Integrated Roof Rails?

[mbumpus11]

Does anyone know if there is a roof rail for the 4Runner that has the channel to secure the cross bars via a channel on TOP of the rail, or a lower, more slimline rail to give an integrated look?

Basically if I were to install the Thule cross bars, that would be all that was visible instead of the stock rails and then the additional height of the Thule rack on top. Similar to the more integrated look like Audi's have on top?

May be a dumb question, but I can't find anything about this type of rail system.

 

[Jetboy]

If they do I've never seen one. Not sure why Toyota switched from the low profile rails to the raised versions. Makes everything harder - especially weight distribution.

 

[gman123]

I have not found anything.
The 2 brands that I would go with are Yakima or Thule.
When I had my FJ had some Thule rails, and mounted Kayak mounts to it.
They seemed more secure than the OEM rails.
They still mounted above the side rails.

 

[Jetboy]

You could certainly add a set of these:
Rola® 59853 - Track Rail System for Sheet Metal Mounting Surfaces to Receive APE & APX Series Roof Racks

Or similar. I'm not sure how badly I'd want to drill into my roof. The right epoxy should work as an alternative - and likely be stronger than bolts if you do it right. I would use epoxy if it were mine, but I work with it a lot, so I'm probably more comfortable trusting it.

 

[dieck]

Check out the install pics for the K9 Ezi-Awn Rack from Equipt. It involved removing the factory roof rack and using the existing bolt locations to tied down a low profile rail like you are asking about.

Equipt Website

There is a build thread on expo that shows how it was installed. This post in particular shows how he did the install. You could do the same with any flat rail from Yakima, Thule, etc.

Here are a couple pics from his install from the referenced thread.

 

[dieck]

I'm weighing buying the K9 rack which is why I'm familiar, and am also toying with just installing some rails like you are suggesting and fabbing up my own rack or using commonly available systems from Thule or Yakima.

All the existing solutions I don't quite like...