DIY: Gobi Stealth Roof Rack/Ladder Install
- Thread starter W8kbrder
- Start date
Gobi Stealth rack
I ordered my Gobi Stealth rack about a week ago from Trail Duty and they said it "should be" 6 weeks. I was amazed that for $1595 they threw in the ladder, wind screen and heavy duty lift gate struts - plus free shipping.
I am excited to get the rack on my 2015 TRD Pro and install my roof top tent and my awning. After reading several threads, I think I am going to mount the roof top tent near the front of the rack and put my big Pelican cases, water and gas Jerry cans on the rear so that I can access them from the ladder. I will post pics when things are set up and in use.
I am really loving this truck and so glad that I got rid of my 07 Tacoma. My Tacomas frame was pretty badly rusted and this was the second Tacoma with that problem. I am finding that the Tacomas are built cheaply compared to the 4Runner. A couple of my friends have newer Tacomas and they seem to be looser feeling and cheaply built. This TRD Pro 4Runner is a beast and gets better gas mileage than my Tacoma.
Pics later.
Sno Dawg
I ordered my Gobi Stealth rack about a week ago from Trail Duty and they said it "should be" 6 weeks. I was amazed that for $1595 they threw in the ladder, wind screen and heavy duty lift gate struts - plus free shipping.
I am excited to get the rack on my 2015 TRD Pro and install my roof top tent and my awning. After reading several threads, I think I am going to mount the roof top tent near the front of the rack and put my big Pelican cases, water and gas Jerry cans on the rear so that I can access them from the ladder. I will post pics when things are set up and in use.
I am really loving this truck and so glad that I got rid of my 07 Tacoma. My Tacomas frame was pretty badly rusted and this was the second Tacoma with that problem. I am finding that the Tacomas are built cheaply compared to the 4Runner. A couple of my friends have newer Tacomas and they seem to be looser feeling and cheaply built. This TRD Pro 4Runner is a beast and gets better gas mileage than my Tacoma.
Pics later.
Sno Dawg
Last edited:
Trail-AMMO
New member
Sno,
I wouldn't hold your breath on 6weeks... I'd put money on double that number, I'm on week 12, going into 13. Set to arrive this Tuesday, we will see...
That said I've been directly in touch with Gobi daily, and everyone there has told me the same, they are slammed and running behind.
Best of luck.
-A
BigDave301
New member
Great write up, this will be my next purchase.
For those of you with the Gobi, can anyone help me determine what hardware/tape pads, etc I would want to acquire for installation of a used rack?
Im picking up a used rack, and want to make sure the install is as clean and close to a new rack install as possible. I talked to someone at Gobi, and she seemed confused about what they could sell me, and im imagining whatever they put together (waiting on call back from them) it is going to cost a bit.
Hopefully someone here has a good idea of the specific pieces they would want new if installing a used rack. Would i be able to find specific parts from Home Depot that would work just as well?
thanks for any help anyone might have!
Im picking up a used rack, and want to make sure the install is as clean and close to a new rack install as possible. I talked to someone at Gobi, and she seemed confused about what they could sell me, and im imagining whatever they put together (waiting on call back from them) it is going to cost a bit.
Hopefully someone here has a good idea of the specific pieces they would want new if installing a used rack. Would i be able to find specific parts from Home Depot that would work just as well?
thanks for any help anyone might have!
I do not recall the specific sizes but you can find the stainless hardware (where the rack mounts to the feet) at ACE. I had to replace one of my bolts and was able to get it there.
appreciate the info. I think the bolts etc. will be fine to reuse, its mainly any type of gaskets, or tape that Im mostly thinking would be best to replace. Just not exactly sure what pieces come with the rack...
Trail-AMMO
New member
It's going to be hard to say what you need until you have the rack and can take inventory of what you got...
That said, as long as you get the "feet / brackets" everything else can be found at a hdw store or online.
-A
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
I just finished installing mine last night, and wanted to say that this thread was a huge help! I printed out the original post so I could easily follow along during the install.
Now that I have the rack, sliders, and BFG KO2 tires, that pretty much is last of my major mods, at least for now. In less than two weeks I'll be taking the 4Runner on my annual Mojave/Nevada camping and off-road trip, exploring old mines and ghost towns. So I'll see then how it well it does. The only other possible mods I might do would be upgraded skids, and maybe a slight lift or stiffer springs (for heavy loads). But that will have to wait.
Now that I have the rack, sliders, and BFG KO2 tires, that pretty much is last of my major mods, at least for now. In less than two weeks I'll be taking the 4Runner on my annual Mojave/Nevada camping and off-road trip, exploring old mines and ghost towns. So I'll see then how it well it does. The only other possible mods I might do would be upgraded skids, and maybe a slight lift or stiffer springs (for heavy loads). But that will have to wait.
sting555
Member
Installed mine this weekend
I ordered my Gobi Stealth on 5/14 from Trail Duty. Received it on 8/17.
The quality is top notch and the install went smooth. I read this thread in preparation and then just followed the included instructions.
The front feet with the sticky tape on the bottom are my biggest concern. I fear that they will dent or scratch the paint over time. The thin foam sticky tape doesn't seem like sufficient paint protection from the metal feet. The flat bottom of the feet sit on the corner of the roofline where it meets the recessed gutter/channel. In other words, the feet do not sit against a flat surface. Maybe a solution would be to create a rubber spacer that's shaped to fit where the bracket sits.
I ordered my Gobi Stealth on 5/14 from Trail Duty. Received it on 8/17.
The quality is top notch and the install went smooth. I read this thread in preparation and then just followed the included instructions.
The front feet with the sticky tape on the bottom are my biggest concern. I fear that they will dent or scratch the paint over time. The thin foam sticky tape doesn't seem like sufficient paint protection from the metal feet. The flat bottom of the feet sit on the corner of the roofline where it meets the recessed gutter/channel. In other words, the feet do not sit against a flat surface. Maybe a solution would be to create a rubber spacer that's shaped to fit where the bracket sits.
jimster716
New member
How long did the install take? Mine arrives Wednesday afternoon so I'm taking some time off to be home for delivery and perhaps installation. My 5'-1" wife may have to help me with the rack over truck part. Hahaha
CrazyMike
Member
Yeah, those same spots are making me nervous as well. The only redeeming fact is that I've not come across anywhere where someone's complained about damage occurring there.
CF_Machete
Senior Member
I used to fly RC Helicopters and would sometimes use gel tape to dampen gyro electronics. The tape comes in a variety of thicknesses and might provide a bit more protection than 3M tape, but 'm not sure how well it would weather over time exposed to the elements.
Lynx Omicron Double Sided Gyro Pad Vibe Killer Tape LX5501 | eBay
From my reading on here there are several accounts of damage, I'm also under the understanding there was some sort of redesign of the feet that sat more inside the rain channel or am I thinking about the Baja rack?
I'm very close to pulling the trigger on one of the Gobi no rise racks for my SR5 along with the ladder and sunroof insert. I have no desire for any led lights or anything like that but want to be able to use a full size Yakima Rocketbox 21 on one side with a Yakima folding kayak rack on the other side with some room in the middle to slide in an ez up and rod holders. I am still doing some research on whether I will need wider bars to accommodate both and still have room in the middle as well as how to fit wider bars onto the Gobi rack.
CF_Machete
Senior Member
You're thinking about the Baja rack
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/219380-advisory-baja-racks.html
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
I took the stock rack off the day before. Did the install the next evening. Took a few hours, but I tend to work slow. I had two neighbors help me lift the rack onto the truck and it still was kind of tricky. Somehow we avoided damage from the front feet, but in hindsight I would recommend wrapping them with some cloth just to be safe.
The whole install, including the ladder, was really pretty straight-forward. The step-by-step someone posted here really helped.
The whole install, including the ladder, was really pretty straight-forward. The step-by-step someone posted here really helped.
sting555
Member
The front feet on my rack are the same as pictured in this thread. I have zero knowledge of the Baja Rack's mounting system.
I removed the factory rack the day before. I had 3 other guys help me lift it onto the roof. It was tricky because the rack is narrower than the truck and you have to be able to reach up and over the roof. I had to jump up onto the rock slider to hold the front of the rack up and avoid the feet from gouging the paint. remember to take your belt off. You'll be sliding down the side of the truck. My Dad and I did the install in about 2 hours. I did the fairing install myself in about 15 minutes.
