Ease of assembly roof gear question

[BobWheelerJr]

Well, I feel like I've pissed away some money and am looking for an alternative.

I kept the stock rails, added OMAC cross bars, and put a basket on top for camping trips. Intended to remove the basket for kayaking trips and just suffer through the bags being in the truck.

It's just way too damned tall. I have to remove the basket constantly because the T4R is lifted and the crossbars add height, and I can't get into any commercial lot with a clearance sign. It's a pain in the ass and I'm ready for it to go. On top of that it's a Limited with a bunch of chrome which I've blacked out, and the rails are chrome (which I'd like to see blacked out as well).

Anyway, I'd like a system that replaces the stock rails (with no drilling), and has multiple crossbars, in a low profile system that isn't stupid hard to install or crazy expensive. I'll use it to mount the basket (maybe, or to just use a gear bag directly on the platform if I think it's workable).

I've got a sunroof so something that has a gap for that would be great. If not, no huge loss.

I've seen lots of ads and searched the hell out of google and so forth, but I don't put anything on this truck without asking y'all.

Anybody have anything similar that didn't require an engineering background or break the bank?

 

[ElectroBoy]

Well, I feel like I've pissed away some money and am looking for an alternative.

I kept the stock rails, added OMAC cross bars, and put a basket on top for camping trips. Intended to remove the basket for kayaking trips and just suffer through the bags being in the truck.

It's just way too damned tall. I have to remove the basket constantly because the T4R is lifted and the crossbars add height, and I can't get into any commercial lot with a clearance sign. It's a pain in the ass and I'm ready for it to go. On top of that it's a Limited with a bunch of chrome which I've blacked out, and the rails are chrome (which I'd like to see blacked out as well).

Anyway, I'd like a system that replaces the stock rails (with no drilling), and has multiple crossbars, in a low profile system that isn't stupid hard to install or crazy expensive. I'll use it to mount the basket (maybe, or to just use a gear bag directly on the platform if I think it's workable).

I've got a sunroof so something that has a gap for that would be great. If not, no huge loss.

I've seen lots of ads and searched the hell out of google and so forth, but I don't put anything on this truck without asking y'all.

Anybody have anything similar that didn't require an engineering background or break the bank?

See if this is what you need. NiseRack, by a forum member.

5th Gen Aluminum Roof Rack Using OEM Siderails: NiseRack

 

[simonov]

This seems to be what you are looking for: 5th Gen Aluminum Roof Rack Using OEM Siderails: NiseRack

I e-mailed the guy around New Year's and haven't heard back. He's just getting over COVID.

I've been playing with a simpler design that uses laser-cut 1/4 inc steel brackets and 3x1 80/20. I'm going to do a test fit tomorrow when some hardware comes in from McMaster-Carr.

 

[a2marian]

Hey, check these out from Greenlane Offroad.

FACTORY ROOF RACK CROSS BAR REPLACEMENT — GREENLANE OFF-ROAD

I have their aluminum side steps and can say their craftsmanship is top-notch.

 

[BobWheelerJr]

I dig those crossbars, but I've got a jones for getting rid of the factory rails. I'm looking at a few different ones, and I think if I don't get some screaming recommendations otherwise I'm going with either SSO or LFD Offroad. I worry about leaks, but I think I can whip that.

 

[Old Tanker]

I have purchased from both Sherpa (rack) and LFD (bumper). Quick follow-ups to my questions from both companies. I wouldn't hesitate to do business again with either company.

 

[fkheath]

Keep the factory side rails and add more cross bars. You can add as many as you can fit on, then don't use a basket, just your bag.

 

[BobWheelerJr]

Keep the factory side rails and add more cross bars. You can add as many as you can fit on, then don't use a basket, just your bag.

I would, but the chrome looks shitty with the rest of the truck blacked out.

 

[HanginInUtah]

I would, but the chrome looks shitty with the rest of the truck blacked out.

I've used the LFD crossbars with my stock rails. So, add me to the list of approvals for their stuff.

I would say that it might be cheaper, less likely to leak, to take the rails off and have them painted by your favorite local bodyshop. That's assuming you have one, and they know what they're doing, but with those assumptions they would prep them and could shoot them gloss/matte/whatever black you'd like, and then you have the factory fit.

I know there are probably plenty of posts on here, or youtube videos, or tiktok mashups that could show me how to do that myself, but I would rather have a professional finish and not screw it up so I can do it over in a year or two.

 

[simonov]

I worry about leaks, but I think I can whip that.

I have a general approach to life: do not drill holes in roofs if it can possibly be avoided. This is why I like roof rack approaches that use the factory rails.

 

[jp.vegas]

I have a general approach to life: do not drill holes in roofs if it can possibly be avoided. This is why I like roof rack approaches that use the factory rails.

I agree in general with not drilling into roofs, but there are plenty of aftermarket rack options that use factory mounting points with no drilling needed.

Some of them, Sherpa for example, don't even require or advocate the use of any sort of goop sealant to keep water out as they've developed a much nicer method to do that.

 

[4r-4ever]

it doesn't matter to me if it's of different color.

I would, but the chrome looks shitty with the rest of the truck blacked out.

 

[BobWheelerJr]

Keep the factory side rails and add more cross bars. You can add as many as you can fit on, then don't use a basket, just your bag.

Okay, I've looked at all my options, and this seems like the best. I guess I can just remove the rails, have them painted, and then put say 4-6 OEM crossbars on when I replace the OEM rails. They fit inside the OEM rails and the fit should be better than anything else really.

Thanks.

 

[HanginInUtah]

Okay, I've looked at all my options, and this seems like the best. I guess I can just remove the rails, have them painted, and then put say 4-6 OEM crossbars on when I replace the OEM rails. They fit inside the OEM rails and the fit should be better than anything else really.

Thanks.

Seems like this is turning into much too long of a thread... but I can't resist here: I wouldn't use the OEM crossbars. Maybe it's in my head and not based on fact, but I feel like somewhere along the way I've read that the crossbars are the weak part that restricts how much weight can be up there. The rails are fine. Personally, I bought two cross bars from LFD and mounted a rooftop tent i rented for a camping trip, and it worked awesome. They bolt right up to the OEM rails. They are a little bit higher (maybe 1/4" or so if I remember correctly). I think they look great, too. Plus, it allows you all kinds of possibilities to mount to them or tie down to them, which the OEM cross bars do not.

Again... sorry to add to the length. But I kinda don't like the OEM cross bars, so I made it personal... :uzi:

 

[Sully888]

I used this Build Your Own Damn Roof Rack - How I Built a $1000 Roof Rack for $300 in half a day. - YouTube which resulted in this.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I used this Build Your Own Damn Roof Rack - How I Built a $1000 Roof Rack for $300 in half a day. - YouTube which resulted in this.

That looks great. Nice job. :thumb3:

 

[BobWheelerJr]

Seems like this is turning into much too long of a thread... but I can't resist here: I wouldn't use the OEM crossbars. Maybe it's in my head and not based on fact, but I feel like somewhere along the way I've read that the crossbars are the weak part that restricts how much weight can be up there. The rails are fine. Personally, I bought two cross bars from LFD and mounted a rooftop tent i rented for a camping trip, and it worked awesome. They bolt right up to the OEM rails. They are a little bit higher (maybe 1/4" or so if I remember correctly). I think they look great, too. Plus, it allows you all kinds of possibilities to mount to them or tie down to them, which the OEM cross bars do not.

Again... sorry to add to the length. But I kinda don't like the OEM cross bars, so I made it personal... :uzi:

Strange coincidence. I am going with the factory rails (which I'm having powder coated black), three of the wide LFDO crossbars, and the LFDO wind fairing integrated crossbar.

 

[FullTime4]

Highly recommend the LFD bars on stock rails. They sit slightly higher than OEM crossbars, but not as high as a Thule/Yakima system.

LFD makes a full rack too if you'd rather go that direction.

Their craftsmanship and customer service is top notch.

LFD Off Road - Ruggedized Crossbar Bundle

Keep an eye out for stock rails from a different 4runner - some came black from the factory.