Waiting for 2020 TRD Pro - should I buy Gobi Roof Rack now?

I have the stealth with no-rise option...wouldn’t hesitate to buy again. I live 5 mins from Gobi and it still took 22 weeks for mine. They didn’t charge me sales tax when I went to get it either. Best mod I’ve done to date. My wife hated me buying it, but just today said she thinks 4runners look stupid without it. I had zero issues with customer service, but that’s mostly because I knew it would be a 20+ week wait for it. I didn’t call or email, I just waited (very impatiently). My recommendation is if it’s the rack you want like it was for me just pull the trigger and forget about it. One day you will get a call saying it’s ready and it will be like Xmas in July.
 
I've put a deposit down on a 2020 4Runner TRD Pro. I actually like the look of the FJ Style roof rack, but I have a couple of concerns:

1. I will lose some functionality, it's not that "big/long".

I go camping a handful of times throughout the year and we usually put a big Thule Pulse L Cargo box on top. It's 6'4" long, so I already know that wouldn't fit on the stock rack. I could just stay with the stock roof rack and get a smaller roof box, but I'm thinking that cargo box would be really small. We also bike, and my kids are getting bigger (7 and 9 years old) and soon we won't be able to put their bikes in the back cargo area (like we do in our Sienna w/the 3rd row down). So those would either have to go on top or on a bike hitch.

2. The height of the TRD Pro with the stock rack appears to be 79.5" (According to this thread: Height of 2019 TRD Pro).

My garage only has an 81" high opening. So this would be cutting it REALLY close. I don't plan on lifting. I do plan on getting BFG All-Terrain tires, but at the same stock tire size.

As for the Gobi Stealth Rack, I like the style of it. But, I'd probably want to get the one with the sunroof opening.

Question I have: Would it be crazy to order the Gobi Rack now while I'm waiting for the 2020 4Runner TRD Pro? That way I wouldn't have to "wait" for the Gobi rack to be delivered. The roof rack mounts should stay in the same spots according to the photos. I highly doubt they would change that.

If I do buy, I may wait until there's a few more announcements. Like confirmation of a moonroof.

Thanks in advance... Just wanted to see what you guys think as well.
I'll give you a 'guy on the street' opinion.

Keep in mind that I'm not savvy on these things at all. That said, I would never buy an accessory for a truck I didn't possess. Just me and my life - I hate post-purchase regrets. If you can wait on the truck and can wait on the Gobi, then wait. BUT, if the timing is crucial to some trip you're making and the risk doesn't bother you, go for it. Life is to be lived, after all.
 
Well, it is the right order. It looks quite great. Waiting for a few more lights to arrive then will start wiring. Working on a harness that I’ll be able to disconnect if I ever need to remove the rack for some reason.

Also noticed that to fix the incorrect delivery to NC they air freight shipped it to DC area. So, while they’re bad at replying they do try to fix problems as fast as possible.

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Any rust issues?

Nor crazy at all. I’ve had the Gobi installed now for about 7 years and would do it again without hesitation.

I would however ask the dealer if they could maybe give you some credit for the rack you don’t want. I don’t know but will it be a port installed option?

Hey, thanks for the comment. I'm the OP and haven't been responding as I was in Cabo, MX for the President's Day weekend.

Anyway, wanted to ask you since you've had your rack for awhile:

Do you have any rust issues?

I read that Gobi racks will eventually rust. I live in the Pacific Northwest where it rains a lot and I'm a little worried about rust issues. Especially for a rack this expensive.
 
Hey, thanks for the comment. I'm the OP and haven't been responding as I was in Cabo, MX for the President's Day weekend.

Anyway, wanted to ask you since you've had your rack for awhile:

Do you have any rust issues?

I read that Gobi racks will eventually rust. I live in the Pacific Northwest where it rains a lot and I'm a little worried about rust issues. Especially for a rack this expensive.

No. A very small amount on the ladder but easily fixed. But your 4R will rust eventually too.
 
Hey, thanks for the comment. I'm the OP and haven't been responding as I was in Cabo, MX for the President's Day weekend.

Anyway, wanted to ask you since you've had your rack for awhile:

Do you have any rust issues?

I read that Gobi racks will eventually rust. I live in the Pacific Northwest where it rains a lot and I'm a little worried about rust issues. Especially for a rack this expensive.

Given enough time, all steel (including stainless) will tarnish and rust. Even architecture grade powdercoat comes with a max of a 10 or 15 year rust guarantee.

Talk to Gobi on the phone and ask what kind of powdercoat they apply. I ordered my EcoTechne rack in bare steel and then had the powdercoat done locally. Two stage, a zinc primer base coat and a micro-texture black top coat for abrasion resistance. Looks great and I beat the crap out of it.

Whoever does your powdercoat should be confident in their work.
 
Thanks for the feedback [MENTION=208721]mynameistory[/MENTION] and [MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION].

I'll check if Gobi can send me a bare steel rack and I'll just get it powder coated locally.
 
You wont get an estimated build date until Toyota starts accepting orders for allocation on 2020 4Runners. It was July 2018 for the 2019 model run. My order/allocation wasn't accepted until November of 2019. I had a $500 deposit down in March of 2018 and received my Pro Jan. 30th 2019. 10 month wait from a trusted dealer that kept me informed throughout the entire process. Good luck on the wait!

Oh man I hope my timeline doesn't stretch as far out as this one did. But your experience is the best example of what I can expect. Too bad.
 
I love my Southern Style Offroad rack. Completely modular and extremely sexy (IMO) - plus, much cheaper than Gobi. Took a few weeks to deliver and the install was simple with no drilling required. Plus, the people at SSO are very easy to work with and if you need it shipped, they pack those things to survive a nuke.

The Rhinos are pretty slick too.
 
I actually cancelled a 2019 TRD Pro deposit that was expected to hit port today (2/13)! The salesman at the dealership I'm buying at is a family acquaintance. He cancelled my deposit/order for the 2019 and applied it to the 2020. I actually put a sizeable deposit down ($3K) on the 2019 because I wanted to get as much reward points on my credit card. lol.

I don't have an estimated build date, but he did say I would be the first Army Green off their lot. The dealership is a no 2nd sticker dealership, so I'm basically paying MSRP + taxes, licenses, and fees.

Sorry, what's a "2nd sticker dealership"? Does that mean no mark-ups on MSRP? When I meet with my guy today or Monday I'll make sure to sort that out. How are you dealing with BS dealer add-ons during your order process?
 
Sorry, what's a "2nd sticker dealership"? Does that mean no mark-ups on MSRP? When I meet with my guy today or Monday I'll make sure to sort that out. How are you dealing with BS dealer add-ons during your order process?

Correct, the dealership is selling it to me for MSRP (no mark-up). On 1/2/19 when I orginally placed my deposit on the 2019 TRD Pro, I just told them that I didn't want any options and they had one being built from Japan. I would've received it at the end of this month or early next. About a week after I placed a deposit, I had a build sheet with a VIN #. If I wanted options, they would've added them at MSRP.

For the 2020, I don't think they can officially place an order for allocation until June. So, I'll have to wait for more official news till then. He's anticipating Oct/Nov. I'll follow up again once we get closer to June or when we hear more news about options on the 2020's.
 
I'm kinda in the same predicament but have always been concerned with the weight of a GOBI setup. I've been seriously debating between it or a Front Runner rack. Anyone have any thoughts?

Hey, Did you decide if you're getting a Front Runner? I'm actually going back and forth on this as well.

I like the looks of the FR Rack, it's lighter, cheaper, and shouldn't rust since it's alloy.

For the Gobi, personally, I think it's the best looking rack out there. Obvious cons are the wait time, costs, and potential to rust.
 
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Correct, the dealership is selling it to me for MSRP (no mark-up). On 1/2/19 when I orginally placed my deposit on the 2019 TRD Pro, I just told them that I didn't want any options and they had one being built from Japan. I would've received it at the end of this month or early next. About a week after I placed a deposit, I had a build sheet with a VIN #. If I wanted options, they would've added them at MSRP.

For the 2020, I don't think they can officially place an order for allocation until June. So, I'll have to wait for more official news till then. He's anticipating Oct/Nov. I'll follow up again once we get closer to June or when we hear more news about options on the 2020's.

A lot has happened to me on this front this morning, your message included. I just got a call from my contact at the closest Toyota dealership to my home and he mirrored what you said. They don't anticipate orders being placed until summer. I asked him how long from time of order to delivery would be and he estimated 3 months. Glad to hear similar information from another buyer in my position. I'm in Texas BTW. Good luck and I look forward to hearing about your progress as we get closer.
 
Hey, thanks for the heads up. I called Dick Hannah and they do have both the full rack and rack w/sunroof cutout in stock. They charge basically MSRP on these + tax. They can also do the install for $1995 (rack & install) + tax.

I think I'm going to pass on having to drive down to Longview (2.5 hour drive away) to get this. Transporting this back to my home in the Seattle area would be a pain.

I was planning on installing this on my own with the help from a friend. I also think Gobi gives a free "small" item for Veterans/Military.

I'll give them a call to see if they charge sales tax. If they don't charge tax, then I'll definitely buy through Gobi. Tax is 10.5% where I live.


I just picked one of these up from Dick Hannah. As mentioned, they sell them for $1995 installed. They’ll give a 10% military discount also.

They have 7 or 8 of them in stock right now. Some with the sunroof cutout and they come with the ladder.
 

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Correct, the dealership is selling it to me for MSRP (no mark-up). On 1/2/19 when I orginally placed my deposit on the 2019 TRD Pro, I just told them that I didn't want any options and they had one being built from Japan. I would've received it at the end of this month or early next. About a week after I placed a deposit, I had a build sheet with a VIN #. If I wanted options, they would've added them at MSRP.

For the 2020, I don't think they can officially place an order for allocation until June. So, I'll have to wait for more official news till then. He's anticipating Oct/Nov. I'll follow up again once we get closer to June or when we hear more news about options on the 2020's.

I’m guessing you’re going through Burien for your order? I got my ‘18 from them and put my ‘20 deposit down a couple days after the announcement.

(Seeing if I have competition on the list :naughty:)
 
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I’m guessing you’re going through Burien for your order? I got my ‘18 from them and put my ‘20 deposit down a couple days after the announcement.

(Seeing if I have competition on the list :naughty:)

I went up north to Foothills. Lower sales tax there, too. :)
 
I was at my dealer near Syracuse this weekend and the salesman knew nothing about the 2020 and said they wouldn’t take orders till October. Guess some dealers actually want to sell vehicles more than others.


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Does sales tax not apply from the county you register the truck in?

In Washington, sales tax for vehicles is based on county of purchase. Other than state reg fees for your annual tabs (license plate renewal), only the Seattle and Tacoma areas have additional taxes to pay due to the public transit system in that area.
 

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