1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Roof Rack Selection and DIY/Non-factory Accessories

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by TWashburn1212, Apr 9, 2021.

  1. Apr 9, 2021 at 12:49 PM
    #1
    TWashburn1212

    TWashburn1212 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2020
    Member:
    #14631
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 White 4Runner TRD Pro
    Hello All,

    I know this has probably been beaten more than a dead horse, but for months I've been reading and researching roof racks for my 2017 TRD Pro. I have narrowed my choices down to Gobi or Prinsu, but am not committed to ether one. Ideally there would be no wait time, but provided I find a rack that meets all of my criteria and is reasonably priced, I can wait.

    Secondly, there are a number of accessories or options I would like to add to my rack. Some must haves, others just wants.

    I'm hoping everyone can weigh-in and help give me the push to pull the trigger, while also providing some insight on ways to do things better, easier, cheaper, myself.

    Must Haves:
    No drill installation
    Ability to support a roof top tent
    Ability to add a rear hatch ladder
    Ability to for sunroof not to be covered (either by design or by removing/not installing cross members)

    Wants:
    Ability to attach lockable storage (somewhere to store light tools, jump cables, etc, Gobi makes storage that fits directly into their rack)
    Ability or options to add lights (40" light bar in front, and/or side lights - both Gobi and Prinsu offer "factory" mounts and lights compatible with their racks)

    Style-wise I'm fan of the Gobi. Something about the tubular design works for me. I also like the concept of "basket-style" that the Gobi has going for it. It makes me feel like cargo would be more secure/protected from wind.

    All of that being said, feel free to weigh-in. I've read many of the threads on this subject already and still remain in a deadlock.

    I'll also need someone to explain to me how/what I need to hook up all these lights once I make a decision.....
     
  2. Apr 11, 2021 at 7:10 AM
    #2
    TWashburn1212

    TWashburn1212 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2020
    Member:
    #14631
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 White 4Runner TRD Pro
    self bump
     
  3. Apr 11, 2021 at 7:39 AM
    #3
    matoolie

    matoolie Taking it a day at a time

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2021
    Member:
    #19314
    Messages:
    206
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Pro
    I went with a Victory 4x4 rack. Crossbeams are standard industrial 80/20 and not proprietary. You can go to 80/20.net to see what this stuff is if you are not familiar with it. As a result, all kinds of mounting plates, brackets, bolts, etc. are all readily available for easy DIY upgrades and accessories.
     
  4. Apr 11, 2021 at 8:25 AM
    #4
    TWashburn1212

    TWashburn1212 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2020
    Member:
    #14631
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 White 4Runner TRD Pro
    It looks like they have some really cool options, affordable too.

    I'm trying to find some pictures of a 4Runner with the light bar cut-out but I'm mostly just seeing it on Tacomas.
     
  5. Apr 11, 2021 at 8:36 AM
    #5
    matoolie

    matoolie Taking it a day at a time

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2021
    Member:
    #19314
    Messages:
    206
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Pro
    I have the cutout, but unfortunately the rack is not installed at moment as transferring it from 14 to my 21. I should be installing it this week.

    I think there is a thread on the other forum for this rack and you may find pic there.
     
  6. Apr 18, 2021 at 4:26 PM
    #6
    matoolie

    matoolie Taking it a day at a time

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2021
    Member:
    #19314
    Messages:
    206
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Pro
    Finally reinstalled. Light bar is 30”
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    TWashburn1212[OP] and jdSnake like this.
  7. Apr 18, 2021 at 10:52 PM
    #7
    mynameistory

    mynameistory New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2017
    Member:
    #5208
    Messages:
    1,139
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tory
    Vehicle:
    The same 4Runner everyone has
    I'd challenge your list of needs and wants. All of them (minus the light bar) can be met with your factory rack, a cargo box, and a nice ground tent.

    Must Haves:
    1. No drill installation ✓
    2. Ability to support a roof top tent ✓ (ground tent is cheaper, lighter, simpler, better on MPG, you can take it out of the truck easily unlike RTTs that weigh hundreds of pounds, and leave camp without breaking it down)
    3. Ability to add a rear hatch ladder ✓ (you don't need one)
    4. Ability to for sunroof not to be covered (either by design or by removing/not installing cross members) ✓

    Wants:
    1. Ability to attach lockable storage (somewhere to store light tools, jump cables, etc, Gobi makes storage that fits directly into their rack) ✓ cargo boxes are lockable, weatherproof, aerodynamic, and easily removable when you don't need it.
    2. Ability or options to add lights (40" light bar in front, and/or side lights - both Gobi and Prinsu offer "factory" mounts and lights compatible with their racks) ✖ I'd reconsider the light bar on the roof. Looks cool but unless you get one with good optics, you'll glare all over your hood and end up blinding yourself. Consider adding a bar or pair of auxiliary driving lamps to the front grill.
    I guess the only thing you miss out on is cool overlanding points.

    - Sincerely, a guy with a "cool" roof rack that ended up bolting a cargo box to it because it takes care of 99% of things.
     
    Saitama and TWashburn1212[OP] like this.
  8. Apr 19, 2021 at 12:24 AM
    #8
    GrantA

    GrantA Enjoying God’s creation

    Joined:
    May 25, 2020
    Member:
    #14533
    Messages:
    1,320
    Gender:
    Male
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    Fully locked 2020 SR5 Premium
    - GOBI roof rack and ladder - Westcott Design Rock sliders - M.O.R.E. Underbody Skid plates - Dual ARB air compressor & ARB single compressor - LED interior lighting - Ironman 2.0 meter awning and enclosure - Ironman winch with factor55 hook - Ironman foam cell pro suspension - Ironman recovery snatch rope - Ironman recovery traction boards - lilbscustomfab Hybrid Front Bumper - lilbscustomfab BMC - RRW RR7-H Hybrid Beadlock wheels - Nitto Trail Grapplers 285/75/17 M/T - 4.88 gears - ARB front air locker - ARB rear air locker - Hi-lift jack & mount - Sony aftermarket speakers - LASFIT External LED Light Conversion - Center console organizer - Glovebox organizer - ICS phone Mount holder - C4 rear bumper with dual swing arms - C4 gas skid plate - C4 rear diff skid plates
    I have the Gobi roof rack... I was going to change over to the Westcott Design roof rack but couldn’t find a buyer to make it an even trade. So I am keeping the Gobi but thought I would throw the Wescott Design one out there.
     
  9. Apr 19, 2021 at 4:35 AM
    #9
    TWashburn1212

    TWashburn1212 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2020
    Member:
    #14631
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 White 4Runner TRD Pro
    The Victory Rack does like nice.

    This is actually what I've been thinking for a few days. I have been looking at the C4 Low-pro bumper which has a cut-out for a light bar. For my typical use, I probably don't need to go crazy with my light set-up. Most of the time it will just be my daily driver. The Gobi cargo boxes are really appealing to me, but I figure there have to be other options.
     
  10. Aug 9, 2021 at 9:25 PM
    #10
    Piemelon

    Piemelon New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2021
    Member:
    #22464
    Messages:
    15
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD Off Road
    None
    Just got a new 20214R. I have 40 plus years of Yakima stuff that what to do was a no brainer. Got Yakima Towers for 4R side rails. Have skis, surfboards, bicycles, fly rods, kayaks, rectangular box thing and whatever that long closed carrier thing is called.
     
    clarkw likes this.
  11. Aug 9, 2021 at 11:02 PM
    #11
    BeavertonCommuter

    BeavertonCommuter New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2021
    Member:
    #20821
    Messages:
    292
    Gender:
    Male
    I bought my 4Runner this year and was eager to get a full length roof rack. After much consideration of use cases, I decided on Thule cross cars and towers. Number 1 reason...Im going to be using a cargo box in 90% of my trips and every roof rack I was looking had had the same disadvantage - on the Yakima box the claw thingy that cinches to the bars would always hit the roof or the u-bolt thingies to attach a box to the racks ended up way too close for my liking to the roof top. I didnt want to risk wrecking the roof or the paint. Plus, I wasnt interested in a RTT, so....
     

Products Discussed in

To Top