Deciding between Bajarack Utility and Front Runner racks

Looks like you could have a full length rack, and leave out a few cross bars to maintain the opening above the moonroof.
I like this rack, and since Front Runner does not seem interested in gaining more customers by offering a full length rack, Zack just might have a winner here!
 
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.

Holy cow... I was thinking baja rack with a spy light system, but this has me totally reconsidering.:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:
 
I went with the Bajarack Flat Utility rack and really like it. I personally like the round tubular look and think it blends in great with the bodylines. I've used mine to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood, all sorts of lumber up to 12', pipe etc without issue and is why I needed the full flat surface. Just makes carrying random stuff easy.

Opening for the sunroof works as expected. There is an increase in wind noise over just stock side bars, but sunroof open doesn't make much difference and doesn't have any weird buffeting or anything... I ride with mine either tilted or slid back almost daily.

Construction is great on mine, no complaints and install was easy. I would agree though that the powder coat will need addressing at some point. It's got a nice textured finish to it, but it has started to fade a little bit after only 6 months. I'm planning to investigate coating it in a bedliner material at some point but not a priority as it looks fine at this point.

I'll attach a pic front and back.

Well, just some random thoughts, I'd buy it again, but being I needed a flat full rack, there weren't a lot of choices. Plus, snagged this one from Southeast Overland and the owner actually delivered it to me on his way to an expo... talk about great service ha :yo:

Good luck in your search!
 

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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.

why does it have to be about political correctness?

you an Jblick are why I am going with Frontrunner when the time comes. I have seen the modded full length on a 5th gen.... which lead me to this: Field Tested: Eezi-Awn?s New K9 Roof Rack | Expedition Portal

i saw a 4th gen with a full length one on it and my pants got wet. i looked high and low and came to the some conclusion that they arnt made, and eazi-awn and front runner are *****es.

all that said, I'm also not into how high it sits off of the roof line. if i got my hands on one custom brackets would be in order regardless to suck that ***** down as far as it could go. sasha grey style.
 
Pelfrey off-road is offering 10% off frontrunner racks and free shipping to lower 48 until the end of the month. They posted on facebook today.
 
why does it have to be about political correctness?



i saw a 4th gen with a full length one on it and my pants got wet. i looked high and low and came to the some conclusion that they arnt made, and eazi-awn and front runner are *****es.

all that said, I'm also not into how high it sits off of the roof line. if i got my hands on one custom brackets would be in order regardless to suck that ***** down as far as it could go. sasha grey style.

They both sit high so you can store a table under them or other crap, ain't always about looks they are made to be functional. Sasha can always be more user friendly ya know! Living on the Texas coast I like the fact that front runner uses stainless steel for the mounting rails. Even in areas where the paint has been knocked off it has yet to rust. Here is mine with the expo rails looks better than just the flat set up in my opinion..

 
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They both sit high so you can store a table under them or other crap, ain't always about looks they are made to be functional. Sasha can always be more user friendly ya know! Living on the Texas coast I like the fact that front runner uses stainless steel for the mounting rails. Even in areas where the paint has been knocked off it has yet to rust. Here is mine with the expo rails looks better than just the flat set up in my opinion..


i have no need to store anything below deck. my goal is to get it as close to the roof line as possible
 
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?

Ya, like Greenamphibious said it's adjustable; I could bring it down a couple of inches and still have room for the fin...but I also don't listen to Sat; so might do the fin delete so I could lower more. What I'm pleasantly surprised about the 3/4 rack is that it really pushes the air into the cabin when the sunroof is open..I suppose this could be a good or bad thing depending on your preference but I like it.

One reason I went for the 3/4 is that the full totally covers up the sunroof and me misses said "Hell no!" (only two things she wanted in the runner was heated seats (yes we use them in AZ in the winter, well I do) and a sunroof) so that nixed that. Plus I like the 3/4 look.
 
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.

The more I look at these the better they look.

Please do post pics!
 
I started another thread for this that will include an install. After this i'm done hijacking this thread ;)
 

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I started another thread for this that will include an install. After this i'm done hijacking this thread ;)

That's not a hijack at all. Great pics! I'm excited to see the finished product.

I see you're from slo. I lived on Chorro st when I was a kid. Beautiful area!
 
clearance

I went with the Bajarack Flat Utility rack and really like it. I personally like the round tubular look and think it blends in great with the bodylines. I've used mine to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood, all sorts of lumber up to 12', pipe etc without issue and is why I needed the full flat surface. Just makes carrying random stuff easy.

Opening for the sunroof works as expected. There is an increase in wind noise over just stock side bars, but sunroof open doesn't make much difference and doesn't have any weird buffeting or anything... I ride with mine either tilted or slid back almost daily.

Construction is great on mine, no complaints and install was easy. I would agree though that the powder coat will need addressing at some point. It's got a nice textured finish to it, but it has started to fade a little bit after only 6 months. I'm planning to investigate coating it in a bedliner material at some point but not a priority as it looks fine at this point.

I'll attach a pic front and back.

Well, just some random thoughts, I'd buy it again, but being I needed a flat full rack, there weren't a lot of choices. Plus, snagged this one from Southeast Overland and the owner actually delivered it to me on his way to an expo... talk about great service ha :yo:

Good luck in your search!

Hey dude I want to purchase one like that but my concern is clearance. What is measurement from the roof to top of the rack front & rear. My garage door is very limited. Thanx
 
So I bought my Front Runner Rack a couple months ago and they said they now offer three Rack lengths. See this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/208375-front-runner-rack-options.html

They offer three lengths. I went with the mid length one, which is about 8" longer than the standard (3/4) one listed on their website. Then they also now have a full length one. You just need to call them to get the other two length options. They are not listed on the website.

Wind noise with mine is not an issue. there is a little extra noise at highway speeds but I don't notice it anymore. I don't have nay experience with the Baja but I can say the Front Runner seems to be really nicely made. People are constantly telling me what a nice rack I have!
 

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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.

Old post I know, but any updates on trying to mount the front runner table rails to the gobi rack?
 

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