Gobi Racks vs ???

Bumbo

Bumbo

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I really like the overall Gobi Racks setup on a 4th Gen, but are there any other alternate options worth looking at?

I just came across a thread about Whitson Metalworks, got excited and decided to order one, only to find out there was a lawsuit between them so my 1st favorite pick doesn't look like its on the market anymore...

I really cant afford to spend $1500+ on a rack right now, but it would be ideal for my needs which would be used for a light bar, some small side pods, and a place to throw up some pelican cases and other gear and perhaps a RTT in teh future.
 
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Nice recommendation... I do like the Prinsu rack.

Does it install using the factory roof rack mounting points? I really dont want to drill make any permanent modifications.

Pictures of your setups?
 
If you're in Socal, look on craigslist. There is a guy fabricating racks for 4runners. [MENTION=134758]SoSoRunner[/MENTION] recently got one from him and it looks pretty good. It looks pretty dam close to the gobi racks but much cheaper.

Found the link

But my choice and next rack is also prinsu.
 
Prinsu racks are ugly. As far as Gobi, yes shame on them for protecting their products from illegitimate copycats. I mean really. If you work hard and make a highly sought after, highly performing roof rack design, why shouldn't someone be aloud to just copy it and sell them for less... grow up.

The gobi IMO is the gold standard for style vs performance when it comes to roof racks for our rides. They come with a free ladder and free shipping. They are not cheap but appear to be well worth it. I am seriously considering one soon.
 
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socal-4runner said:
If you're in Socal, look on craigslist. There is a guy fabricating racks for 4runners. [MENTION=134758]SoSoRunner[/MENTION] recently got one from him and it looks pretty good. It looks pretty dam close to the gobi racks but much cheaper.

Found the link

But my choice and next rack is also prinsu.
Click to expand...

GOLD on that CL link! ;)

I wonder if he's on here?

I wonder if he'll get a C/D for this.......:(

I better get one right quick.
 
Morphyne said:
Prinsu racks are ugly. As far as Gobi, yes shame on them for protecting their products from illegitimate copycats. I mean really. If you work hard and make a highly sought after, highly performing roof rack design, why shouldn't someone be aloud to just copy it and sell them for less... grow up.

The gobi IMO is the gold standard for style vs performance when it comes to roof racks for our rides. They come with a free ladder and free shipping. They are not cheap but appear to be well worth it. I am seriously considering one soon.
Click to expand...

Protecting their product? You think that's what happened when they went after wmw?! I've seen both racks. They were similar but different....how many different ways can you build a metal basket to haul shit on your roof? Maybe I'll see it your way when I grow up, though.

As far as the free shipping and ladder...that's just as ridiculous. It's just built into their insanely expensive rack price.
 
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socal-4runner said:
If you're in Socal, look on craigslist. There is a guy fabricating racks for 4runners. [MENTION=134758]SoSoRunner[/MENTION] recently got one from him and it looks pretty good. It looks pretty dam close to the gobi racks but much cheaper.

Found the link

But my choice and next rack is also prinsu.
Click to expand...

Better buy one now before they get a cease and desist letter from gobi.
 
JimInTN said:
Protecting their product? You think that's what happened when they went after wmw?! I've seen both racks. They were similar but different....how many different ways can you build a metal basket to haul shit on your roof? Maybe I'll see it your way when I grow up, though.

As far as the free shipping and ladder...that's just as ridiculous. It's just built into their insanely expensive rack price.
Click to expand...

maybe the grow part could've been left out. so I retract that. But, look at both racks. they look damn near identical. and yes I agree there is only so many ways to build a rack. but if somebody beat you to the design, its there's. that's how the US system works. Let's not kid ourselves. everybody loves the look and function of the Gobi rack. that is why they were so excited about a WMW rack. it was a Gobi on the cheap. same with that other link you posted. Nice looking rack, because it looks like a Gobi. but not like the WMW rack, that thing was a near copy.

But all in all, to drop inflammatory statements against Gobi for legally defending their product design, is just childish. Shit, I did it again...
 
Yah, I'll be purchasing a Baja Utility rack here pretty soon. Perfect for a RTT and a light bar. That's all I'm really interested in.
 
Morphyne said:
Prinsu racks are ugly. As far as Gobi, yes shame on them for protecting their products from illegitimate copycats. I mean really. If you work hard and make a highly sought after, highly performing roof rack design, why shouldn't someone be aloud to just copy it and sell them for less... grow up.

The gobi IMO is the gold standard for style vs performance when it comes to roof racks for our rides. They come with a free ladder and free shipping. They are not cheap but appear to be well worth it. I am seriously considering one soon.
Click to expand...
Someone's been drinking the koolaid. You obviously missed a lot of the Gobi vs wmw controversy.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
[MENTION=144483]Bumbo[/MENTION] I saw [MENTION=134758]SoSoRunner[/MENTION] rack this past weekend. It's a solid build and looks awesome. If you're near tustin or don't mind the drive then i highly suggest that rack. If nothing else you save on shipping and get to support a local fab shop.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
Yeah I love my rack, it's awesome at 1/2 the price of gobi! If you're in socal definitely try to see one first hand. If you're ever in the Inland Empire area lmk I can meetup with you so you can check it out. Fitment is spot on in stock roof rack mounting locations, comes with all stainless steel hardware. Customizable with light bar mounts front and rear, full roof mesh or removable sunroof cutout mesh, wind deflector, Joe is a fabricator so he can pretty much add whatever you like.

Used your pics [MENTION=123332]Drunner97[/MENTION] :hippie:
038.jpg~original

243.jpg~original

096.jpg~original
 
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Drunner97 said:
Someone's been drinking the koolaid. You obviously missed a lot of the Gobi vs wmw controversy.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I love Koolaid. I also love good looking roof racks. They are right up there with free beer and topless women with low standards.

I like those local bought Gobi clones your guys can get out in So Cal. Don't get me wrong. I'd rather have one of those and keep $1000. but that guy don't ship so I am stuck with gobi or nothing. I'm not stupid. I just don't think it is fair to start spoutin hate over something that was a clear legal right of Gobi. but that's my opinion. nothing more.

Also, I don't think I missed much on the Gobi thing. I just see a lot of people siding with the nice guy thinking he got squashed by a big company. I just don't think it was a pretty clear cut case, that's all.
 
Morphyne said:
I love Koolaid. I also love good looking roof racks. They are right up there with free beer and topless women with low standards.

I like those local bought Gobi clones your guys can get out in So Cal. Don't get me wrong. I'd rather have one of those and keep $1000. but that guy don't ship so I am stuck with gobi or nothing. I'm not stupid. I just don't think it is fair to start spoutin hate over something that was a clear legal right of Gobi. but that's my opinion. nothing more.

Also, I don't think I missed much on the Gobi thing. I just see a lot of people siding with the nice guy thinking he got squashed by a big company. I just don't think it was a pretty clear cut case, that's all.
Click to expand...

The one thing you missed about the whole Gobi thing was that it had nothing to do with the design of the rack and everything to do with the way it was mounted. Which is why I was saying you obviously missed some of it. Either way, I'm not here to rehash that whole thing. Whether there was a local guy or not, I was either going to go Prinsu or Front runner because I like the flat racks. Now that I have another option that will save me 400 with shipping I'll very likely go that route when I have the cash to spend on it. Baja racks are nice, but just as expensive, and I'll boycott Gobi the rest of my life. Prinsu is huge in the Tacoma world and they're very well made racks.
 
I too have the same rack SoSo has. Built solid and had like a 2 day turnaround time after payment....wont get that from gobi that's for sure. The seller is a cool guy too. [MENTION=76583]Morphyne[/MENTION], the guy does ship... shipped mine to Kansas via Fedex with a 2 day transit.

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