OE Crossbars Useless on 2018 TRD Pro Factory Roof Rack....

[Slubgub]

I put the yakima whispbars on. A bit pricey, but with the 4runner specific mounting brackets, they are very stable, have a nice height to get under them, and have zero wind noise.

I had tried the Thule rubber band style towers, but got a bit of noise. with them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XZJGB7V/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EGX78M/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Found a vehicle with this here (dark outside and I don't have any pics): http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/225947-roof-rack-crossbars-factory-vs-aftermarket.html

 

[Jedi7Taco]

I would very much appreciate if you had a picture somewhere showing the skybox clamps around the LFD bars (I know that's not likely) and if not I would appreciate even more if you are willing to throw it up there and take a detail picture so I can see if it's like my Yakima Skybox Pro (I know that's a pain to do so I feel bad for asking but would be awesome to see it!).

Thanks

JC

I will try to get you a picture when I put my skybox on, I have the LFD bars and a skybox 16 carbonite. I mounted the bars and then took them off and mounted the skybox to them in my garage. Just had to play with the skybox clamps a bit and they do fit over the bars. When you lock the clamps down they are really snug, I don't think the clamps will ever close and be flush with the box, there is a small gap between the clamp end and the box if this makes sense. I might try and throw the box on this weekend if I have time.

 

[bigair96]

Removed and sold my Gobi to go back to stock rack. Had my side rails powder coated black and bought the LFD cross bars. Works great for my Thule box. The stock cross bars are a joke. My Thule would rub the roof up front using the stock cross bars. Haul kayaks up there too with kayak racks too. Works great.

what made you go back to a stock rack?

 

[jcage89]

I will try to get you a picture when I put my skybox on, I have the LFD bars and a skybox 16 carbonite. I mounted the bars and then took them off and mounted the skybox to them in my garage. Just had to play with the skybox clamps a bit and they do fit over the bars. When you lock the clamps down they are really snug, I don't think the clamps will ever close and be flush with the box, there is a small gap between the clamp end and the box if this makes sense. I might try and throw the box on this weekend if I have time.

Thanks, it does make sense and I would appreciate it if you do end up messing with it some more and are able to share. This would be the ideal mix of low profile and strength if it works. Otherwise you are stuck with some sort of aftermarket tower and elevated crossbar which inn turn jacks the Skybox up super high.

JC

 

[TeeDub21]

what made you go back to a stock rack?

Noise, weight, height when using my Thule box, fact I’m never going overlanding, ease of selling Gobi due to demand.

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

Did you ever look at Rhino Rack crossbars on (I think?) Vortex SX lockable feet? If not, you should.

 

[Jedi7Taco]

Thanks, it does make sense and I would appreciate it if you do end up messing with it some more and are able to share. This would be the ideal mix of low profile and strength if it works. Otherwise you are stuck with some sort of aftermarket tower and elevated crossbar which inn turn jacks the Skybox up super high.



JC

Here you go, threw it on for Xmas trip up the coast, bars are crazy stout, no problems at all.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jcage89]

Here you go, threw it on for Xmas trip up the coast, bars are crazy stout, no problems at all.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cool thanks for the super detailed Pics. Don't suppose you have some taken from back a ways showing the whole skybox and rig to get a sense for how low it sits to the roof?

JC

 

[jcage89]

Here is what I did for my holiday trip....

I had been waiting for the LFD guy to send the damaged crossbar to test on my rig but it never came so when REI had 30% off Yakima products for Winter Sale I picked up this set of Jetstream aero bars and Timber towers to use vs. the weak OE crossbars.

Here is a picture of my 2006 4runner sport ED whose stock crossbars are more than adequate to hold the loaded skybox...

and another picture of the same skybox on my new 2018 TRD Pro with the Yakima Equipment....

As you can see it sits up really high but other than that is fine as the Yakima gear is super solid.

I figured I'd use this for the Holiday and if I wasn't happy I'd try again to contact the LFD guy and return the Yakima stuff. Now that I see yours, I think I am more interested in your setup. I also bought the Offgrid rack for the Yakima bars with extension but same thing it sits up really high.

JC

 

[TRD PANTHER]

Did you ever consider the low profile Rago crossbars? Not sure if it would work with your setup, but, the crossbars look very sturdy and a couple other members said they make no noise and have no effect on mileage. https://www.ragofabrication.com/pro...n-4runner-modular-factory-rail-support-system

 

[yardsale]

I have been using Thule 450R mounts with Thule Areobars for about a year. They work fine, and I like the fact they sit up on top of the factory bars, less chance on knocking that stupid sharkfin antenna off when loading.

 

[alcomedic]

Here you go, threw it on for Xmas trip up the coast, bars are crazy stout, no problems at all.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome! this is what I want to go with...2 LFD crossbars and a Yakima skybox 16

Looks like everything fits nice and snug. Any issues with the fin or opening the hatch? Any pics of the whole rig? Appreciate it

 

[alcomedic]

I had been waiting for the LFD guy to send the damaged crossbar to test on my rig but it never came so when REI had 30% off Yakima products for Winter Sale I picked up this set of Jetstream aero bars and Timber towers to use vs. the weak OE crossbars.

Here is a picture of my 2006 4runner sport ED whose stock crossbars are more than adequate to hold the loaded skybox...

and another picture of the same skybox on my new 2018 TRD Pro with the Yakima Equipment....

As you can see it sits up really high but other than that is fine as the Yakima gear is super solid.

I figured I'd use this for the Holiday and if I wasn't happy I'd try again to contact the LFD guy and return the Yakima stuff. Now that I see yours, I think I am more interested in your setup. I also bought the Offgrid rack for the Yakima bars with extension but same thing it sits up really high.

JC

Did you ever switch and go with the LFD setup?

 

[unsub1]

Skybox on LFD crossbars for the win. Had it loaded down and it was perfect from Austin to Taos and back. I like this so much better than my old Yakima setup.

 

[jcage89]

Did you ever switch and go with the LFD setup?

Not yet. I am actually curious about the difference (if amy) between my OE crossbars from my silver '06 SportED 4runner (pictured above with the skybox) and the OE crossbars that came on my '18TRD pro. The '06 never had a problem with the flexing crossbars under the weight of the Skybox whereas the '18 does. I gave my '06 to my dad and when I was over this past weekend, I paid more attention and noticed the '06 crossbars look exactly like the '18 crossbars even thought the rails are different. I wondered if the '06 crossbars are of a more sturdy construction so I borrowed and plan to test that. Depending on what happens I'll go for LFD's or keep the '06 crossbars on my new 4runner and give my dad the Yakima crossbars if he needs them. I prefer the aero shape of the OE crossbars but definitely want the lower profile which the LFD also offer. I want to also try them with the Yakima Offgrid basket I bought at the same time as my crossbars when it was 30% off at REI.

I'll let you know what I end up with when I have time to try stuff.

Cheers

JC