GP_Pete]

Hi everyone,
I searched and search and could not find an answer for a few questions. I've been researching here and other places and decided to buy a Yakima Skybox 16 (regular - not the Pro). Had 'em on Amazon for $414 plus free shipping.

First - what is the experience of everyone with the factory satellite antenna being interfered with?
1. Is the reception impaired with the box hanging over, or so close to it?
2. Do the boxes hit the antenna when using factory cross bars?

Yes, I have the factory cross bars. This might change in the future, but for now I'm going to give it a shot. Any insight from people with similar setups I'd really appreciate. The box should arrive next week. I'll try to post pictures.

Pete

 

[derekmclee]

Rof Box for 2010/2011 4runner

Hi,

If you want to find a right roof box for 2010/2011 4runner, it will be a big headache for you. I have my 2010 4runner (limited) which a big "shark fin" sattellite anntena on the top of the roof. It is definitely a design problem from Toyota.

I have been looking for a roof box fit on the top, however, I don't want to create any potential risk to damage the "big shark fin" anntenna.

I went to a number of shops (RackAttack, Road N Rack,.....) to seek for their ideas. They really don't have a idea to find a right box fit on my 4runner. They said the smallest Thule 16 could fit on the top. But I want the biggest size (e.g. 21 cubic foot).

I also notice that Yakima MAY fit since it has a angle slope at the back of the box, hope, it can avoid damage to the anntenna.

Is there anyone really install any Thule, Yakima roof box successfully ? What is the model number of the roof box? Can you send some pictures?

[email protected]

 

[Notorocaca]

The other question would be, is there a way to replace the "shark fin" with something a bit more low profile like the ones on the 4th gen, which is basically flat? Maybe a "guppy fin"???

:boxer:

 

[Grape Ape]

I carry paddle boards on my rack all the time and the boards always sit over the antenna and I have never had an issue with fit or reception.

 

[pghryder]

I don't know how much this will help. I just mounted up my Sky box 16 tonight. (I'm very happy. I can open the rear door w/out any issues).

I am not using the factory cross bars.

I am using the Yakima round cross bars with the rail grabs. It clears my shark fin fine because there is a channel in the back of the box.

I'm not sure what the height difference is using the factory vs. aftermarket cross bars.

As far as reception, I did not see a difference.

 

[GP_Pete]

I don't know how much this will help. I just mounted up my Sky box 16 tonight. (I'm very happy. I can open the rear door w/out any issues).

I am not using the factory cross bars.

I am using the Yakima round cross bars with the rail grabs. It clears my shark fin fine because there is a channel in the back of the box.

I'm not sure what the height difference is using the factory vs. aftermarket cross bars.

As far as reception, I did not see a difference.

Thanks. How far above the factory side rails does the bottom of the box sit (if the top Plane of the rails was '0"'

 

[pghryder]

I'll check it out in the morning (it's 11pm) and let you know.

 

[wanderer33y]

May have missed a point here, and sorry if i did. However Bajarack and Gobi make a complete rack that works around the shark fin antenna.

 

[pghryder]

The OP is trying to stay with the stock cross bars and a Yakima Skybox 16 vs. making more of an investment right now.

 

[GP_Pete]

The OP is trying to stay with the stock cross bars and a Yakima Skybox 16 vs. making more of an investment right now.

Yes, that's correct - the OP (Me) actually has already purchased the Skybox 16 and it should be arriving this week. If I can use my factory cross bars, I will, if not, I will have to break down and buy the Yakima cross bars.

The only things I need to carry up top are fishing gear and baby stuff... and dog stuff.... and my wife's huge suitcase that takes up a entire seat.

I need more room, that's the point. Anyways, I will report when I get it up there....

 

[Isk@k2]

We just put our box on top for first time this weekend. Since it was hitting the antenna, we had to put on our Yakima cross bars to raise the height so it would no longer hit. The reception was horrible and we had no radio for most of the trip. Also, even when we maxed out the distance between cross bars, the rear door would always touch the box which meant we had to stick something there to get into the back. Very poor design!

 

[2010riddle]

Yeah I don't know if it's the box design as much as it the darn factory rails only run up to mid-way past the passenger window not to mention the large SR5/Limited trim piece that keeps the Yakima rail grabs a good 2" back from the furthest rail position. The setback rails combined with the spoiler means I've got a $600 Packasport carrier that's just sitting in the garage. Waiting until I can save up for a Baja rack or I can pick up a Trail rack for a REASONABLE price...either way it's a bummer.

 

[desertred]

SeattleMike actually reduced his antenna to about half of its original height and experienced an improvement in the reception. Here's a link to his post the describes the process that he used.

 

[ragde11]

THULE 686XT ATLANTIS 1600 providing up to 16 cubic feet of cargo space. It fits and it didn't enterfere the antenna.

 

[jhgnag]

Has anyone tried an Atlantis 1800?

 

[GP_Pete]

Hi everyone,

So my Yakima skybox 16 arrived. Not trying to do a product review, just how it works with the limited T4R. I'll try to post some photos sunday. here's the highlights:

1. the Skybox 16 (at 81" long) is as long as I'd want a box on top of the 4runner. with the factory bars. the front bar is all the way forward, the rear about 8 inches from the back. this allows the box to have about 1" of clearance from the spoiler when the tailgate is open. that's it. 1".

2. The yakima quick-connect hooks DO indeed touch the roof when you are sliding them under the factory bars. Once you secure them and tighten them down, they have about an inch or so between them and the roof. They are plastic and I did not see any scratches from them, but will have to check in brighter sunlight.

3. The box in the position i described above DOES NOT hit the satellite antenna shark-fin. It has several inches all around it. Now, I have not had a chance to test the reception. that will be sunday most likely. it does arch over top of the antenna, so we will see.

Until I test drive it, that's about it. As far as the box goes, it looks like a $414 piece of plastic on my roof. Necessary evil. But definitely better than the old fiberglass monster-boxes our parents had in the 70's on top of the family wagon!!!!

 

[derekmclee]

Yakima Skybox 16s (Black Color) Installed

Hi Everybody,

I finally bought Yakima Skybox 16s (black) from a reseller in Oregon. They have 20% discount, I paid $368 only, they also help me to check if this works and put it on the roof for me.

I have 2010 4runner (imited model) of orginal Toyota cross bars. These Toyota cross bars have small clearance between the bar and the roof. I installed the Yakima box very hard to avoid scratches on the roof. You better put a rubber mat on the roof before install it for the first time to prevent scratches.

I upload some pictures so that you know more. You can see that I put some "pad" to prevent the Yakima clamp to touch the roof.

When I open the tail gate, the spoiler touch a very little of the box. It is acceptable, does not hurt anything on the spoiler at all.

The big "Shark Fin" still have 1 inches between the box and itself. I also put a "pad" to prevent it the potential scratches.

For sattellite reception after puting on the box, there is no interference at all. I drove all the way from Oregon to California and turned on XM radio for 4 days test. The radio is clear all the way on highway. It just looks the same as before.

There is no wind noise in highway (I drove 75 mph, 130KM per hr). The box is still very stable on the top.

The major concern of using Yakima or Thule on 4runner, it is very very difficult for you to install it without scratching the roof !!!!! You need to put a thin rubber mat on the roof before you install it. In long term, you need to put on something (e.g. 3M protection film) to avoid scatches.

I don't recommend anyone to purchase orginal Toyota cross bar since it has lots of problem to install roof box due to low roof clearance between the bar and the box.

This is a definetly design problem that Toyota does not think much detail of the usabilty of such cross bars.

The good thing of the cross bar is just to fit into the rack and it makes the roof has lower centre of gravity together with the car.

Hope this give some ideas of those want to purchase roof box.

Derek

 

[mbskoda]

thule

mine worked great and there was enough clearance for satellite antenna. ( Daytona beach trip)also plenty of clearance for the tail to open

 

[derekmclee]

Roof Box Works Well Only in Non-Toyota cross bars

Hello,

There reason why it works so well in your 4runner is because you used Non-Toyota cross bars. These kinds of cross bars has highter roof clearance (i.e. the length between roof top and the bottom of the cross bars), therefore, you can easily slides the box into it.

So, don't buy Toyota cross bars which creates problem in most cases.

 

[mbskoda]

you are 100% wright, I purchased Thule crossbars