Gobi stealth rack with a roof box

[CF_Machete]

So I purchased a Gobi stealth rack for my 4Runner and have a Yakima Skybox 21. I was able to mount the Skybox on the stealth rack with the adjustable cross bars, but it was very tight and I think that over time the quick release lobster claws might wear away the powder coating on the Gobi rack's floor screen.

Rather than adding some Yakima railgrab crossbars to the max, I'm thinking about modifying the Gobi movable crossbars.

Has anyone encountered this situation and solved it?

The attachment for the crossbars is made of three pieces where the crossbar itself is sandwiched between two C shaped pieces that wrap around the top and bottom of the rack. Perhaps adding a spacer/washer where the crossbars currently mount and mount the actual cross bar on top of the clamps to provide enough clearance to not damage my rack or the Skybox with multiple install/ de-installs.

 

[Flash Runner]

Hey [MENTION=131471]CF_Machete[/MENTION] - I’m reviving this old post bc I’m about to pull the trigger on having a shop install an in stock GOBI rack for a good deal, for the main purpose of being able to fit a Yakima SkyBox 21 on it.

So when you fit the Yakima 21 on the Gobi, using the Gobi adj crossbars, was it a secure fit or we’re you concerned it wouldn’t hold? Has there been any accelerated wear-n-tear on the rack or the Yakima mounts like you mentioned?

Did you ever workout an alternative solution setup, and if so what did you do?

Lastly, did you have the ladder and could you open the lift gate fully when you had the Yakima 21 on the Gobi?

I really appreciate any help you can provide!

 

[CF_Machete]

Hey [MENTION=131471]CF_Machete[/MENTION] - I’m reviving this old post bc I’m about to pull the trigger on having a shop install an in stock GOBI rack for a good deal, for the main purpose of being able to fit a Yakima SkyBox 21 on it.

So when you fit the Yakima 21 on the Gobi, using the Gobi adj crossbars, was it a secure fit or we’re you concerned it wouldn’t hold? Has there been any accelerated wear-n-tear on the rack or the Yakima mounts like you mentioned?

Did you ever workout an alternative solution setup, and if so what did you do?

Lastly, did you have the ladder and could you open the lift gate fully when you had the Yakima 21 on the Gobi?

I really appreciate any help you can provide!

So the stealth standard gobi rack will work with a yakima skybox21... but barely. The ladder was never an issue and I never leave the 21 on for an extended period of time, so I don't have a way to gauge long term stress, but the rack is solid.

The real issue I have is getting the 21 on and off; its a tight fit. If the cross bars had 1/2 an inch more clearence between them and the mes floor, it would be perfect, but after the 21 is mounted... its fine.

If I could do it over again, I would get a custom spacing between the Gobi floor and the top cross bar. Something like a low rise profile but with the stealth full height to the front light bar.

 

[Flash Runner]

[MENTION=131471]CF_Machete[/MENTION] thanks for the info! I intend to leave it on 80% of the time (for now) as I'm living on the road, so as long as it fits and is secure I'll try to deal with the difficulty of mounting/un-mounting for the time being.

Without seeing it first hand yet, I wonder if getting a fab-shop to replicate the cross bars, but add an angled rise on each mounting end (picturing a trapazoid-ish shape without the bottom line in my head) would be a viable solution as well...

 

[CF_Machete]

[MENTION=131471]CF_Machete[/MENTION] thanks for the info! I intend to leave it on 80% of the time (for now) as I'm living on the road, so as long as it fits and is secure I'll try to deal with the difficulty of mounting/un-mounting for the time being.

Without seeing it first hand yet, I wonder if getting a fab-shop to replicate the cross bars, but add an angled rise on each mounting end (picturing a trapazoid-ish shape without the bottom line in my head) would be a viable solution as well...

Might be cheaper to get yakima crossbars. I did run a set once on my way to VT but for the few times a year that i use the 21, it wasn't worth it. Also, once you get it mounted, position the 21 with tge tail gate up. You'll have a narrow sweet spot where everything fits just right.