Protection Behind Ladder

[cutty01]

Are you'all going to use something like this?

3M Scotchgard Clear Paint Protection 12" wide?

 

[T4RZAN]

My ladder is on order. I got the 4 to 6 week lead time notice too. I even got an actual ETA in mid January. So really, it's coming in February?

Thanks for posting this question. I wondered about this issue with the ladder. Clear bra it is.

Nice looking blue rig, BTW.

Thank you! No telling what their lead times are right now. My ETA changed several times, unfortunately the only way I knew mine changed was that day came and I called them and they said it would be another couple of weeks. With Black Friday and the holidays they may be even more backed up. Unless they stocked up beforehand....

Either way it is worth the wait. 6 months later and I still use it regularly. Enjoy!

 

[Mataaamat]

I have a Rhino Rack Mesh Platform it is mounted to the oem crossbars with brackets I made. However rhino rack makes and sells brackets for it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Hi T4RZAN,

Actually stumbled across your rig on Instagram and it started me down the Rhino Rack Mesh Platform path. Pretty much decided to go this route and i was wondering what size do you have? i assume small since it sits between your OEM racks? I think it would look good to get the medium size combined with the LFD Crossbars like in the thread below:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/250438-alternate-rack-9.html

any regrets with the smaller platform?

 

[T4RZAN]

Hi T4RZAN,

Actually stumbled across your rig on Instagram and it started me down the Rhino Rack Mesh Platform path. Pretty much decided to go this route and i was wondering what size do you have? i assume small since it sits between your OEM racks? I think it would look good to get the medium size combined with the LFD Crossbars like in the thread below:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/250438-alternate-rack-9.html

any regrets with the smaller platform?

Howdy!

So yes I did go with the smaller size simply to fit between the roof rails. I did have a friend that ran the LFD bars and got the medium and the outer rails sat on the roof rails, which actually helped to make it slightly stiffer. I do not have any regrets on the smaller size, I honestly prefer the look of the smaller size but there are times I wish I had more room. It really just boils down to what you're using it for.

Good luck!

 

[azknuckles]

Finally received my BajaRack ladder and installed it and I have realized its nearly impossible to climb it without my shoes hitting the liftgate. So I'm curious what you guys are using to protect your paint? 3M clear wrap or something similar?

Thanks in advance!

That looks awesome. So now that you are a year from the initial post, any regrets? I am considering the same ladder and a Rhino medium on LFD bars. Have the OEM lift gate supports held up to the added weight of the ladder?

 

[Kenny Powers]

You're not supposed to actually use it...

I’m trying to think of a situation where I would need to climb up
A ladder on my 4R and I’m drawing a blank. I’m a little taller than average so I just place things on and off the rack as needed. It does look super cool- it just isn’t practical for my life. But more power to anyone who rocks it and it works for them.

 

[T4RZAN]

That looks awesome. So now that you are a year from the initial post, any regrets? I am considering the same ladder and a Rhino medium on LFD bars. Have the OEM lift gate supports held up to the added weight of the ladder?

There is good and bad to it. I've no regrets and am glad I went with BajaRack as I still think it is the best looking ladder out there. However my use for it has changed. I now have a RTT so I have no roof storage so I am now forced to strap stuff to my ladder that I want to keep outside. Such as a WaterPort/shovel/etc. I mount these to the Rago Fabrication Ladder Accessory mounts. The downside to this is that because of the clamping design from BajaRack the ladder is able to shift side to side. So after a day of hard wheeling with the stuff on it the top of the ladder will shift to the side. There is no remedy for this other than to push the ladder back over. (I am not sure if this is a BajaRack specific problem but I've not heard of others having issues)

The OEM lift supports did not hold up. They would hold the ladder up but there was no assistance in lifting it. And as it got colder they were no help at all. I ended up getting new supports from LiftSupportDepot.com. They have gas charged ones for like $25 each. The description actually says "For additional weight as some have added a ladder". The new supports actually support the hatch now with the ladder and a full WaterPort.

Long story short if I had to do it over again I would do the exact same thing. Still love the ladder and it still comes in handy opening and closing the rtt, and I am able to sit and stand on the rtt when it is closed which is nice for just chilling. I hope that answers your question! Good luck!

-PS that roof rack combo you mentioned is fantastic. I've a friend that ran that before getting the LFD 7/8 rack and he loved it. The medium sits on the roof rails so it helps to stiffen it up. Very nice setup.

 

[Turfboy]

Is this the one?

Lift Supports Depot PM3489 Gas Charged Liftgate Lift Support

 

[T4RZAN]

Is this the one?

Lift Supports Depot PM3489 Gas Charged Liftgate Lift Support

That's the one! Note that they're sold individually so it automatically has QTY at 2

 

[4RunnerBoise]

Sorry to reincarnate this thread. I am also having an issue with the paint behind my ladder. I usually climb the ladder with my boots. I use the ladder often to carry lumber for house projects. I am noticing that there are several scratches from possibly my boots basically right under the rear mirror. I initially didn't think it was from my feet but can't think of how else all these scratches are coming about.

Is the consensus to just extend the clear tape all the way up to the rear mirror? I did place some clear tape but only had it approximately 4 inches from the height of each rung of the ladder thinking that was where my foot would have the possibility of hitting the vehicle. Is anyone else noticing this issue or am I just rough with the placement of my feet when coming down the ladder?
Thanks for the input.

Just for reference, I wear size 11 boots and have the gobi ladder.

After several un-returned calls to the local Toyota dealer to have them put clear bra under my Gobi rack ladder I went to Tint World (national chain). I had them do the ladder plus the rear door edges and rear door handle cups which were not done by my dealer at the time of purchase. Very happy with the results which cost about $175.

 

[007Tacoma]

Oh yeah that guy!

...
-PS that roof rack combo you mentioned is fantastic. I've a friend that ran that before getting the LFD 7/8 rack and he loved it. The medium sits on the roof rails so it helps to stiffen it up. Very nice setup.

...and I still love it. About to take it back off and put the RTT back up. Fall is coming.

I'm hoping to get the @C4_Fabrication ladder by the end of the year if LFD doesn't come up with one first... Everything I have gotten from LFD Off Road has been amazing. I am definitely a fan.

 

[mtnbiker49]

There is good and bad to it. I've no regrets and am glad I went with BajaRack as I still think it is the best looking ladder out there. However my use for it has changed. I now have a RTT so I have no roof storage so I am now forced to strap stuff to my ladder that I want to keep outside. Such as a WaterPort/shovel/etc. I mount these to the Rago Fabrication Ladder Accessory mounts. The downside to this is that because of the clamping design from BajaRack the ladder is able to shift side to side. So after a day of hard wheeling with the stuff on it the top of the ladder will shift to the side. There is no remedy for this other than to push the ladder back over. (I am not sure if this is a BajaRack specific problem but I've not heard of others having issues)

The OEM lift supports did not hold up. They would hold the ladder up but there was no assistance in lifting it. And as it got colder they were no help at all. I ended up getting new supports from LiftSupportDepot.com. They have gas charged ones for like $25 each. The description actually says "For additional weight as some have added a ladder". The new supports actually support the hatch now with the ladder and a full WaterPort.

Long story short if I had to do it over again I would do the exact same thing. Still love the ladder and it still comes in handy opening and closing the rtt, and I am able to sit and stand on the rtt when it is closed which is nice for just chilling. I hope that answers your question! Good luck!

-PS that roof rack combo you mentioned is fantastic. I've a friend that ran that before getting the LFD 7/8 rack and he loved it. The medium sits on the roof rails so it helps to stiffen it up. Very nice setup.

The Gobi has 3m double sided tape on the upper and lower brackets, so it isn't going anywhere.