Roof Rack Options - Roof Top Box

[KingPrat]

Edit for clarification - I am not looking for solutions that utilize the factory side rails. They don't move the box far enough forward to open the hatch w/o interference....



This is an odd type of question, but I'm at a loss.

I'm a skier and I have a rood-top box that I use to haul skis and etc around. It's the Yakima Carbonite Lo - bought specifically for low clearance/fitting in the garage. I also ski on 185cm skis, so box has to be long.

What I didn't realize is that the stock cross rails have such little clearance that the clamps don't have enough room to fit under. (Worked fine on my 3rd Gen) So, I bought Yakima cross rails w/ Timberline feet, which are great, but they basically negate the idea of having a low profile box as they sit on top of the cross rails.

It also drives me absolutely bonkers that I can't open my lift gate without interference. Damn 4Runners and their ridiculously short side rails... :hurt:

I've spent hours over the past few days reading up on Prinsu and SSO full-length racks, thinking that this would be a possible solution to both problems. I'm seeing, however, that cross rail clearances are 1" or somewhere in that region, which throws me right back into the original issue. There's also a lot of requests for similar information and I just can't seem to find a definitive answer.

Dual request:

1) Looking for feedback from anyone with a Prinsu or SSO (or similar low-profile) full-length roof rack that has actual experience with a roof top box w/ claw-style clamps.

2) Anyone who can point me in the direction of a more budget-friendly solution to move that front mounting point more over the moonroof. Doesn't have to be permanent, but I'd love to regain access to my rear hatch....

 

[spartacus]

A forum member manufactures and sells brackets that sit a bit higher then the rails May be these might work.
Shop | NiseRack.com
5th Gen Aluminum Roof Rack Using OEM Siderails: NiseRack

 

[KingPrat]

A forum member manufactures and sells brackets that sit a bit higher then the rails May be these might work.
Shop | NiseRack.com
5th Gen Aluminum Roof Rack Using OEM Siderails: NiseRack

Thanks. I've seen these, and they solve the crossbar clearance issue, but utilizing the stock factory side rails doesn't solve the rear hatch issue.

 

[spartacus]

Thanks. I've seen these, and they solve the crossbar clearance issue, but utilizing the stock factory side rails doesn't solve the rear hatch issue.

Have you considered hitch mount ski rack instead?

 

[KingPrat]

Have you considered hitch mount ski rack instead?

Do they make hitch-mount boxes? I would never put my skis in one of those open hitch-mount racks. Salt/grime in the binding is a no-go. Switched to a rooftop box a few years ago and never looked back.

 

[John in NC]

These give a bit more clearance over stock and are much stronger.

LFD Off Road - Ruggedized Crossbar 5th Gen

 

[KingPrat]

These give a bit more clearance over stock and are much stronger.

LFD Off Road - Ruggedized Crossbar 5th Gen

Factory side rails don't allow me the room to mount the box far enough forward to open the hatch without interference.

 

[aelfkins]

I think there's 5-7 different companies making the Prinsu style roof rack.
I've got the Victory 4x4 variant. 4Runner Roof Rack | 4th & 5th Gen (03+) - Victory 4x4(R)

The crossbars on mine are 2"x1" with an 1" of space between the roof and the bottom of the crossbar.

If the claws on your Skybox won't clamp on the Prinsu style crossbar, you could look into getting a replacement or used TRD Pro rack. TRD Pro 4Runner Roof Rack 2015+ [PT278-89190] - $655.07 : Pure 4Runner, 5th Gen 4Runner Mods and 4Runner Accessories
They look like there's more bar to roof clearance, and they might slide a bit more towards the front than a standard 4runner crossbar.

 

[John in NC]

I think the lfd ruggedized bars allow you to slide a bit further forward plus give a bit more roof to bar clearance over factory crossbars.

Also some people have rigged up a limiting strap for the tailgate so it doesn’t hit the roof box.

 

[KingPrat]

I think there's 5-7 different companies making the Prinsu style roof rack.
I've got the Victory 4x4 variant. 4Runner Roof Rack | 4th & 5th Gen (03+) - Victory 4x4(R)

The crossbars on mine are 2"x1" with an 1" of space between the roof and the bottom of the crossbar.

If the claws on your Skybox won't clamp on the Prinsu style crossbar, you could look into getting a replacement or used TRD Pro rack. TRD Pro 4Runner Roof Rack 2015+ [PT278-89190] - $655.07 : Pure 4Runner, 5th Gen 4Runner Mods and 4Runner Accessories
They look like there's more bar to roof clearance, and they might slide a bit more towards the front than a standard 4runner crossbar.

Is it 1" clearance on your Victory all the way across the roof? Box is around 30" wide, so if the bars are a bit higher toward the outside that could be the ticket.

I just have zero friends who also have a 4R and have them modified, so this is the only place I can ask these questions...

 

[KingPrat]

I think I found a solution. Will post photos once I undertake the project, but it's much more budget friendly than a full rack (which I don't really need...)

Thanks everyone for their feedback

 

[cyber96]

In a similar boat as you. I have the largest cargo box Thule makes and use it for our road trips/camping/etc. The tailgate hits it and will damage the car over time (had the same problem on my 4th gen too).

I'm pulling the trigger on a Prinsu 7/8 rack as its the same price as a cargo box and the rack will work with all Thule universal clamps (ski, bike, etc). SO I wont have to switch to a different mounting system for my rack attachments.

Share what you end up doing! I'll post pictures once I get my Prinsu installed with the cargo box and ski rack mounted.

 

[srsrogerissrs]

I have a fairly large thule evolution box that I ran a few iterations with ways of mounting. It's pretty difficult to find a way utilizing the stock rack that allows it to sit forward enough to stop it from hitting the hatch. I ended up using some paracord to create a strap that prevented the hatch from opening all the way. On my thule box (more old school and doesn't use clamps), there are other holes to adjust where the mounting location is. I was able to squeeze the box a few inches forward that way to school it up, I think it still hits the hatch but not by much. The sandwich style mounting of my box hasn't been an issue with either of my setups. I'm not too familiar with the claw style, so I can't comment as to how they'll mount with my various setups.

Iteration 1

Yakima cross bars with the yakima mounts for stock rack.

Pros - Can be affordable if you piece together a kit with some used stuff from craigslist. Rigid and plenty of clearance to the roof.

Cons - Can sit a few inches above the stock rack. (If you're worried about your height of the 4runner i.e. parking garages etc)

Iteration 2

LFD crossbars w/ stock rack

(I switched to LFD crossbars so I could run an awning with some basic L brackets)

Pros - Sits a little lower than the yakima setup. Very rigid. Has the options to mount other things to them (awning, lights etc).

Cons - Still has the limitations of the stock rack in terms of where the box sits.

3rd Iteration

Baja Rack (Only switched to a full rack because I found a killer deal on craigslist, otherwise I would still probably be using the LFD crossbars)

Pros - obviously the best setup I've had so far. I can mount the box wherever I want. I can mount an awning, lights, etc etc.