Roof racks front runner vs the rest

DarkTides

New member
I’m considering getting the front runner slimline I for my gen 5 4 runner but wanted to know everyone’s thoughts on it and hear about other racks that are comparable. I will be using it for my cvt roof top tent and my surfboards.

Thank you
 
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Rhino Rack would be another one to consider compared to the Front Runner. Rhino Rack has a lower up front cost ($950ish with the backbone mount), but accessories are more expensive (but high quality). Frontrunner has a higher up front cost for the rack but acessories are a little cheaper.

I have been able to get the Frontrunner corner brackets to fit my Rhino Rack. they are similar in the T-slot design but the way they mount is different between the two companies so unfortunately not everything will work on both and some will take a little modification.
 
Rhino Rack would be another one to consider compared to the Front Runner. Rhino Rack has a lower up front cost ($950ish with the backbone mount), but accessories are more expensive (but high quality). Frontrunner has a higher up front cost for the rack but acessories are a little cheaper.

I have been able to get the Frontrunner corner brackets to fit my Rhino Rack. they are similar in the T-slot design but the way they mount is different between the two companies so unfortunately not everything will work on both and some will take a little modification.

Thank you I really appreciate it. Have you tried using the Roof top ten attachments or surf rack attachments by chance?
 
Thank you I really appreciate it. Have you tried using the Roof top ten attachments or surf rack attachments by chance?

No, just the corner brackets for storage boxes. The t-slot channels line up pretty well, it's just that rhino rack uses a rectangular nut in the channel, and front runner uses an actual nut. The channel is larger on the rhino rack so it won't hold a regular nut in place if that makes sense.

I just bought a couple of the rotopax mount kits for $18, which gave me the hardware so needed to make the FR corner brackets work. Also used some rhino rack eye bolts.

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I’m considering getting the front runner slimline I for my gen 5 4 runner but wanted to know everyone’s thoughts on it and hear about other racks that are comparable. I will be using it for my cvt roof top tent and my surfboards.

Thank you

Also consider the Prinsu Design as an option, similar to Front Runner, but more affordable.
 

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I have had the front runner slimline II rack on for about a month now and so far love it. Installation requires you to drill 4 front mounting holes but I chose to not drill those out to see how it would be. So far the rack is still solid even without drilling. I can take it by the hands and try and rip it back and forth and it just pulls the truck its so solid. I used some heavy duting gorilla mounting tape to just keep the rack from vibrating in the front and it gives a little ease of mind too.

The main reason I went with the front runner rack is because of all the different mounting support they have for all different types of accessories.
 
I have had the front runner slimline II rack on for about a month now and so far love it. Installation requires you to drill 4 front mounting holes but I chose to not drill those out to see how it would be. So far the rack is still solid even without drilling. I can take it by the hands and try and rip it back and forth and it just pulls the truck its so solid. I used some heavy duting gorilla mounting tape to just keep the rack from vibrating in the front and it gives a little ease of mind too.

The main reason I went with the front runner rack is because of all the different mounting support they have for all different types of accessories.

Do you have picts of your roof rack install where you used Gorilla Tape?
 
Do you have picts of your roof rack install where you used Gorilla Tape?


Cant really see the gorilla tape but its underneath the front mounting point. Its cut to the length of the mount and the gorilla tape was the exact width of it as well. The mount sits ontop of the weather stripping. But for point of reference here are a couple of photos.
 

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I love my FR rack... Not to mention that their customer service is top notch.

The only negative feedback is that their slats are too long to (safely) lock in a cargo box like Thuley or Yakama.

People doe it but the clamps arent fully locked.
 
If I had to do it over again, I'd get a Front Runner, mainly because of the accessories that are available and the T'slots on both the side rails and cross make it easy to attach accessories.

I currently own a prinsu rack which is a great rack in itself, but it doesn't really have any accessories that are designed by/for prinsu. I found out about front runner and rhino racks because I had to modify their accessories for my prinsu rack. I should have just bought a FR in the first place.
 
That looks really clean. I think I might try this route before actually drilling.

Cant really see the gorilla tape but its underneath the front mounting point. Its cut to the length of the mount and the gorilla tape was the exact width of it as well. The mount sits ontop of the weather stripping. But for point of reference here are a couple of photos.
 
I have had the front runner slimline II rack on for about a month now and so far love it. Installation requires you to drill 4 front mounting holes but I chose to not drill those out to see how it would be. So far the rack is still solid even without drilling. I can take it by the hands and try and rip it back and forth and it just pulls the truck its so solid. I used some heavy duting gorilla mounting tape to just keep the rack from vibrating in the front and it gives a little ease of mind too.

The main reason I went with the front runner rack is because of all the different mounting support they have for all different types of accessories.

I want the front runner for this exact reason. Any road noise at highway speeds on your drill-less mount?
 
I want the front runner for this exact reason. Any road noise at highway speeds on your drill-less mount?

Barely any noticeable road noise from the rack. Just make sure to install the wind deflectors. I originally left those off because I was going to install the light bar in the same spot a couple days later but had to put it on because as soon as I went over 40mph without them it was game over.
 
Barely any noticeable road noise from the rack. Just make sure to install the wind deflectors. I originally left those off because I was going to install the light bar in the same spot a couple days later but had to put it on because as soon as I went over 40mph without them it was game over.

I looked at rack accessories, rack components and all through the Front Runner site but cannot find the wind deflectors. Would you mind pointing me in the right direction? I feel like its going to be right in my face but no dice.
 

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