Just Crossbars for Rack Delete

[SantaFeTrailer]

Picked up my new '14 trail yesterday :guitar3:

I would like to run a rooftop tent. I don't feel the factory crossbars (mine came with them) are strong enough. If I go with aftermarket crossbars that puts the unit higher than it needs to be, and still relies on the factory rails which I also question the strength of. What I would like to do is remove the rack entirely and install simple Thule or Yakima style crossbars at the factory bolt points.

Of course since all of these come with factory rails there is no foot kit made for the vehicle. I've searched around and haven't found any options. I don't really want (or want to pay for) a full Drabbits or Gobi style rack, but I would like simple crossbars that mount the same.

Any thoughts, my new 4R brethren?

 

[SantaFeTrailer]

Edit

Ah geez, never mind. The crossbars would be too far apart.

Maybe I should tune up my welding skills and fab something with feet to mount to factory attachment points, simple tube rails and tube crossbars - maybe 3 of 'em. Unless someone wants to build me one??

 

[Ducmonsta]

I bet you could easily have Gobi make you a limited rack. Flat utility 3/4 style. You could also pm [MENTION=68079]drabbits[/MENTION] with the question.

 

[SantaFeTrailer]

I bet you could easily have Gobi make you a limited rack. Flat utility 3/4 style. You could also pm [MENTION=68079]drabbits[/MENTION] with the question.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[dhylander]

Frontrunner?
Front Runner Slimline II 3/4 Rack - Rail Mount / Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen

 

[Stifler]

Frontrunner?
Front Runner Slimline II 3/4 Rack - Rail Mount / Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen

That the route ima gonna go

 

[SantaFeTrailer]

Frontrunner?
Front Runner Slimline II 3/4 Rack - Rail Mount / Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen

I was looking at that. What do people think about the fact that it is kind of a tray, so it wouldn't support the tent floor? Some sort of shim/stringer attached to the tent floor?

 

[dhylander]

I was looking at that. What do people think about the fact that it is kind of a tray, so it wouldn't support the tent floor? Some sort of shim/stringer attached to the tent floor?

They sell all sorts of accessories for their racks including tent mounts.
Front Runner Tent Mount Kit | RACK ACCESSORIES
Being that the cross rails are T slotted aluminum opens up all kinds of easy attachment possibilities.

 

[SantaFeTrailer]

They sell all sorts of accessories for their racks including tent mounts.
Front Runner Tent Mount Kit | RACK ACCESSORIES
Being that the cross rails are T slotted aluminum opens up all kinds of easy attachment possibilities.

Ah, so they do. I will definitely check that out.

 

[Taco04]

The factory bars on the newer 4runners seem kind of weak. I have a set laying around in my garage and I don't know if I would put a ton of weight on them. The older trail models seemed to have a better design. I thought about trying to find some and then mount the Rocky road adventure rack. In the end I just bit the bullet and bought the Front Runner rack. It's an awesome rack with a ton of flexibility another rack to look into is the K9 rack it also uses the T slots. Any way good luck

 

[SantaFeTrailer]

K9, yup that's the ticket. Their smallest size is enough longer than the Frontrunner to work for me. Gotta wait for the next container to arrive, but I reserved my platform/ Thanks Taco, problem solved.

The factory bars on the newer 4runners seem kind of weak. I have a set laying around in my garage and I don't know if I would put a ton of weight on them. The older trail models seemed to have a better design. I thought about trying to find some and then mount the Rocky road adventure rack. In the end I just bit the bullet and bought the Front Runner rack. It's an awesome rack with a ton of flexibility another rack to look into is the K9 rack it also uses the T slots. Any way good luck