Roof Rack Idea - Crossbars ONLY/No Rails

[mbumpus11]

I feel like I've asked this before, but didn't get many responses (if any), and my research has yielded zilch...

When people replace their roof rails with a roof rack (Gobi, Frontrunner...) those typically mount directly into the stock roof mounts for the rails.

My question is this: Does anyone know of the proper base or system (such as Yakima or Thule) that will mount directly into the stock roof mount locations for only the crossbars? I'm not needing a full roof rack, and anything I would carry up top would be long enough to contact both cross bars, and I don't need the adjustability to slide the crossbars back-and-forth.

Anyone know?

 

[ST1FLER]

rockyroad outfitters

 

[mbumpus11]

rockyroad outfitters

Is your comment meaning to direct me to their website, or to call them and do a custom job because there is nothing that I can find on their website pertaining to my question?

 

[ST1FLER]

 

[3wbdriver]

I think he wants to completely remove the rails and replace them with 2 crossbars that attach at the factory points.
[MENTION=123822]mbumpus11[/MENTION], you could just get a set of Baja Rack, Gobi, etc bases, and have a local metal shop fab you up a pair of crossbars to attach on those. Might not be as pretty, but should be fully functional.

 

[Jdavera]

Is your comment meaning to direct me to their website, or to call them and do a custom job because there is nothing that I can find on their website pertaining to my question?

http://www.rocky-road.com/5th-gen-4runner-roof-rack.html

 

[mbumpus11]

I think he wants to completely remove the rails and replace them with 2 crossbars that attach at the factory points.


[MENTION=123822]mbumpus11[/MENTION], you could just get a set of Baja Rack, Gobi, etc bases, and have a local metal shop fab you up a pair of crossbars to attach on those. Might not be as pretty, but should be fully functional.

You've got the idea! I hadn't thought about just ordering rack bases by themselves. Will look into that. I'm sure I could also call Yakima and Thule to see if they have any ideas.

 

[mace.]

You've got the idea! I hadn't thought about just ordering rack bases by themselves. Will look into that. I'm sure I could also call Yakima and Thule to see if they have any ideas.

Thule and Yakima definitely have solutions for a fixed mount rack or adding a low profile t-channel. As long as your cool with drilling into the roof you should be able to find something.

 

[Lugboot]

Yakima does not make a base that bolts directly into the existing factory rack mounting points. Unfortunately.

 

[sandcrawler]

Yakima does not make a base that bolts directly into the existing factory rack mounting points. Unfortunately.

nor Thule. both companies' stance is that all 4Runner trim levels come with an OEM roof rack, so they won't develop aftermarket options for it.

like [MENTION=77504]mace.[/MENTION] said, they do provide a track kit, but that requires you to drill into the roof. that can be sketchy, and i'd only want to do it as a last resort. suggestions above to get Gobi or Baja rack bases sound solid to me.

i removed my factory rack years ago, and did a roll-your-own Thule rack using podium towers (door jamb mount) and half a Tundra, half a Taco fit kit. it works well for my needs, which are fairly lightweight. i wouldn't trust it with an exceptional amount of weight up there.

your custom direction utilizing the factory roof mounts seems like a good way to go. good luck!

 

[AZrunner11]

Hefty Fabworks

When I was talking to Chris at the FJ Summit about roof racks and rooftop tents, he mentioned he could fabricate crossbars for me to be the width of the factory rails. I'm not sure how they would mount as it seems like the mounting point of the factory crossbars are the weak point.

However, RockyRoad's product appears to be a viable alternative to a Gobi or like roof rack.

 

[p_j_o]

Funny that you bring this up mbumpus11. I have been thinking the same thing for the last little bit, mainly because all the Gobi, Baja, etc cost WAY too much to ship to Canada and it would probably be easier to get one manufactured local...

That being said, what I was thinking - and you might like this idea too - is using the parts in the Rack delete thread temporarily remove the towers and use them to have new ones fabricated to your own shape/desire/accommodation/etc.

That might be a good way to have a "2 post + crossbar" customized rack

pjo

 

[Lugboot]

Funny that you bring this up mbumpus11. I have been thinking the same thing for the last little bit, mainly because all the Gobi, Baja, etc cost WAY too much to ship to Canada and it would probably be easier to get one manufactured local...

That being said, what I was thinking - and you might like this idea too - is using the parts in the Rack delete thread temporarily remove the towers and use them to have new ones fabricated to your own shape/desire/accommodation/etc.

That might be a good way to have a "2 post + crossbar" customized rack

pjo

Something like this crossed my mind, too (no pun intended)...but the thought was to look at the Yakima or Thule tower you want and see if there is a way to modify or fab a baseplate for the towers to mount to, that would then bolt to the factory holes.

Example--Yakima Control Towers:

Get the Control Towers and then figure out what Landing Pad would work...fab an adapter plate out of a piece of stock that can bolt to the factory holes and then the Landing Pad can bolt to in turn...mount the Control Tower to your modded Landing Pad interface.

https://www.yakima.com/control-tower

https://assets.yakima.com/product/instructions/8000214

 

[bartvonwolf]

I have a similar idea but I want to utilize the full length of my roof to accommodate a James Baroud Evasion Evo hard shell roof top tent. For this, I don't really need a basket of any kind, just four stout bars to bolt the tent to.

So, does anyone know if anywhere sells simply towers that bolt right up to the factory roof rack mounting holes? I may end up fabbing my own if it seems like the logical option.

Bart

 

[mace.]

So, does anyone know if anywhere sells simply towers that bolt right up to the factory roof rack mounting holes? I may end up fabbing my own if it seems like the logical option.



Bart

Obviously you didn't read thread.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Cross rails only

I think the problem with this crossbars-only idea is that you still need somewhere on the sides of loads to tie them down. The longitudinal rails fill that need.

The other problem is the roof has a slight arch to it so anything bolted on the sides needs to be high enough to clear the roof. Lay a straight edge over the OEM side rails to see what the actual rise is. You have to be able to get a rope or strap under it. With the OEM side rails it's a bit hard to pass a 1/2" rope underneath.

The Rocky Road solution looks pretty good for what you want and it only costs $250. The basic rack shown on the website has 3 cross rails bolted into the OEM side rails. One of the images on that site shows the rack with axes, tanks, etc on top but you can see the bolt on brackets and height of the cross rails.

http://www.rocky-road.com/5th-gen-4r...roof-rack.html

For the money and effort of the Thule towers linked in a post above you could simply buy the Baja Standard Rack for $800. It's a bit taller but gives you tie down rails on 4 sides of the rack. It looks like the side rails are the same height all around so you can easily lay something longer like a kayak, canoe, skis or lumber on top of it.

Also look at the Baja Utility Rack for an idea of just how low the rack can be without touching. Notice the height dimension in the spec's for that one.

 

[Bonesetter]

Factory crossbars vs aftermarket crossbars vs hard mount

New to T4R, thought this might help... My buddy reps for Yakima, and we’re discussing the best setups for my rig; from what I understand, mounting to the factory crossbars gives you a weight-bearing limit of around 150 lbs. Installing Yakima crossbars and towers to factory rails increases the limit to more like 300, and hard-mounting direct to the roof increases the limit to >400. Those numbers are probably pretty rough, and Yak prob has harder ones. If I get more info, I’ll share it. I would also assume that these principles translate pretty well for Gobi and others.

 

[erikjon]

As others have mentioned, there are t-track options, but rather than full-length tracks you could just put a short section in each of the original rail foot locations. You could source some track, cut 4 short sections to fill the original mounting location, drill 2 countersunk holes to line up with the original roof rack mounting holes and mount them with flat head/countersunk M8 (?) bolts. Rhino Rack's RLT600 (Quick Mount? Leg Set - #RLT600 | Rhino-Rack) is designed around their track system and would drop right in.

I would think you'd want a t-track with a beefy lower profile to accept a countersunk hole. Rhino's RTS545 (RTS Tracks - #RTS544 | Rhino-Rack) already mounts using this holes + rivets. I suppose if cost weren't an issue you could order those tracks and just hack off what you don't need. Or just bite the bullet and drill/install the whole track!

I considered the Rhino track system but opted for a full-length Prinsu for my needs. Drilled the roof and never looked back!

Good luck!

 

[Grape Ape]

I have the Rhino setup and it's great. I'll admit that drilling into my new TRDP less than 3 weeks after buying it was tough, but I got over it. The track allows me all kinds of options with the strength of any full length roof rack and also allows me to use the original OEM mount points to install a full length if I want without having to remove the Rhino track. Quite possibly the best long term solution.

Best part is that I have a "roof rack" delete look in 5 minutes if I choose as well.

As others have mentioned, there are t-track options, but rather than full-length tracks you could just put a short section in each of the original rail foot locations. You could source some track, cut 4 short sections to fill the original mounting location, drill 2 countersunk holes to line up with the original roof rack mounting holes and mount them with flat head/countersunk M8 (?) bolts. Rhino Rack's RLT600 (Quick Mount? Leg Set - #RLT600 | Rhino-Rack) is designed around their track system and would drop right in.

I would think you'd want a t-track with a beefy lower profile to accept a countersunk hole. Rhino's RTS545 (RTS Tracks - #RTS544 | Rhino-Rack) already mounts using this holes + rivets. I suppose if cost weren't an issue you could order those tracks and just hack off what you don't need. Or just bite the bullet and drill/install the whole track!

I considered the Rhino track system but opted for a full-length Prinsu for my needs. Drilled the roof and never looked back!

Good luck!

 

[4RCrusing]

Home made but they work