My backwards build plan

[Cozen89]

I came across a guy who mounted a full length front runner with the custom rack rails and didn't drill the front. He swears it works great even fully loaded going 80 mph on the freeway. I believe him.

BUT, I talked to an employee at frontrunner again, and again they told me I would need to drill all new roof mounting holes if I used the custom track rails. That's 12 new holes in the roof. I asked "can't I just drill the tracks and use the existing holes?" He said no. I don't think I believe him.

 

[Scharfschütze]

I came across a guy who mounted a full length front runner with the custom rack rails and didn't drill the front. He swears it works great even fully loaded going 80 mph on the freeway. I believe him.

BUT, I talked to an employee at frontrunner again, and again they told me I would need to drill all new roof mounting holes if I used the custom track rails. That's 12 new holes in the roof. I asked "can't I just drill the tracks and use the existing holes?" He said no. I don't think I believe him.

My prinsu was 2 holes drilled and went on very easily and is ROCK SOLID. I would hate to drill out 12 holes.

 

[Thirty4]

I came across a guy who mounted a full length front runner with the custom rack rails and didn't drill the front. He swears it works great even fully loaded going 80 mph on the freeway. I believe him.

BUT, I talked to an employee at frontrunner again, and again they told me I would need to drill all new roof mounting holes if I used the custom track rails. That's 12 new holes in the roof. I asked "can't I just drill the tracks and use the existing holes?" He said no. I don't think I believe him.

I agonized over the Front Runner rack and the decision to drill or not to drill. Maybe you can get a little further with your research than I did. What it came down to for me was I wanted to see a pic of the front mounting brackets (not mounted) to see if the bottoms were flat, like the Gobi and Baja Rack, so that I could simply 3M tape them like the Gobi and Baja Rack. I wasn't a fan of creating another entry point for water, so I gave up on the Front Runner due to that. If you can get your hands on the brackets for find better pics of them, I am sure that you can come up with a solution if you absolutely love the rack. I eventually went with the Gobi as my dream for an aluminium rack just wasn't working for me. Besides, the Front Runner mounting brackets are steel anyway (for good reason), so what the heck....I went Gobi.

 

[Cozen89]

My prinsu was 2 holes drilled and went on very easily and is ROCK SOLID. I would hate to drill out 12 holes.

This STILL doesn't sound right to me. I'm not calling the employee a liar, but I don't see why you can't just use the existing holes and drill the tracks

 

[Cozen89]

I agonized over the Front Runner rack and the decision to drill or not to drill. Maybe you can get a little further with your research than I did. What it came down to for me was I wanted to see a pic of the front mounting brackets (not mounted) to see if the bottoms were flat, like the Gobi and Baja Rack, so that I could simply 3M tape them like the Gobi and Baja Rack. I wasn't a fan of creating another entry point for water, so I gave up on the Front Runner due to that. If you can get your hands on the brackets for find better pics of them, I am sure that you can come up with a solution if you absolutely love the rack. I eventually went with the Gobi as my dream for an aluminium rack just wasn't working for me. Besides, the Front Runner mounting brackets are steel anyway (for good reason), so what the heck....I went Gobi.

Love the gobi, but unfortunately clearance is an issue for me. I'm sure you'll love it!

 

[Thirty4]

I know the feeling for sure, I had to get the Baja Utility rack for my FJ which left me with about a quarter of an inch to spare going into the garage! . Good luck man, I hope you figure it out with some help here.

 

[Cozen89]

Got my 295/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers mounted today. Also got my body mount chopped and trimmed the front fender liner, bumper, and fender flares to clear some space. It's subtle in the pics, but definitely more happy with the stance now. Took a few quick iphone snaps right install after despite the rain. Here's some comparisons to the previous 285/70/17 KO2's

side by side
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-bPwthsM/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bPwthsM/0/L/i-bPwthsM-L.jpg" alt=""></a>

before/after front view
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-BkvFK3r/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BkvFK3r/0/L/i-BkvFK3r-L.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-zCRQfr2/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-zCRQfr2/0/L/i-zCRQfr2-L.jpg" alt=""></a>

before/after side view
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-7Qnn5Tz/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7Qnn5Tz/0/L/i-7Qnn5Tz-L.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-T5sgpC7/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-T5sgpC7/0/L/i-T5sgpC7-L.jpg" alt=""></a>

before/after 3/4 view
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-dhxJPL5/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-dhxJPL5/0/L/i-dhxJPL5-L.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-8RwjDXT/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8RwjDXT/0/L/i-8RwjDXT-L.jpg" alt=""></a>

 

[Scharfschütze]

before/after 3/4 view
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-dhxJPL5/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-dhxJPL5/0/L/i-dhxJPL5-L.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-8RwjDXT/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8RwjDXT/0/L/i-8RwjDXT-L.jpg" alt=""></a>

Damnit! I'm sold. I have my KO2s for sale now. The 295s look great. Got my BMC done and 1.25 spacers on already!

They definitely fill out those flares much better!

How do the 295s ride, you feel a difference in pickup/handling much coming from the ko2s?

 

[Cozen89]

Damnit! I'm sold. I have my KO2s for sale now. The 295s look great. Got my BMC done and 1.25 spacers on already!

They definitely fill out those flares much better!

How do the 295s ride, you feel a difference in pickup/handling much coming from the ko2s?

Yeah, filling out the flares is quite the task. I don't notice a huge difference in ride quality. Maybe slightly harsher over speed bumps. But I also added a rack, so maybe it's the extra weight. I do slightly rub still on the passenger side in reverse. Might need to trim my fender liner a little bit more.

 

[Scharfschütze]

Oh my god that looks so sweet. Loving the rack too.

 

[Cozen89]

Oh my god that looks so sweet. Loving the rack too.

Thanks man, I'm hoping I can free up some time to take it out to the dirt soon. Transitioning to a new career is eating up all my free time. I was hoping on doing a ladder next but I don't see a lot of clearance in the rear with the hatch open.

 

[Scharfschütze]

You actually might be ok with the Gobi ladder...

Did you by chance get a 295 spare mounted and up under the back? Im assuming it doesn't fit but may as well ask. I just sold my KO2s so time to order the RGs!

Did you notice a hit to MPG?

 

[Float]

Truck looks great. Well done. Did you end up going full length on the rack? Can't tell from the pics (I'm viewing this on a phone).

 

[Magnetic4R]

Nice and beefy, my next size up!

 

[SQ.MD]

Did you get the standard roof rack attachment for the k9 or get the shorter ones? Any adjustment to shark fin antenna? TIA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cozen89]

You actually might be ok with the Gobi ladder...

Did you by chance get a 295 spare mounted and up under the back? Im assuming it doesn't fit but may as well ask. I just sold my KO2s so time to order the RGs!

Did you notice a hit to MPG?

I may be ok with the ladder if I squeeze every mm out of forward movement on the rack. But in person it looks really tight. Like an 1-1.25" clearance at most.

I did not mount a 295 spare yet. From some research it seems 255/80/17 fits which is close in diameter but skinnier so it doesn't hang so low underneath.

 

[Cozen89]

[MENTION=152685]Float[/MENTION] [MENTION=50750]SQ.MD[/MENTION] I got the full length 2.2m rack wth the shorter 40mm feet. I did have to do the shorter antenna. I got one for either a corolla or camry off ebay for $45. It doesn't connect to the original plug on my 2016 but I don't use XM anyway. Installing it was both easy and a pain in the ass at the same time.

 

[Scharfschütze]

I just wanted to pop back in and thank you for being a horrible influence. I sold my KO2s to a friend and just ordered the 295 RGs!
[MENTION=138336]Cozen89[/MENTION] do you think you'll be OK aired down with that agressive of a tire/stance? Thats my only worry at this point.

 

[Cozen89]

I just wanted to pop back in and thank you for being a horrible influence. I sold my KO2s to a friend and just ordered the 295 RGs!
[MENTION=138336]Cozen89[/MENTION] do you think you'll be OK aired down with that agressive of a tire/stance? Thats my only worry at this point.

I try . But there are far worse influences on these forums. I'm just getting started.

Honestly I'm not sure how I'll fair airing down yet. Good question.

 

[Scharfschütze]

I try . But there are far worse influences on these forums. I'm just getting started.

Honestly I'm not sure how I'll fair airing down yet. Good question.

Been asking several of my resources and am hearing that airing down shouldnt be an issue since the "bulge" is on the ground, not up in the fender where its tighter.