Not at all. The clamps have a rubberized coating that now have some indentations from clamping around the LFD Crossbars but it doesn't impact how well it holds. I've probably driven 6K miles with the box on the roof with no issues at all.
LFD Cross Bars / Roof Box Combo Suggestions
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Not at all. The clamps have a rubberized coating that now have some indentations from clamping around the LFD Crossbars but it doesn't impact how well it holds. I've probably driven 6K miles with the box on the roof with no issues at all.
Wind fairings are definitely available... In steel or aluminum.
If you read back through the main LFD Thread most of the people say there is no sound difference with the crossbars.
I have their full length rack and can say the sound difference isn't huge even with that
Florunner78
New member
I haven't been on the LFD site in a while, but they do offer wind fairings and you do need one. Without a fairing these bars are LOUD.
jwscott79
New member
There is a wind fairing....
I am thinking of going for the fairing simply because I think it will look cool, I have gotten accustomed to the roar from the crossbars.
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John in NC
Member
I can verify the Thule Evolution 1600 fits on the LFD crossbars and it does not fit on the stock crossbars. The LFD bars give it JUST enough clearance.
Thule doesn't make the 1600 anymore I don't think but if you see one used it will work and it holds a lot of stuff. It's big.
Thule doesn't make the 1600 anymore I don't think but if you see one used it will work and it holds a lot of stuff. It's big.
This is with a Thule Motion XT L - which is 6'5" vs the Force XT XL at 6'10.75" according to REI.
Mounted on two LFD crossbars. No issue with hatch clearance - the pic shows the box mounted as far back as I could with about an inch clearance when hatch is raised. I've since moved it forward about two inches for better aerodynamics.
LFD crossbars are awesome - much stronger than OEM, and very flexible in how you can adapt it for use.
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For me, it was a no brained to get LFD cross bars since my 4R didn’t come with them. LFDs were similar in price to new OEM crossbars and is much more versatile. E.g., I was able to mount my awning using standard brackets without drilling into the crossbars, and also in the future when I want to mount more accessories up top, I can add a couple of crossbars and get some of the functionality of a full aftermarket system. BTW, unlike OEM, I was able to stand on the LFD crossbars with zero flex.
wibadger28
New member
Just wondering what size skybox you have on? I've been looking at a 16 but am wondering if an 18 or 21 would fit well.
The Yakima 16 fits Great . Click on my album page,
I have many pics and foot notes on this. Too many to keep posting again and again here.
BurghRunner
New member
Has anyone that mounted a Thule Box on the LFD bars/factory rails had issues with the box hitting the shark fin antennae?
Sorry if I missed this in the posts. Seems like the clearance for the feet and hatch were addressed, but I couldn’t find an answer on the fin.
Thanks
PS: For those that ask why upgrade just the bars, my answer is to have more mounting options (my hi-lift, treads) that are limited with the factory or Thule bars. I am also considering an option to upgrade to their 7/8 rack.
Sorry if I missed this in the posts. Seems like the clearance for the feet and hatch were addressed, but I couldn’t find an answer on the fin.
Thanks
PS: For those that ask why upgrade just the bars, my answer is to have more mounting options (my hi-lift, treads) that are limited with the factory or Thule bars. I am also considering an option to upgrade to their 7/8 rack.
MidniteTRD
Member
i run a Thule Sonic XL on the LFD Ruggedized bars. 3 total bars, front is a dedicated LFD fairing mount and the other 2 hold the cargo box. I chose them based on future expandability with holding other equipment (traction boards, hi lift, etc) and they're high enough off the roof that the Thule mounting "clamps" can pinch around the crossbar and not hit the roof sheetmetal which was the big downfall with the OEM bars.
i was nervous about the exact same thing the first time i mounted the box with it hitting the antenna. sorry i don't have a shot of it but the Sonic box has a relief cut in the rear of the floor so it just clears. if i mount the box so that its as far back as it can go before hitting the hatch when its raised, it still has enough relief in the floor to clear. i don't know if other Thules are built like this but i think its very intentional, however if it wasn't on the LFD bars i'm not sure it would clear...they give it a lot of height boost.
sorry for the crappy shot but you can kinda see the sharkfin up under the very back of the Thule. fits with about an inch of height to spare.
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I have the 16, fits great and no interference with the shark fin antenna. Can still open the hatch a foot or two. Don't think you could with the larger 2. More space is always nice but I can stuff a ton in the 16
MidniteTRD
Member
one more follow-up, finally got a proper shot for you to see the clearance for both the fin and the clamping feet on the Thule Sonic XL box. as you can see there's no way this would work with the lower factor bars. the LFD's are perfect.
also worth noting that with the wind fairing, its silent at highway speeds too.
BurghRunner
New member
Thanks for the pics!
I have a Thule Force box. Hopefully same clearance. Still thinking about dropping the cash.
I have a Thule Force box. Hopefully same clearance. Still thinking about dropping the cash.
Mind posting a pic of how you used the third bar to mount their fairing?
The LFD crossbar + stock side rails is damn near perfect for my needs but I'm also about to do a few long highway trips and don't want to add a bunch of noise.
Fool-on-the-Hill
New member
I installed the Inno fairing on my LFD crossbars. It works great to cut the wind noise and I can still fit my Skybox without having to remove it or use an extra crossbar.
