Deciding between Bajarack Utility and Front Runner racks

sleevefullofaces

sleevefullofaces

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I had the Bajarack on my FJ and loved it but I'm liking the looks and accessories that Front Runner offers. I'm hoping people on here can share some of their experience to help me decide.

First, I have a moon roof. It looks like you can't use the wind deflector on the Front Runner with a moon roof? How's the noise with the roof open?

The Utility Rack was pretty much silent on my FJ, how is it on a 4runner with the roof open?

Anybody carried full sheets of drywall on a Front Runner?

Finally, anybody mount an awning on the 3/4 length Front Runner?

Thanks :yo:
 
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Front runner is by far a higher quality rack if you actually plan to use it for a rack. If you want a look, Baja is ok, but the pc on mine is crap. I have a front runner on my 80 and am seriously considering swapping over to the front runner on my runner. Someone managed to do a full length one on theirs with some fabbed front supports... I'd be tempted to go that route myself but I'm undecided. Front runner accessories can't be beat. I have the tent mounting system, water canister and multiple quick tie downs. The best is the alum table though! I love it. Front runner is as quiet as the baja.

Utility rack on the runner is nearly silent ameven with the sunroof open. It's a good shape/design but weak steel and horrid PC.

No drywall but have done full sheets of plywood on my front runner.
 
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I have the baja flat with short side rails. No additional wind noise with roof open. Agree with Bimrunner the PC is not good. Has faded significantly and now more grey than black. That said I do like the rack. Bungee cord and spider web hooks are to small to fit over the side rail tubing so have to be a little more creative in timing things down. If like baja and want better PC suggest get bare metal and either paint yourself or have PC'd locally. Build quality on mine seems to be fine and rack meets all my needs, just the PC quality. Luck on decision.
 
Another Option

Just throwing this out there; I picked up the Eezi-Awn 1.6m K-9 Rack (they have full length as well). Quality is awesome. comes in one piece so no assembly of the rack itself is required and also nothing to come loose later on. Tons of accessories, I picked up the hi-lift, shovel and double Jerry can mounts. Pic after install

Eezi-Awn K9 Toyota 4Runner Roof Racks | Equipt Expedition Outfitters
 

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Front Runner

I've had 3/4 Front Runner Rack installed on my 2014 Trail Edition for 1 year. Ive used it all last summer for roof top tent and all winter for snowboards (mounts from front runner as well). It is a truly great rack.......however.

I now have ordered Gobi Rack with the rear ladder. Mostly because of looks. I love the full length and rear ladder look with nice flaring at the front.

Biggest thing I did not like about front runner rack: Super noisy with a roof top tent at highway speeds and the abrupt 3/4 look.

Biggest thing I liked is the stainless steel table mount underneath. So handy when camping. Superb quality. However I will see if I can keep the slides and modify then into the GOBI roof rack so I can still use my front runner stainless steel table.
 
Thanks everybody. That full length Front Runner looks great. The K9 too.

ETA: I've sent an email to Front Runner to see about a full length rack with an opening for the sun roof.
 
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by all means give it a go.... they cited insufficient support in forward part of the roof and lack of mounting provisions. Well aware that Gobi and Baja are doing it without issue.
 
Yes, I have emailed them before asking why not a full length and they were in strong opinion that the front legs not being bolted down will cause "flapping" around and will compromise the rigidity/life of the roof rack. Then again, BAJA, GOBI and others are doing it so I don't know what their deal......:nerd:
 
I've been doing this comparison myself. On another thread, a poster mentioned that his rack was not fully PC'ed, and he found rust spots on his roof. There's also a weight difference (65 lbs Baja 3/4 vs. 51 lbs Frontrunner).
 
I contacted FrontRunner recently and they said they do not make a full rack for the 5th gen yet. The 3/4 FrontRunner rack looks odd, does not flow right IMO.

They said they will be releasing a FULL FrontRunner rack for the 5th gen in the future, but they could not tell me when.

Unless its a FULL front runner rack go with them since the 3/4 one is kind of useless (to me).
 
It sounds like we need to show FrontRunner that there is some interest in the full length. Maybe that way production might be made a higher priority for them.
 
For another option - Take a look at www.prinsudesignstudio.com

Zach just finished up the first couple full-length racks for the 4Runner. I'm doing the instal on mine this weekend. The cross rails are 80/20 TSLOTS extrusions so they offer unlimited possibilities for attaching anything.

I'll post a few pictures once it is installed.
 
Rtar said:
For another option - Take a look at www.prinsudesignstudio.com

Zach just finished up the first couple full-length racks for the 4Runner. I'm doing the instal on mine this weekend. The cross rails are 80/20 TSLOTS extrusions so they offer unlimited possibilities for attaching anything.

I'll post a few pictures once it is installed.
Click to expand...

Very interested in seeing these pics. Zach emailed me and told me he was close.
 
Over the Sharkfin?

Plano26 said:
Just throwing this out there; I picked up the Eezi-Awn 1.6m K-9 Rack (they have full length as well). Quality is awesome. comes in one piece so no assembly of the rack itself is required and also nothing to come loose later on. Tons of accessories, I picked up the hi-lift, shovel and double Jerry can mounts. Pic after install

Eezi-Awn K9 Toyota 4Runner Roof Racks | Equipt Expedition Outfitters
Click to expand...

I couldn't quite tell but do you have it mounted that high to clear the sharkfin? Could it be mounted tighter to the roof?
 
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