Gobi Rack - Advantage and disadvantages
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granjour
New member
It is useful for more things other than when your in the outback. I bought the gobi stealth for my 2005 sport ed, a baja for my 2010 LE, and I just ordered the gobi ranger for my 2015. Having had both, the gobi is better built IMO, good choice.
No wind noise and not that concerned with milage.
I hope I can still fit in the garage after install.
No wind noise and not that concerned with milage.
I hope I can still fit in the garage after install.
08runnertjb
New member
I have a gobi on both. Wrangler and now on my 5th gen trail. Love it more on this truck. I haven't tried any other brand so no basis for comparison. I would argue that mileage is less effected by the rack than by the bigger tires that 80% of owners that have racks add to their trucks. The weight and rolling resistance effect mpg more Tha the rack I would think. This is based on my experience with a gobi stealth on a stock jku with barely 1 mpg difference except on windy days.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
blacksheep4
New member
I love mine too. Has the advantages off crossbars that are compatible with other brands for bike racks/ cargo boxes/ whatever, and the advantage of the basket for strapping down odd shaped things/ stuff you don't want inside the truck/ standing on top of your truck. As far as mileage reduction, meh I didn't really notice any. Wind noise is totally bearable if you install the fairing correctly, I stopped noticing it after just a couple days really.
Pros: No drilling, easy to install, high quality, versatile, looks nice.
Cons: Expensive, kind of heavy (but what do you expect from a full size rack).
I have no ragrets
Pros: No drilling, easy to install, high quality, versatile, looks nice.
Cons: Expensive, kind of heavy (but what do you expect from a full size rack).
I have no ragrets
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ChChChChia
New member
Wish I knew. 6 weeks out and I'm still waiting...
4rabbit
New member
For anyone who has a Gobi in northern climes, how is it with all the snow? Is it more of a PITA than it's worth or is it not as bad as I imagine? And similarly is rust an issue?
And for people in more urban areas, any issues with delinquents climbing on it?
I so love the look of the Gobi with the ladder, but I wasn't sure if a Yamaha LoadWarrior might be more practical for winters here in New England where you could easily remove it during the snowy months (although it'd be just one more thing to stash in the garage!).
And for people in more urban areas, any issues with delinquents climbing on it?
I so love the look of the Gobi with the ladder, but I wasn't sure if a Yamaha LoadWarrior might be more practical for winters here in New England where you could easily remove it during the snowy months (although it'd be just one more thing to stash in the garage!).
blacksheep4
New member
I haven't experienced anything like a NE snow storm since I've had mine, but I don't think snow would stack too high on it. Someone else can chime in on that but maybe you just have to be that a-hole who doesn't brush his roof off and then lets it blow all over the place once it gets enough speed.
I do have two small spots of surface rust that I need to clean up and cover with some spray paint or plastidip. They are located where my bike mount touches the crossbars as a result of me adjusting it all the time. I'm sure that will happen with any steel rack, but as long as you catch it before it spreads it's not going to eat through a whole crossbar.
Engineer
New member
I love my Gobi but if I was to do it again I would consider a K9 Rack or possibly a rear bumper not because I have any regrets about the Gobi but I do love Alu. vs. Steel or the increased utility of the bumper.
*No issues so far with powder coating holding up in the Midwest Winters, Snow accumulation is not a major issue that I have noticed and more with or without a rack.
*I like the sides of the Gobi, it makes things like fuel cans and Matrax "stick out" less then if the rack was totally flat like some Baja or K9 racks.
*Similar to above, the "built in" look with spots for front and rear light bars are cool and I like that they seem like it was designed there vs. just hanging off a rack.
*Overall it can be a very expensive Modification with little actually "gained" and in retrospect I would have rather had a rear bumper then a roof rack but MY main use of the rack has been a place to keep Fuel Cans, Mattrax and a high lift I have not used it to secure random cargo items or other Bins as with just my wife and I there is always plenty of room in the Cabin. A rear bumper would have stored these things well and given a better departure angle (yes I am wiling to cut my rear cross member)
*Keep in mind with the rear ladder you will loose use of the full width of the rear window as a shelf when hauling long objects
If you do choose to go with the Gobi,
*Get the removable cross bars, these may be standard now but if not you want them
*Get a full mesh floor
*Decide if you are going to put Lights on it and Let Gobi add the mounts (or remove the front support bars if you are running a 40")
*Depending on your use you may want to ask them to make it without the "riser" in the front so the rack is the same height front to back
*No issues so far with powder coating holding up in the Midwest Winters, Snow accumulation is not a major issue that I have noticed and more with or without a rack.
*I like the sides of the Gobi, it makes things like fuel cans and Matrax "stick out" less then if the rack was totally flat like some Baja or K9 racks.
*Similar to above, the "built in" look with spots for front and rear light bars are cool and I like that they seem like it was designed there vs. just hanging off a rack.
*Overall it can be a very expensive Modification with little actually "gained" and in retrospect I would have rather had a rear bumper then a roof rack but MY main use of the rack has been a place to keep Fuel Cans, Mattrax and a high lift I have not used it to secure random cargo items or other Bins as with just my wife and I there is always plenty of room in the Cabin. A rear bumper would have stored these things well and given a better departure angle (yes I am wiling to cut my rear cross member)
*Keep in mind with the rear ladder you will loose use of the full width of the rear window as a shelf when hauling long objects
If you do choose to go with the Gobi,
*Get the removable cross bars, these may be standard now but if not you want them
*Get a full mesh floor
*Decide if you are going to put Lights on it and Let Gobi add the mounts (or remove the front support bars if you are running a 40")
*Depending on your use you may want to ask them to make it without the "riser" in the front so the rack is the same height front to back
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Easy to install, looks fantastic, its strong as hell and I trust it more than any other roof rack I've owned.
No other rack I've seen has an install that makes me think it will look good in 10 years, and the Gobi will. At the very least it wont damage my roof during that time.
I climb on it, I sit on it, I strap anything I need to carry to it. My roof top tent will soon have a home on it. Some of the best times I've had with it are just climbing on top to eat lunch feeling like I've got a better view than anyone else, even in the most mundane spots.
Also, an opinion from experience. Car modification is all money down the drain to anyone but yourself. You'll never justify it in a true financial sense because it's a luxury. Cars themselves are luxuries, and even more-so when you are talking about a 5th gen t4r.
Do what you want, what you think looks good, and what makes you look back at your truck everyday before you head in the house and smile.
No other rack I've seen has an install that makes me think it will look good in 10 years, and the Gobi will. At the very least it wont damage my roof during that time.
I climb on it, I sit on it, I strap anything I need to carry to it. My roof top tent will soon have a home on it. Some of the best times I've had with it are just climbing on top to eat lunch feeling like I've got a better view than anyone else, even in the most mundane spots.
Also, an opinion from experience. Car modification is all money down the drain to anyone but yourself. You'll never justify it in a true financial sense because it's a luxury. Cars themselves are luxuries, and even more-so when you are talking about a 5th gen t4r.
Do what you want, what you think looks good, and what makes you look back at your truck everyday before you head in the house and smile.
jstim
New member
If you're looking for a rack, go to the for sale/wanted thread. Someone is selling a one off, so the only one produced, rack from whitson metal works. The 3rd gen guys always had liked his racks so much better. It's unfortunate that Gobi did what they did to him. Here nor there, but probably the best rack you'll get your hands on, with a ladder.
PeNGuiNBoy17
New member
Do you know what thread?
4RunnerPro
New member
FYI wait time
Ordered my no rise Gobi on 3/15. It shipped 6/17. Ordered straight from Gobi. Should be here any day now.
Ordered my no rise Gobi on 3/15. It shipped 6/17. Ordered straight from Gobi. Should be here any day now.
I just placed my order through Trail Duty. Tried to contact Gobi directly twice, but they never responded. Trail Duty is estimating 6 weeks to ship. We'll see!
The slow/no response issue seems to be the theme among these aftermarket manufacturers and shops (TD excepted). Must be nice to be that busy!
Anyway, thanks to OP and all post responders - this thread helped me make the decision to move forward.
The slow/no response issue seems to be the theme among these aftermarket manufacturers and shops (TD excepted). Must be nice to be that busy!
Anyway, thanks to OP and all post responders - this thread helped me make the decision to move forward.
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ABC4R
New member
Started looking at less expensive options and showed my wife a picture of the GOBI and she "convinced" me to get it. Couldn't have worked out better. It has been loaded up for two camping trips now, and I cannot imagine not having it. The only thing I'd have done differently would have been to order it with the front bar the same height as the others (I found out about that after I got it).
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