Gobi Rack - Advantage and disadvantages

[4RunnerPro]

Gobi

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.

Not a chance in hell you will see it in 6 weeks. Double that and there you have it. Sorry, didn't mean to sound so blunt but if you get it in that time then quickly go buy a lottery ticket. I'm still waiting on a delivery phone call after 13 weeks and I ordered straight from Gobi. BTW, I found that if you called early in the morning they would answer. After 9 or 10am was a no go usually.
I hope you win the lottery!

 

[ritmatt]

Could be 12. Who knows? It would be nice to have, but I am in no particular rush. Surely you will see yours soon. Good luck!

And thanks for the info on the phone calls. Will keep that in mind.

 

[Neauxla]

Ordered my no rise Gobi on 3/15. It shipped 6/17. Ordered straight from Gobi. Should be here any day now.

Had I known I could order it w/o the riser...I would have ordered it over my camelback.

 

[Jhalko]

I don't have a Gobi but if I Was buying today I would lean their way. 10-12 weeks is better than a year and the strength of steel is great now that I'm running my RTT with other stuff up there. Sure wish I had a sunroof cover to carry a little more up there more efficiently.

 

[TheRoadNotTaken]

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.

Can anyone elaborate on this? Is this true, and are there other racks with a reputation for causing damage?

 

[mcarey86]

Can anyone elaborate on this? Is this true, and are there other racks with a reputation for causing damage?

some recent drama with baja racks here.

little googling should find you the thread.

 

[singletrackftw]

I wonder the same thing about parking downtown or somewhere and having a bunch of punk kids climbing onto my roof, especially with that ladder on the back, it's just begging to be climbed. Maybe our alarm would go off if someone climbed up there? Maybe just try to back into spots against walls to prevent these street youths from climbing up there? Haha. I don't have my stealth yet but it's on order.


Instagram @tcr_89 2016 SR5P 4wd 3rd row - FN wheels countersteer X - 265/70 BFG KO2 - Bilstein 5100 (1.75 setting) - NFab side steps - TRS Morimoto 4300k HID kit - NOKYA yellow fogs & DRLs - AVS hood visor

 

[Neauxla]

I don't have a Gobi but if I Was buying today I would lean their way. 10-12 weeks is better than a year and the strength of steel is great now that I'm running my RTT with other stuff up there. Sure wish I had a sunroof cover to carry a little more up there more efficiently.

Why don't you order the sunroof insert?

 

[Simpleman74]

as much as I fought it I finally decided to buy GOBI. Ordered direct from GOBI, full mesh (no sunroof) no rise front and removable crossbars.... quoted 6 weeks for delivery.... wont hold my breath

 

[tamerunner]

Love my Gobi. Didn't have to deal with the wait times as I bought it from another member. He ordered it with the front open for a 40" Rigid so that is good. Although I wish I could have the removable cross bars. No big deal though. Definitely a great rack. Put paddle boards, corn hole boards, and snow boards up there. I have the 3rd row so I like to stay away from storing things in the back so I have a tool box I built and mounted to keep the hitch, tow hook, tow straps, and ratchet straps in as well. Great investment. Mileage? I don't think I bought a Prius.

 

[DaPole]

I ordered mine mid/mid-late March, got it just in time for a trip in mid May, overall about 8 weeks. It was expensive, but I haaate having a messy/crowded interior on long trips, plus I often times sleep in the truck on "expeditions", so it's nice to be able to at least keep some stuff up top (typically the lighter and bulkier items). I also wanted a platform to be able to stand on to get an elevated view, whether it be for a photograph or just seeing what's near the horizon.

I think the advantages of the rack are obvious. Well made, can carry a lot, looks good. I don't think I need to expand on that.

I haven't found too many disadvantages so far. I still fit into my garage despite 285s and a 3inch lift, but only by the skin of my teeth. There was some road noise at highway speeds initially, but I also ended up adjusting the fairing. I don't notice the noise now, I think due in combination to a) getting used to it, and perhaps b) adjusting the fairing. I wish it was just a couple inches wider, although I think this might then look awkward since right now it's pretty much flush with the mounting legs.

 

[Jhalko]

Why don't you order the sunroof insert?

Hadn't thought about using the Gobi insert on drabbits rack, was hoping to bribe someone to make one for me and I'd hit it with truck bed liner. Just want to put water up there and only when out for more than a weekend.

 

[johnnotestine]

There are disadvantages? I haven't found those yet.

Side note: why did I not order my rack with both crossbars removable? I talked to Gobi on the phone and went with the crossbar by my sunroof being permanent. In hindsight I sure wish I would have went with both removable. I don't really see a downside in being able to move or remove both.

 

[singletrackftw]

There are disadvantages? I haven't found those yet.



Side note: why did I not order my rack with both crossbars removable? I talked to Gobi on the phone and went with the crossbar by my sunroof being permanent. In hindsight I sure wish I would have went with both removable. I don't really see a downside in being able to move or remove both.

I too was trying to find a DISadvantage to getting removable crossbars and I could not figure out ANY. That being said, I ordered mine with removable crossbars & the no-rise option but on my receipt email from gobi, it says "same height all around" rather than "no rise in front". I'm sure it's the same thing. That's what I asked for anyways. Also - FWIW Gobi charged me an extra $150 for adding this option (maybe because I was already 3 weeks into my rack order)? They told me I'm still 9 weeks out from delivery.


Instagram @tcr_89 2016 SR5P 4wd 3rd row - FN wheels countersteer X - 265/70 BFG KO2 - Bilstein 5100 (1.75 setting) - NFab side steps - TRS Morimoto 4300k HID kit - NOKYA yellow fogs & DRLs - AVS hood visor

 

[Khjphoto]

Thanks for all the information.

Pulled the trigger on a Gobi Stealth. Removable bars, wired for lights, ladder, wind deflector. Now it's a waiting game.

 

[LifestyleOverland]

We LOVE our Gobi. Super high quality... very long wait. Don't be surprised if the build-time estimate stretches out by several weeks. In the end though, it's worth the wait.

Only con I can think of is that it would be nice if it was a bit wider for traction mats to fit between the runners.

Pros? Hauling stuff and contemplative moments on mountain tops:

Seriously though, you won't regret it.

 

[Neauxla]

Hadn't thought about using the Gobi insert on drabbits rack, was hoping to bribe someone to make one for me and I'd hit it with truck bed liner. Just want to put water up there and only when out for more than a weekend.

Why don't you order the camelback sunroof insert? Yeah, you'll get it next year but it will be made to fit your rack.

 

[4RunnerPro]

Gobi No Rise

This was delivered:

Getting things ready:


Here she is: No Rise

Love it:

Even got to be a slick top for a few minutes:

Very lucky to have a good friend with a shop. He helped me a ton. Much respect for those of you that have done this alone. Took us about 2.5 hours to do but we weren't rushing. Very very happy with the quality of this rack. Seriously well done. No quality issues at all. The shop guys were impressed. Everything lined up and well, just worked. Next up, saving for ARB Awning and extras.

 

[RyanEJ25]

This was delivered:

Very lucky to have a good friend with a shop. He helped me a ton. Much respect for those of you that have done this alone. Took us about 2.5 hours to do but we weren't rushing. Very very happy with the quality of this rack. Seriously well done. No quality issues at all. The shop guys were impressed. Everything lined up and well, just worked. Next up, saving for ARB Awning and extras.

Very Nice! Did you have to drill the mounts up front? I see you didnt get risers up front, do you want to mount a light bar on there? Not sure If I want a riser or not for my LED Light bar.

 

[4RunnerPro]

Very Nice! Did you have to drill the mounts up front? I see you didnt get risers up front, do you want to mount a light bar on there? Not sure If I want a riser or not for my LED Light bar.

Thanks. No drilling what so ever on anything. The feet up front sit mainly in the water gutter area. I did get it set up for a 40 inch light bar but I temporarily removed the mounts because I don't have a light right now. Love the no riser. Hope it offers less wind noise than the standard.