Roof Rack options / help

[brockeverly]

My ROLA Vortex should be here today, I liked the lower profile it offers, hopefully I will like the consequences enough to leave it on permanently.

I would love to hear how you like it and see a photo of it on. At 2.5'' shorter it may clear my garage door with the RRO. Weight allowance is lower than the Yakima, but I wouldnt be worried about overloading the basket with the monster RRO crossbars.

 

[4RunnerFishin]

Does a roof rack or basket effect gas mileage? I have a Yakima rack and a Load Warrior sitting in the garage. Debating whether I am going to put it on. I wouldn’t think the rack itself would really effect MPG but the roof basket might. Thoughts?

 

[DEKA3]

Does a roof rack or basket effect gas mileage? I have a Yakima rack and a Load Warrior sitting in the garage. Debating whether I am going to put it on. I wouldn’t think the rack itself would really effect MPG but the roof basket might. Thoughts?

I have installed a Megawarrior on stock rack a few days ago and have not noticed a reduction in MPG's so far, nor have I had any issues with wind noise.

 

[rouge1]

Sorry not the best picture. I will take some more later.

 

[brockeverly]

I just replaced my Yakima Load Warrior with a Baja Utility Rack. My two main reasons for going this way were height and weight issues. Because I park underground I got tired of always having to put the Yakima on before a trip then removing it when I got home (often late at night). Since I was putting it onto the factory cross bars the weight limit was also bad for me since 20 gallons of gas and my Hi-Lift pretty much maxed me out. There was also pretty significant wind noise with the Yakima.

The Baja Utility Rack is actually a bit shorter than the factory side rails, so the height isn't an issue at all. There's a cut out in the rack for the sunroof, so there's no issue there. I haven't noticed any added wind noise at all even with the sunroof open. The build quality is outstanding, and the customer service I've received from Baja Rack has been phenomenal. The aesthetics of the Baja might be a bit different for you than it is for my silver TE.

The more I look at this rack, the more I like it. How is it for holding cargo? Seems it would not be as good as their standard rack due to not having the basket type sides. Any increased wind noise? Is there enough space to add lights?

 

[Intruder]

The more I look at this rack, the more I like it. How is it for holding cargo? Seems it would not be as good as their standard rack due to not having the basket type sides. Any increased wind noise? Is there enough space to add lights?

My use for the rack is mostly carrying jerry cans, Hi-Lift, shovel, axe, and possibly a RTT in the future. Even with a basket you're going to have to secure your load, and I think if you had something like Bundu boxes ratcheted down you'd be fine. I had two 10 litre jerry cans up there secured with a single ratchet strap and they didn't shift at all through a full day on the trails.

I have not noticed any wind noise at all, especially compared to the Yakima since it's very low profile and the faring is almost flush with the roof. It's been too cold since I got the Baja to drive with the sunroof open, so I don't know how it'll be with that but I doubt there'll be an issue since the faring is in front of it. I think you could probably add lights to it, but because of my height issues with my underground parking I never considered it.

 

[brockeverly]

I just put an 9" box in various spots on my roof and came in and out of my garage and never hit. Maybe I will look heavier into the standard Bajarack as it is only 6.5" from the roof to the high point of the rack. At $650 it is cheaper than the RRO with a fairing and loadwarrior, and much less of a pain in the ass removing and adding the rack. We camp at least once a month generally speaking, so it will get regular use. I like the full length Bajarack as well, but I think it would look a bit odd on my truck. Then again, I thought the standard one would at first as well. I have been scouring photos for the past week LOL.

Gobi scares me off because of the group buy thread and hearing people waiting 8 weeks and still not having their full orders. I am not one for waiting that long, especially if you have my money.

 

[Intruder]

Yeah, if you have the clearance to go for the basket that was my original plan too. After talking to John at Baja we figured that there would be no way for me to fit in my parkade and we started talking about the utility rack instead. I do like the low-profile stealthy way it looks. The fit and finish on the Baja is incredibly nice too. Don't remember if I mentioned this in my original post, but I ordered and paid for the rack the Monday after American Thanksgiving and it arrived in Canada by Thursday, was at my door on Friday, and on my truck Saturday morning. Not sure how long it would've taken if the rack wasn't in stock though.

 

[brockeverly]

Yeah, if you have the clearance to go for the basket that was my original plan too. After talking to John at Baja we figured that there would be no way for me to fit in my parkade and we started talking about the utility rack instead. I do like the low-profile stealthy way it looks. The fit and finish on the Baja is incredibly nice too. Don't remember if I mentioned this in my original post, but I ordered and paid for the rack the Monday after American Thanksgiving and it arrived in Canada by Thursday, was at my door on Friday, and on my truck Saturday morning. Not sure how long it would've taken if the rack wasn't in stock though.

That is fantastic! That is the kind of shipping I like LOL!

I found a photo of a 40" Rigid LED light mounted to the utility rack and it was fantastic. Looking at the photo in the OP of my truck, would the standard or the flat utility be more aesthetically pleasing? With ratchet straps or a cargo bag the lack of sides won't matter much I suppose.

 

[Intruder]

I'm obviously a little biased, but I think the Utility Rack looks good on any 4Runner. It actually looks way better in person than in any picture I've seen and I've gotten tons of positive comments about it. I don't have a huge variety of pics with it on the truck, but here are a few from a trail run a couple weeks back. If you want any specific angles of it let me know and I'll try to get pics for you tomorrow.

I'm on the far left in this one:

 

[Chrisinvermont]

The more I look at this rack, the more I like it. How is it for holding cargo? Seems it would not be as good as their standard rack due to not having the basket type sides. Any increased wind noise? Is there enough space to add lights?

I love my Baja rack. Sorry no pictures as I am at work but I have had a dozen 2x4's and 6 rolls of R-30 insulation strapped to the top. I also just went to the mill and got a bunch of maple that I loaded onto the rack. I got the baja because there are no sides, it makes it much easier to load. With all of the cross bars it is really easy to tie things down.

As for wind noise, there is a bit of an increase in noise at highway speed but as others have pointed out with the sunroof cover closed you don't hear it. It is not bad at all and I am very satified with the rack.

 

[Chrisinvermont]

I've gotten tons of positive comments about it.

This is so true. Every time my wife and I come out from somewhere to return to the 4Runner there is someone walking around it checking it out. Also when driving we notice lots of stares and rubbernecking. A few people at work have asked about the rack as well. It is so much better than the worthless factory rack.

 

[brockeverly]

GOBI rack guys, could you measure from the roof to the highest point on the rack? I have read that it adds 8" to the roof height, can someone confirm? The following photos are of a box that is around 8.5" tall on the roof at the back of the sunroof. I am assuming that the 8" addition would be at the rails, so more like 6" at the center of the roof, but we all know what assuming does.

The only reason I am looking that direction is that with my PayPal card I get free financing for 6 months if I pay by 12/31, and BajaRack is closed until 1/1 :AK47: I know that the price difference will not be what interest would be if paid over six months, but at $1300 shipped with a ladder vs $970 ($850 + $120 shipping) and have to fab up something for lights and not have the ladder, it may well be worth it. I really do like the Baja utility rack better, but humor me LOL

 

[MarkWalker]

I'm obviously a little biased, but I think the Utility Rack looks good on any 4Runner. It actually looks way better in person than in any picture I've seen and I've gotten tons of positive comments about it. I don't have a huge variety of pics with it on the truck, but here are a few from a trail run a couple weeks back. If you want any specific angles of it let me know and I'll try to get pics for you tomorrow.

I'm on the far left in this one:

What a beautiful area, and it looks like you guys are having a blast as well!! Oh, and the rack looks good also. (Never said that to a guy before.)

 

[brockeverly]

GOBI rack guys, could you measure from the roof to the highest point on the rack? I have read that it adds 8" to the roof height, can someone confirm? The following photos are of a box that is around 8.5" tall on the roof at the back of the sunroof. I am assuming that the 8" addition would be at the rails, so more like 6" at the center of the roof, but we all know what assuming does.

The only reason I am looking that direction is that with my PayPal card I get free financing for 6 months if I pay by 12/31, and BajaRack is closed until 1/1 :AK47: I know that the price difference will not be what interest would be if paid over six months, but at $1300 shipped with a ladder vs $970 ($850 + $120 shipping) and have to fab up something for lights and not have the ladder, it may well be worth it. I really do like the Baja utility rack better, but humor me LOL

Bueller? :hungry:

 

[Okki]

Bueller? :hungry:

Got company coming in any moment, but when they head to the Colts game I'll break out the tape measure and camera.

Okki

 

[Antman]

I posted this for 1traildriver awhile back in the group-buy thread...but here it is again:

Measuring straight up from the left front corner (drivers side) of the sunroof weatherstripping to the top of the crossbar is right around 7".

 

[joneseyyy]

Another option...full length Bajarack. Note you can use the Gobi ladder with Bajarack.

 

[brockeverly]

Another option...full length Bajarack. Note you can use the Gobi ladder with Bajarack.

I would like to grab the GOBI ladder if I go with the Baja utility rack. I may just have to wait. I do not see the ladder for sale by itself anywhere, anyone have any idea of the cost for a more accurate comparison?

 

[brockeverly]

I got an email back saying that the GOBI would be delivered Jan 10-11 if ordered this week. I wish I knew how far back bajaracks are going to be after two weeks off :wow: