TRD PRO Basket Mods

[Lostmanifesto]

After doing a thorough search, the only thing I have found is BajaRack now makes a drop-in style basket for the TRD PRO basket-style roof rack. Have any of you found other options or made something yourself? I don't mind the look of the factory rack, I just hate its lack of versatility. The BajaRack design would be great without the front wind fairing. Then, you could lay items down flat inside the rack. That would be exactly what I am after. Keeping items as low as possible.

I'm not one for hanging things off the side of my rack unless I absolutely have to. I have seen too many things fall off when off-road.

RAGO makes a great Modular Factory Rail Support System for the NON Pro racks. I'd love something simple like that for the PRO rack. Hey Rago, you listening?

I'd love to know if anyone out there has done anything with the stock TRD PRO rack. You'd think there would be more stuff out there considering the FJC had a long run with a similar type rack. But, nope.

Yes, I can purchase a number of aftermarket roof racks. That isn't the point of this thread before you say it.

All ears, or rather, eyes. Cheers

Jay

 

[Crush2.0]

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/gene...drop-basket-3.html?highlight=Pro+rack+baskets

 

[Little Tower]

Lostmanifesto,

I own a 2019 TRD Pro but, did not care for the extra height and lack of functionality of the stock pro rack so, I modified it to remove the top rail. Now it has a much lower profile and a much cleaner look (In my opinion). I moved the cross bar that was at the front of the top rail down to the lower rail now making for 4 bars across the rack. I don’t have any good close-up photos of the mods but, here’s one long distance shot.

BTW. I noticed that you are in Mission Viejo. I’m in Foothill Ranch. PM me if you are interested or have any questions.

Thanks,
Tom



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[DallasTRDPro]

I hate the way the TRD Pro rack looks. Unfortunately I want a rack half the height so I will probably end up with a Prinsu.

 

[KDubb]

Prinsu options

I hate the way the TRD Pro rack looks. Unfortunately I want a rack half the height so I will probably end up with a Prinsu.

The awnings and flat gas and water cans make the Prinsu option compelling.

 

[ForRun]

Lostmanifesto,

I own a 2019 TRD Pro but, did not care for the extra height and lack of functionality of the stock pro rack so, I modified it to remove the top rail. Now it has a much lower profile and a much cleaner look (In my opinion). I moved the cross bar that was at the front of the top rail down to the lower rail now making for 4 bars across the rack. I don’t have any good close-up photos of the mods but, here’s one long distance shot.

BTW. I noticed that you are in Mission Viejo. I’m in Foothill Ranch. PM me if you are interested or have any questions.

Thanks,
Tom



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More pics and details on what it took to chop it please.

 

[rageandlove]

I'd love to know if anyone out there has done anything with the stock TRD PRO rack. You'd think there would be more stuff out there considering the FJC had a long run with a similar type rack. But, nope.

Yes, I can purchase a number of aftermarket roof racks. That isn't the point of this thread before you say it.

All ears, or rather, eyes. Cheers

Jay

There's a thread I created probably 3 months ago out there asking if anyone had found a way to make the rack functional. The design of rounded corners and top rail being shorter than the bottom rail is really problematic. I've tried a bunch of things to get boxes, fuel cans, etc. up there and I have found no good solution.

And the only real reply on my thread on this was "Baja rack basket" ... which is almost as expensive as a new more versatile roof rack from the vendor of your choice.

I'm about to pull the plug and just buy a new rack. I'm bummed because I worry about things like water leaks (yes, paranoid), but the rack just isn't functional.

 

[adrummingdude]

There's a thread I created probably 3 months ago out there asking if anyone had found a way to make the rack functional. The design of rounded corners and top rail being shorter than the bottom rail is really problematic. I've tried a bunch of things to get boxes, fuel cans, etc. up there and I have found no good solution.

And the only real reply on my thread on this was "Baja rack basket" ... which is almost as expensive as a new more versatile roof rack from the vendor of your choice.

I'm about to pull the plug and just buy a new rack. I'm bummed because I worry about things like water leaks (yes, paranoid), but the rack just isn't functional.

I'm almost there with you. I like the look of the Pro rack, but need something I can stand on. I haven't given up yet though.

 

[KAPSIG1]

I like the looks of the Pro Rack.
More solutions hopefully will come out soon without a premium price

 

[mcat707]

Lostmanifesto,

I own a 2019 TRD Pro but, did not care for the extra height and lack of functionality of the stock pro rack so, I modified it to remove the top rail. Now it has a much lower profile and a much cleaner look (In my opinion). I moved the cross bar that was at the front of the top rail down to the lower rail now making for 4 bars across the rack. I don’t have any good close-up photos of the mods but, here’s one long distance shot.

BTW. I noticed that you are in Mission Viejo. I’m in Foothill Ranch. PM me if you are interested or have any questions.

Thanks,
Tom



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Any chance you can post close up pics on how yours looks like? Curious to see how you covered up the front plastic mount cover hole where the top tube mounts down into and also everything else.

 

[dcguy]

I'm bummed because I worry about things like water leaks (yes, paranoid), but the rack just isn't functional.

Is this a real concern? How often does this happen to people?

 

[rageandlove]

Is this a real concern? How often does this happen to people?

I suspect not very often. Hence calling myself paranoid.

 

[edgesalon]

Lostmanifesto,

I own a 2019 TRD Pro but, did not care for the extra height and lack of functionality of the stock pro rack so, I modified it to remove the top rail. Now it has a much lower profile and a much cleaner look (In my opinion). I moved the cross bar that was at the front of the top rail down to the lower rail now making for 4 bars across the rack. I don’t have any good close-up photos of the mods but, here’s one long distance shot.

BTW. I noticed that you are in Mission Viejo. I’m in Foothill Ranch. PM me if you are interested or have any questions.

Thanks,

Tom



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Tom what did you do for the holes from the top bar that go to the front of roof rack mounting location and what about the bar in the back of the rack
thanks

 

[Brick Sprickly]

Is this a real concern? How often does this happen to people?

There was a thread here just a week or so ago but I couldn't find it just now, of a 5th gen with intense rust on and around the bolt mounting points in the headliner. I as well as others suspected it may have been due to negligence somewhere, but nonetheless this case was a rare one. I think it's always a concern for those with aftermarket racks, myself included. I just made sure to seal every layer as best as I could during installation and periodically check them by lifting back the headliner with a pry tool and inspecting for moisture. There's so many wires in those locations as well as curtain airbag components so one can never be to safe I suppose. I haven't had a single issue with leakage, thankfully, even after some broad seasonal and locational changes.

 

[tsfarling]

There's a thread I created probably 3 months ago out there asking if anyone had found a way to make the rack functional. The design of rounded corners and top rail being shorter than the bottom rail is really problematic. I've tried a bunch of things to get boxes, fuel cans, etc. up there and I have found no good solution.

And the only real reply on my thread on this was "Baja rack basket" ... which is almost as expensive as a new more versatile roof rack from the vendor of your choice.

I'm about to pull the plug and just buy a new rack. I'm bummed because I worry about things like water leaks (yes, paranoid), but the rack just isn't functional.

This TRD Pro style rack sucked on the FJ. Put an Eezi Awn K9 rack on it if you want functional

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[daytonaviolet]

These straps look promising. I can store multiple items under this.


2019 - newer Toyota 4Runner TRD PRO Base Roof Rack Net – Raingler

YouTube

 

[Little Tower]

Any chance you can post close up pics on how yours looks like? Curious to see how you covered up the front plastic mount cover hole where the top tube mounts down into and also everything else.

The rack comes off fairly easily but, from new, the mounting bolts are very tight with lots of loctite. Just be careful to break one bolt loose then move on to the other before spinning it all of the way out.

For the front foot, I machined a plastic plug that fits tightly into the hole and is held in place from underneath.

For the rear tube, I used a piece of 1 3/4” aluminum tube cut to the same length as the plastic piece it is replacing. I then machined two inserts that were the same diameter as the inside of the stock tubing. Fit them into the tube leaving about an 1 1/2” protruding. I then fit it to the stock rails, drilled through the existing holes. Tapped the inserts and threaded in a new fastener.

For the holes that remained in the top of the rails, I found some grommet plugs and pressed them in.

Hope this answers most of your questions.

Good luck,
Tom


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[mcat707]

Nice job Tom! You should put some kits together and start selling them.

 

[phlawx]

I hate the way the TRD Pro rack looks. Unfortunately I want a rack half the height so I will probably end up with a Prinsu.

Agree... The new TRD pro racks are a step backwards! Check out GOBI, pricey but worth it IMO.

 

[rageandlove]

There was a thread here just a week or so ago but I couldn't find it just now, of a 5th gen with intense rust on and around the bolt mounting points in the headliner. I as well as others suspected it may have been due to negligence somewhere, but nonetheless this case was a rare one. I think it's always a concern for those with aftermarket racks, myself included. I just made sure to seal every layer as best as I could during installation and periodically check them by lifting back the headliner with a pry tool and inspecting for moisture. There's so many wires in those locations as well as curtain airbag components so one can never be to safe I suppose. I haven't had a single issue with leakage, thankfully, even after some broad seasonal and locational changes.

Here is the thread with the rust damage. It's what took me from not worried to paranoid.

(I live in Seattle so the truck is in the rain ~4 months straight every winter.)