K9 Roof Rack install 2016 5th Gen

[bartvonwolf]

So I searched and I did not find any threads talking about this issue. If there is one out there, I apologize, please direct me too the right thread.

In lieu of that, today I installed my K9 rack. The rack platform itself is very nice, but the rail system is sub-par in my opinion. I don't necessarily blame the design of the rack, but rather the design of the 5th gen and the lack of a set of forward mounting holes along the rain channel.

Either way, I have the rack installed and I am left with a major gap up front. I personannly feel this is unacceptable. I am going to call Paul back at Equipt1 and see if he has any additional advice. He told me by adjusting the towers there is a way to get downward force on the front of the rails, but I simply do not see how this is possible. Furthermore, I don't see why the rails are this long to begin with. They could be cut back 7 to 8 inches.

Now, I think there is a way I could drill a hole up front and run a bolt and nut down through the roof. My T4R has the sun roof and it is easy to pull the headliner down a bit. I can see there is room for a nut under there, and as long as I properly seal it off, it should not cause any leaking problems.

Anyway, anyone out there with this same rack and the same problem?

Thanks - Bart

 

[kwill]

I'm not sure I understand what is going on. Is the issue due to the rack being straight/flat and the roof being curved? If so, could you fab some kind of spacer under the front mounts to make up the gap?

 

[cjacob316]

Why do you think it's a poor design on the 4runner to not have extra holes in the roof for something they don't build for the vehicle?

Btw, are you sure you weren't supposed to trim back the gutter trim so that track can actually sit into the channel instead of having the trim underneath pushing it up?

 

[Titanpat57]

Why do you think it's a poor design on the 4runner to not have extra holes in the roof for something they don't build for the vehicle?

Btw, are you sure you weren't supposed to trim back the gutter trim so that track can actually sit into the channel instead of having the trim underneath pushing it up?

This for sure...


Is it possible you cranked the bolts down too much causing the extrusion to belly up? Seems like they would have had this compensated for....or is possible the rails got bent in shipping?

Paul's a great guy, and will get to bottom of a solution to fix this.

 

[cjacob316]

Here is a picture from equipt1.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Not Easy to install

The website for Eezie Awn clearly shows the base track is bent. The bent track shows in one of the photos on the link below. This aluminum, highly-assembled rack is not a good match for the curved roof of the 4Runner. At over $1300 you could have easily bought a BajaRack or Gobi Rack that fits better and is one-piece welded steel.

Eezi-Awn K9 2.2 Meter Roof Rack System for Toyota 5th Gen 4Runner

Ask the manufacturer to bend the track for you to fit. Barring that, see if you can return the rack, although you'll pay for the shipping to return it and they won't likely refund the cost of shipping it to you.

Alternately, you could create a flat plate aluminum shim under the last vertical leg with just a sticky pad under the foot that cushions and bears on the roof and gutter trim. That's about how the Baja and Gobi racks bear on the roof at the front legs. Cut the track just forward of the front vertical leg.

 

[vjack]

I'm a little confused about what we're looking at... did you take off the factory rails?

 

[bartvonwolf]

I'm not sure I understand what is going on. Is the issue due to the rack being straight/flat and the roof being curved? If so, could you fab some kind of spacer under the front mounts to make up the gap?

Yes, I think I could do this. Or better yet, cut the rail back some.

Why do you think it's a poor design on the 4runner to not have extra holes in the roof for something they don't build for the vehicle?

This is just me. I think modern 4x4s should still have real rain gutters for mounting roof racks. Not crappy little light weight crossbars for mounting your snowboard and maybe a small basket. This is just me hating modern vehicles in general. I come from wheeling in this...

...to the new 4Runner. I guess you can call it growing pains. There are things I am REALLY trying to get used to with this ultra modern 4x4.

Is it possible you cranked the bolts down too much causing the extrusion to belly up?
Paul's a great guy, and will get to bottom of a solution to fix this.

Yes, I might have tightened the mounting bolts a little too much. This is definitely possible. I think I am going to remove it, trim the rails back about 8"s and put it back up. I might also build a little shim for under the front to compensate for the angle. I should be able to easily make this out of ABS or a piece of aluminum. And yes, Paul is very nice, I am sure he will get back to me and tell me what to do.

At over $1300 you could have easily bought a BajaRack or Gobi Rack that fits better and is one-piece welded steel.

No, there is a reason I bought this rack. I need a completely flat platform for my James Baroud Evasion EVO. I also want aluminum (no rust). The only other completely flat rack is the Front Runner rack, and I have heard first hand reports about installing a hardshell tent to these racks and how much of a royal PIA it is because of a lip around the edge. So this is the rack I went with. And like I said, the platform is perfect for what I want. It's just that the 5th gen really doesn't want you to mount a full length platform up top.

Anyway, everyone seems to be on the same page with trimming the rails back. This is likely what I will do. I didn't really think about the shim option, which is definitely a good idea.

Thanks. I will reply again with new pics once I have it fixed.

Bart

 

[ST1FLER]

OP as stated you skipped a step in the install. trim those channel rails

At over $1300 you could have easily bought a BajaRack or Gobi Rack that fits better and is one-piece welded steel.

he obviously wanted a superior rack

 

[bartvonwolf]

OP as stated you skipped a step in the install. trim those channel rails

I do not recall reading any instructions to trim the rack. Furthermore, Paul asked me to call him about the install prior to doing so, to address this exact issue, which I did, and he made no mention of trimming the rails. I think on the equipt1 site, the bigger (longer) rack is pictured which perhaps does not require trimming the rails.

he obviously wanted a superior rack

Correct!

Bart

 

[cjacob316]

This is just me. I think modern 4x4s should still have real rain gutters for mounting roof racks. Not crappy little light weight crossbars for mounting your snowboard and maybe a small basket. This is just me hating modern vehicles in general.

In that sense, yes I can see your argument and might even agree. I have thought in the past had it been the old style with tracks then things like this rack would be much easier to mount.

Is that a trooper? I learned to drive on one of those.

 

[manofsteele2003]

Yes, I think I could do this. Or better yet, cut the rail back some.


This is just me. I think modern 4x4s should still have real rain gutters for mounting roof racks. Not crappy little light weight crossbars for mounting your snowboard and maybe a small basket. This is just me hating modern vehicles in general. I come from wheeling in this...

...to the new 4Runner. I guess you can call it growing pains. There are things I am REALLY trying to get used to with this ultra modern 4x4.


Yes, I might have tightened the mounting bolts a little too much. This is definitely possible. I think I am going to remove it, trim the rails back about 8"s and put it back up. I might also build a little shim for under the front to compensate for the angle. I should be able to easily make this out of ABS or a piece of aluminum. And yes, Paul is very nice, I am sure he will get back to me and tell me what to do.


No, there is a reason I bought this rack. I need a completely flat platform for my James Baroud Evasion EVO. I also want aluminum (no rust). The only other completely flat rack is the Front Runner rack, and I have heard first hand reports about installing a hardshell tent to these racks and how much of a royal PIA it is because of a lip around the edge. So this is the rack I went with. And like I said, the platform is perfect for what I want. It's just that the 5th gen really doesn't want you to mount a full length platform up top.

Anyway, everyone seems to be on the same page with trimming the rails back. This is likely what I will do. I didn't really think about the shim option, which is definitely a good idea.

Thanks. I will reply again with new pics once I have it fixed.

Bart

Sweet Trooper. My brother had an 87 2 door for a long time. I learned to drive stick in it, loved that thing.

 

[bartvonwolf]

In that sense, yes I can see your argument and might even agree. I have thought in the past had it been the old style with tracks then things like this rack would be much easier to mount.

Is that a trooper? I learned to drive on one of those.

Yeah, it's my 91 Trooper. I would kill to have the 4Runners modern drive trail and reliability with a gen1 Trooper body on top. :/

Bart

 

[bartvonwolf]

Sweet Trooper. My brother had an 87 2 door for a long time. I learned to drive stick in it, loved that thing.

Yup, I really love the old gen1s. Everything about them is great, save for the weak motors they came with here. My 91 blew the head gasket a couple months back, and I threw in the towel. I need modern reliability and I am sick of constantly wrenching on my back all the time when I should be lying on my back on the side of a mountain looking at the stars instead. Thus, I bit the bullet and bought the 2016 Trail Premium and with any luck, I will get it to the point my Trooper was at only better. I just wish Toyota sold the 70-Series here. I would love to own a new Troop Carrier with a T/D...

Bart

 

[manofsteele2003]

Yup, I really love the old gen1s. Everything about them is great, save for the weak motors they came with here. My 91 blew the head gasket a couple months back, and I threw in the towel. I need modern reliability and I am sick of constantly wrenching on my back all the time when I should be lying on my back on the side of a mountain looking at the stars instead. Thus, I bit the bullet and bought the 2016 Trail Premium and with any luck, I will get it to the point my Trooper was at only better.

Bart

Is that the 4 cyl? My brother didn't really have any issues until the end, then it all kinda went. Please finding motor parts or used motors was near impossible.

 

[cjacob316]

That thing had such a high center of gravity it scared me sometimes. Ours was a 4cyl 4x4 with 5 speed manual. It was fun to drive.

 

[bartvonwolf]

Is that the 4 cyl? My brother didn't really have any issues until the end, then it all kinda went. Please finding motor parts or used motors was near impossible.

Yup, the 2.6 4ZE1 motor. Great little motors but they don't handle heavy loads too well. I would get up to about 50mph in 3rd gear going up grades. No fun but what it lacked in power it made up for in utilitarian design and offroad prowess. My full build thread is here:

1991 Isuzu Trooper Overlanding Build - Expedition Portal

I'm thinking now I could have just welded up a similar roof rack or retrofitted the one I already have. But again, I wanted an aluminum rack to prevent rusting. Plus, I really had no idea how to mount it without rain gutters, so I just figured I would buy the K9. Oh well. I will get it to work.

Bart

 

[bartvonwolf]

That thing had such a high center of gravity it scared me sometimes. Ours was a 4cyl 4x4 with 5 speed manual. It was fun to drive.

Yup, tall and narrow. I have been on some seriously tippy and ultra nerve racking off camber trails over the years in my Trooper. This is one thing I am liking about the 4Runner. I bet it's track is 8-12" wider than my old Troopers. This is comforting. Sucks when you want to go up that quad trail surrounded by overgrown trees, but whatever...

Bart

 

[Beer_Runner]

Yup, I really love the old gen1s. Everything about them is great, save for the weak motors they came with here. My 91 blew the head gasket a couple months back, and I threw in the towel. I need modern reliability and I am sick of constantly wrenching on my back all the time when I should be lying on my back on the side of a mountain looking at the stars instead. Thus, I bit the bullet and bought the 2016 Trail Premium and with any luck, I will get it to the point my Trooper was at only better. I just wish Toyota sold the 70-Series here. I would love to own a new Troop Carrier with a T/D...

Bart

87 Trooper. My first car when I was 16 in the mid 1990s. 2 door, red, 5 speed with no A/C. Came from New Mexico. Thing had no power, but I loved that box. It hauled my whole drum kit with room to spare. I replaced the head gasket and it went over 250k miles. Parents still see it cruising around my hometown.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Flat Rack

...

No, there is a reason I bought this rack. I need a completely flat platform for my James Baroud Evasion EVO. I also want aluminum (no rust). The only other completely flat rack is the Front Runner rack, and I have heard first hand reports about installing a hardshell tent to these racks and how much of a royal PIA it is because of a lip around the edge. So this is the rack I went with. And like I said, the platform is perfect for what I want. It's just that the 5th gen really doesn't want you to mount a full length platform up top.

Anyway, everyone seems to be on the same page with trimming the rails back. This is likely what I will do. I didn't really think about the shim option, which is definitely a good idea.

Thanks. I will reply again with new pics once I have it fixed.

Bart

Hi Bart,

Well it just figures a guy named Von Wolf would want a roof rack called K9... :high5:

Just kidding. Now I see you have good reasons for picking this rack. The BajaRack Utility Rack with or without the sunroof opening is flat and might have worked ($900 to $950). I'm guessing you don't have the sunroof or you wouldn't be covering it with this rack. Or covering the sunroof doesn't matter to you. Maybe I need to read your posts again?

This just has way to many parts for my likes. All those nooks and crannies gather road grime and mud. That's why I like the tubular, welded racks. They seem easier to clean.

I have the BajaRack Utility Rack on order now. When it comes in I'll consider painting it again with a durable topcoat like Rustoleum.

Nice old truck BTW. It has lots of ground clearance front and rear. Cars were a lot simpler then. I just sold my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee for the same reasons. Parts were getting hard to find.