Opinion on crossbar to buy

[md2002]

Hello,
I'm looking to purchase some crossbars for the 4 runner and was wondering what the consensus is on what to buy. Should I buy these

4RUN Roof Rk Crs Bar - PT278-89170 | BAM Wholesale Parts

Which are made for the 4 runner or something like this

Malone mpg216 AirFlow2 58" Roof Rack - RackWarehouse.com

Which aren't made for the 4 runner but seem to do the job. If not the ones made for the 4 runner does anyone have recommendations of what to buy? There are A LOT of options out there, I'm not sure if the $80 pair is as good as the $300 pair.

Thanks

 

[Friggin Idiot]

SEARCH
There's a gold mine of information on crossbars and roof racks here already. Although your knockoff options probably aren't anywhere in the list. Most of us bought the OEM crossbars with the truck from the dealer, then upgraded to something more substantial. You can often find OEM crossbars in the 5th Gen For Sale Section for about what you'd pay for those knock-offs.

 

[Charlievee]

LFD if they are ever in stock.

 

[tflux]

I just bought those exact Malones. I like them for what I need (occasional use, 2 or 3 times a year). They are quiet, but they take some time to set up and install/uninstall. Now that I have them set up, they take about 15 min to install.

The OEM bars sit very low to the roof. The clamps on my Yakima Skybox will rub on (and scratch/chip) my roof paint. Which is the reason I bought the Malones.

 

[Blazephantom]

LFD Offroad crossbars are amazing for the stock roof rack.

I had them for a while and then upgraded to their 7/8ths roof rack.

 

[YT-1300]

Another vote for the LFD bars. I scored a set with the wind fairing on CL. Super easy install, super stout!

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[EddieV4runnin]

Another vote for the LFD bars. I scored a set with the wind fairing on CL. Super easy install, super stout!

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Steel or aluminum??

 

[Deuxdiesel]

Rhino rack makes very strong and light aero bars, but they are not cheap. Close to $100 each and then you need to foot pack of your choice. They are pretty quiet though, and there are tons of accessories.

 

[itr1275]

You can build your own. Here is the thread too. Pricing out I think it will be about $30-40 per bar. So you can save a bit of money over the OEM bars, but new ones are flat and usable.

DIY: Ultra Low Profile Custom Rack / Crossbars for OEM TE Roof Rails

 

[Charlievee]

You can build your own. Here is the thread too. Pricing out I think it will be about $30-40 per bar. So you can save a bit of money over the OEM bars, but new ones are flat and usable.

DIY: Ultra Low Profile Custom Rack / Crossbars for OEM TE Roof Rails

Hardest part here is fabricating the "mounting plates".

 

[Eitek1]

Hardest part here is fabricating the "mounting plates".

I’ve got the red 4Runner with the rack on the last page of the DIY thread. I’ve ridden around with that rack for the past year and it’s been rock solid. I took a trip and had stuff strapped to it for 3k miles. I’ve also put the bar and mounted brackets brackets on the ground and stood on it with no damage.

I’m getting ready to start producing the brackets. Not sure on the exact timeline but I think I’ll have some ready to go in about 3 weeks.

 

[Charlievee]

I’ve got the red 4Runner with the rack on the last page of the DIY thread. I’ve ridden around with that rack for the past year and it’s been rock solid. I took a trip and had stuff strapped to it for 3k miles. I’ve also put the bar and mounted brackets brackets on the ground and stood on it with no damage.

I’m getting ready to start producing the brackets. Not sure on the exact timeline but I think I’ll have some ready to go in about 3 weeks.

Think i tried PMing you about them months ago. I will gladly "donate" to your cause in exchange for 4 sets.

 

[Eitek1]

Think i tried PMing you about them months ago. I will gladly "donate" to your cause in exchange for 4 sets.

Yea, I was on the fence about doing it or not due to a bunch of stuff I had going on. Events as of late have allowed me to work on some stuff and get some stuff in order.

 

[KWSRStorm]

Lfd or vixtory 4x4

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[md2002]

LFD if they are ever in stock.

These look nice but how's the wind noise? I saw one video where the guy installed 4 of them and said the wind noise was very noticeable.

 

[KWSRStorm]

These look nice but how's the wind noise? I saw one video where the guy installed 4 of them and said the wind noise was very noticeable.

Get the wind faring. Without it there is noticble noise. With it, they are as (if not more) quiet than stock

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[YT-1300]

Steel or aluminum??

Steel, x4.

 

[YT-1300]

These look nice but how's the wind noise? I saw one video where the guy installed 4 of them and said the wind noise was very noticeable.

I have zero wind noise. I've only got two of my four up so far (waiting for my vinyl wrap to finally get here to black out the silver rails before I put the other two on). Wind fairing on the front bar and the second bar about halfway back.

 

[57HotrodVW]

Very happy with my ruggedized crossbars from LFD Off Road. More info and pics in the article at
LFD Off Road Ruggedized Crossbars and Accessories - 5th Gen 4Runner

 

[BlueEyedDevil]

Very happy with my ruggedized crossbars from LFD Off Road. More info and pics in the article at
LFD Off Road Ruggedized Crossbars and Accessories - 5th Gen 4Runner

That set up is so vastly better than my TRDP rack it’s incredible.

I wonder if I can just have my Toyota dealer swap out the TRDP rack for the black rails on yours and then just add the LFD cross bars. Your set up is ideal for me and it looks much better.

Is that essentially what you did? Where did you find the black OEM rails?