Roof Rack options / help

[Intruder]

My faring sits pretty close to the roof as well but I'm not too concerned. Most of the weight you put on it is going to be closer to the back so I don't think it'll bend the faring down, plus the two front brackets should help keep it level.

After all the talk of leaky roofs I ended up putting enough silicone around the white plastic holes to make a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon proud. Also put the teflon tape around the bolt threads so I should be pretty water tight. Since I was at it I also put some Loctite on all the other bolts and put a coat of flat black Tremclad on all of them. They'll still need another coat or two but so far I like the look a lot better.

 

[brockeverly]

Thanks man, glad it isn't just me. I was thinking that it would be okay, but needed reassurance. I thought maybe I had the rack a bit offset or something. I am looking for a good RTT now for boondocking places I cannot get my trailer, but may settle for a regular tent so I still have storage. Thinking of ordering a GOBI ladder as well. Rolling the window down and using that ledge works great for getting up there, but I do not like dirtying up the inside of my truck like that.

Hauled a 5 gallon gas can up there with a cheap gas can holder made for a trunk found at Walmart, I believe the manufacturer was Blitz. Stayed firmly planted, but howled a bit. Made a 100 mile roadtrip today and also found anything above 60 there is a bit more wind noise. Not enough to complain about, mainly because I do not care. It is a great rack, could not really be happier.

 

[brockeverly]

Check this out. Would be sweet, roll the window down in the back and have access to everything in back. For $300 its not too bad!

Rightline Gear CampRight SUV Tent : Target

 

[Intruder]

I've been thinking about a RTT but I need to stop since there's no way I could fit in my parking garage with one. The ones I'd consider are the ARB or Columbus. I know people who have them and get a lot of use out of them without any issues. The person with the Columbus actually has it mounted on her FJ with the Baja flat utility rack...

 

[brockeverly]

Here's some higher quality pics of the Bajarack + Gobi Ladder

I am thinking of buying the ladder for my rack as well. Any chance I could trouble you for some photos of the clearance of the rack to the ladder? I have the utility series rack, but I would assume the clearance should be the same seeing as the bottom should be the same as yours.

 

[joneseyyy]

I am thinking of buying the ladder for my rack as well. Any chance I could trouble you for some photos of the clearance of the rack to the ladder? I have the utility series rack, but I would assume the clearance should be the same seeing as the bottom should be the same as yours.

Assuming the length/width dimensions are the exact same on our racks, the Gobi Ladder will contact the Bajarack slightly before the hatch reaches the fully-extended position. Although I have chosen not to, I believe you could dremel a couple mm from the top of the ladder frame without compromising the structure and get it to clear.

 

[MrClark003]

I have a question for all of you with roof racks. Do you think there will be any difference in wind noise between a rack that goes all the way to in front of the sunroof (such as a Gobi Stealth) or a rack that stops behind the sunroof (such as the shorter Baja rack)? I ask because I use my sunroof year-round, so wind noise is somewhat important. I guess if the noise is somewhat the same either way, I'll just have to get a better (louder) stereo.

 

[limamike]

I have a question for all of you with roof racks. Do you think there will be any difference in wind noise between a rack that goes all the way to in front of the sunroof (such as a Gobi Stealth) or a rack that stops behind the sunroof (such as the shorter Baja rack)? I ask because I use my sunroof year-round, so wind noise is somewhat important. I guess if the noise is somewhat the same either way, I'll just have to get a better (louder) stereo.

I have noticed 0.0 difference in wind noise. Actually, I lie - when the sunroof is open there is actually less buffeting because the wind isn't going directly over the sunroof. But, as far as going down the highway all buttoned-up there's no difference at all. I have a Baja full length utility rack, btw.

 

[brockeverly]

I don't notice any significant issues with increased sound with the sunroof closed. With it open, as said above, the buffeting is gone. The sound is increased when its open, but not enough to care. I highly recommend the Baja utility rack, it is fantastic and their support is top notch.

 

[Intruder]

I used to have a Yakima Load Warrior with the faring behind the sunroof and the wind noise at highway speeds was bad. I think it's because the air was hitting the faring just above and behind the sunroof opening. With the Baja I don't notice any wind noise at all. My Duratracs definitely make more noise than the rack does.

 

[GorillaSooner]

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but this is driving me crazy and I didn't want to start a new thread on it. I'm looking into getting a roof rack but still hung up on what one to get. I'm going to lay out what I've been looking at and I thought you guys may be able to give me some opinions.

Right now as I see it, I can go with a Baja or a Gobi stealth. The Gobi Stealth seems nice, but my issue with that rack is... Is there anywhere to buy it other than eBay? Because of the lack of a solid store backing the Gobi stealth, I'm leaning towards a Baja roof rack, but not sure which one to get. As I see it, there are 2 types.

The long one ($850+Shipping):

The short one ($695+Shipping): Thread on this one.

Just for the sake of being thorough, in case someone else is referencing this, here is the Gobi Stealth ($1309 including shipping from ebay) with Great Install Directions from Reats's Build thread on this one as well as a link to Their Web Site for the 2010 4Runner:

First let me ask, can some one please point me to a thread showing the install of the long Baja rack. I've looked at a TON of threads and am struggling to find someone showing how to install the baja rack. I've seen one on here before, and it is driving me crazy that I cannot find it. If I have to drill, I'm not interested in the long rack right now...

One foretelling one for me was iDRiVaT4R's post showing the short rack, then when I went to his Build Thread to see if he had any install photos, all I could find were pictures of the long rack on his T4R... Which to me says he got the short one, but later decided it wasn't good enough and got the long rack (I may be wrong, but my assumption I drew from that).

I like the looks of the long one better, but it seems as though the install will be a little harder than the short and I do not want to drill.

Let me know if you feel I'm being irrational by writing off the Gobi Stealth for the lack of a solid seller. I love the idea of buying direct from the company with the Baja rack, but I like that the Gobi is made in the USA. I am a little uncomfortable with Gobi though because it doesn't seem like their website has been updated since 2010 (nothing but the 2010 4Runner listed there and mine is a 2012).

I know it will also be said, "Depends what you are using it for..." And that is for extra room for travel. I love mountain biking and I have a hitch rack for that, so no bikes up there.

Any additional info or opinions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[TOPDECK]

You will not have to drill for the Baja Rack. I installed mine in about 30 minutes. You will have to have a star key to remove the factory rack.

There are two bolts at each attachment point (4 per side). You simply unbolt and remove the factory rack and bolt on the Baja Rack. You will bolt the pillars on first, then put the rack on the vehicle and bolt it to the pillars. The bolts on the pillars to the truck, and on the rack are simple 1/2'' standard bolts.

It is really no problem at all.

 

[brockeverly]

RiDE on the forum sells the GOBI. There is literally nothing to the install. I started snapping photos when installing my flat BajaRack, and thought this is stupid and unnecessary. You pop off the factory rail ends, take out two bolts on each end, and pull it off. Put the new rack mounts on the roof, put the 16 bolts back in, set the rack on and bolt it down to the mounts. Done. Takes all of an hour at most.

As for the rack selections, I am partial to the BajaRack full length utility rack. Maintains a low profile, holds a ton of stuff, and I like the floor style better than the GOBI. Only downside is that the GOBI ladder contacts it when opening the hatch. Given the choice again, I would chose the same setup.

Andddd, because I am a photo whore, here is the Baja and GOBI ladder :hungry:

 

[GorillaSooner]

It says on their website, "no drilling" with the short rack, but it does not say that with the long rack. If there is no drilling, what are the front legs supported by on the long rack?

 

[TOPDECK]

It says on their website, "no drilling" with the short rack, but it does not say that with the long rack. If there is no drilling, what are the front legs supported by on the long rack?

They are stuck with heavy duty 3M adhesive tape. Since you can't put anything all the way up front because of the sun roof opening, the long rack is best used for an awning, or if you want to mount lights up there.

If you want to use a roof top tent, then go with the utility rack.

BTW, you will notice that the Baja Rack fairing does not touch the top of the vehicle like the Gobi. Proper precautions need to be made with the Gobi so you don't scratch up the roof of your car from the fairing moving about when driving, and body flex.

 

[brockeverly]

It says on their website, "no drilling" with the short rack, but it does not say that with the long rack. If there is no drilling, what are the front legs supported by on the long rack?

The front legs are bolted to the rack itself then merely sit on the roof with the Baja (there is some foam attached to the bottom of the "feet" to keep from scratching up the paint). It is not made to support any weight up there aside from lights or a canoe or something that distributes the weight throughout the rack.

 

[GorillaSooner]

Thanks guys! I figured the reason there were no install threads was because it was so easy, but I try not to assume. I'll likely end up going with the long baja rack.

On a seperate question, I don't have a sun roof and the ebay seller of the Gobi rack specifically notes to tell if there is/is not a sun roof. Anyone know if there is a difference in the storage on the gobi without a sunroof? I looked on here but could not find any pictures of a gobi without a sunroof cut-out.

 

[brockeverly]

Thanks guys! I figured the reason there were no install threads was because it was so easy, but I try not to assume. I'll likely end up going with the long baja rack.

On a seperate question, I don't have a sun roof and the ebay seller of the Gobi rack specifically notes to tell if there is/is not a sun roof. Anyone know if there is a difference in the storage on the gobi without a sunroof? I looked on here but could not find any pictures of a gobi without a sunroof cut-out.

I believe both racks can come with bars the full length if there is not a sunroof. However, remember that you cannot put much weight on the front that is not also distributed to the rear without risking damage to your roof.

 

[FJCRUZR]

Is it too late to chime in?

Gobi Ranger no sunroof opening...

Hope this helps!

 

[GorillaSooner]

Is it too late to chime in?

Gobi Ranger no sunroof opening...

Hope this helps!

Definitely not too late, but you just brought on more questions.

1) Where did you get it?
2) How much do one of these run?
3) How high does it stand from the roof?