2016+ LX Roof Rack Options

[AnyMal]

After reading through a few threads, it seems that a lot of the compatibility with the LC and pre '16 LX is lost due to the new rail design.

Does anyone know what the best options are currently for the 16+ LX factory rails?
I would prefer not to pull the headliner out and replace the rails as I think they look great and have good length for load distribution and are low profile.
The OEM cross bars are already $400 for a set of two I believe, doesn't make sense to go that route IMO.

If anyone has a setup they want to share photos / feedback on that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tbisaacs]

I think you’ve covered both options. All of the 2016+ LXs I’ve seen with a rack had the headliner dropped. The holes are there and rack otherwise bolts right up.

 

[Julian73]

Why wouldn't the roof to rail connection be the same as on the LC's ? With careful handling of the retaining bolts they don't need the headliner removed. After all teh LC and LX use the same steel body and no way does the assembly line not install accessory rails prior to the interiors being finished, just would not be practical production wise.

 

[Forerunner]

Why wouldn't the roof to rail connection be the same as on the LC's ? With careful handling of the retaining bolts they don't need the headliner removed. After all teh LC and LX use the same steel body and no way does the assembly line not install accessory rails prior to the interiors being finished, just would not be practical production wise.

I agree that’s what you would think- but think is the current state of my 2018 Lx having a Prinsu rack installed.

My shop even called Prinsu and talked to the tech that did the J201 Concept. They did not mention anything about having to drop the headliner.

 

[AnyMal]

Wow, thanks for the reply.

Can you elaborate on what you went through for the prinsu? As far as i know to remove the top mounts for the OEM rails, it has to be reached from beneath.

The thing about the headliner and trim in general is that its a bit like Ikea furniture, it tends to be less solid if its ever reassembled.
Im VERY particular about creaks and rattles. I already have a passenger side door panel that obnoxiously rattles with any amount of bass i need to tear down and fix and i cant stand it.

To be honest, i didn't think my newish LX would make as much noise as it does. I have several quality control issues with mine as it is.

1. Sunroof doesn't fully seal when ported/ cracked open and closed, only when fully slides open and closed does it eliminate the last bit of air seep and noise.
2. Door rattle.
3. Dash creaking.
4. AHC lean.
5. First aid kit housing never stays closed.
6. Driver mirror housing motor seems weaker and slower than passenger side. (this broke first on my 2006 LX470)
7. Steering wheel column cover doesn't stay flat and clip fully in on right half side.
8. The open pore walnut steering wheel is discolored from use. (Ive been in 100 year old Lexus and Mercedes and the sealed lacquered wood never ages)
9. Nav crashes every once in a while for no apparent reason.

Probably some others im forgetting about...

I agree that’s what you would think- but think is the current state of my 2018 Lx having a Prinsu rack installed.

My shop even called Prinsu and talked to the tech that did the J201 Concept. They did not mention anything about having to drop the headliner.


View attachment 2722225

 

[Forerunner]

Wow, thanks for the reply.

Can you elaborate on what you went through for the prinsu? As far as i know to remove the top mounts for the OEM rails, it has to be reached from beneath.

The thing about the headliner and trim in general is that its a bit like Ikea furniture, it tends to be less solid if its ever reassembled.
Im VERY particular about creaks and rattles. I already have a passenger side door panel that obnoxiously rattles with any amount of bass i need to tear down and fix and i cant stand it.

To be honest, i didn't think my newish LX would make as much noise as it does. I have several quality control issues with mine as it is.

1. Sunroof doesn't fully seal when ported/ cracked open and closed, only when fully slides open and closed does it eliminate the last bit of air seep and noise.
2. Door rattle.
3. Dash creaking.
4. AHC lean.
5. First aid kit housing never stays closed.
6. Driver mirror housing motor seems weaker and slower than passenger side. (this broke first on my 2006 LX470)
7. Steering wheel column cover doesn't stay flat and clip fully in on right half side.
8. The open pore walnut steering wheel is discolored from use. (Ive been in 100 year old Lexus and Mercedes and the sealed lacquered wood never ages)
9. Nav crashes every once in a while for no apparent reason.

Probably some others im forgetting about...

The install isn’t final yet. Should be completed this week.

The main issue was that Prinsu provided direct instruction to my shop that this was a simple “bolt on” mod and would not require the headliner to be dropped. Which has turned out to be patently false.

My shop also ordered 200LC rubber trim to fill in the channel left behind by removing to OEM Lx roof rail. That was not included as an option in Prinsu’s parts or instructions. When asked about it, they just said they left that channel open and uncovered- which in the opinion on myself and my shop was a great place to collect water.

We’re too far down the road now to change - but the whole thing to date seems like an R&D failure on the part of Prinsu / CBI.

I have confidence that my local shop will see that it’s installed correctly. But at the end of the day, they misquoted the required labor hours to install based on direct input by Prinsu.

At the end of the day, this is far more than I would have wanted to take on as a backyard wrench project and I’m glad my local shop has such highly competent people to see this through.

 

[Forerunner]

Update from today. Rack test fit. Rear spacers need to be adjusted slightly.

The shop modified the rack to accept four flush mount Baja S1’s.

 

[LCtoLX]

After reading through a few threads, it seems that a lot of the compatibility with the LC and pre '16 LX is lost due to the new rail design.

Does anyone know what the best options are currently for the 16+ LX factory rails?
I would prefer not to pull the headliner out and replace the rails as I think they look great and have good length for load distribution and are low profile.
The OEM cross bars are already $400 for a set of two I believe, doesn't make sense to go that route IMO.

If anyone has a setup they want to share photos / feedback on that would be greatly appreciated.

Are you looking to keep the existing rails or go aftermarket? Sounds like you like the low profile. What will you be expecting the setup to carry ?

 

[AnyMal]

Update from today. Rack test fit. Rear spacers need to be adjusted slightly.

The shop modified the rack to accept four flush mount Baja S1’s.

View attachment 2723962View attachment 2723963

Looks good!

Are you looking to keep the existing rails or go aftermarket? Sounds like you like the low profile. What will you be expecting the setup to carry ?

Hey LCtoLX, thats right. I think the rails look pretty good and ideally something that interfaces with them within that same height tolerance would be nice.
Im looking really to be able to pack cargo mostly (project wood, christmas tree, lol stuff like that) and later some gear, a hi-lift jack if ever possible and trax. I did think i wanted a RTT but ive seen enough critique here on MUD to think twice about it. I also need the sunroof. Not willing to block that. Im still under warranty so no serious offroading or mods yet.

 

[LCtoLX]

Here‘s what I have on mine now, but I’ve also got 2 other solutions with the ”best”, for now, being a Thule setup that I haven’t even test fit yet. We have a large Thule car top carrier that we used to use on our series 80 and aside from that, I may want to occasionally carry Home Depot kinda stuff (lumber, long things, etc.). Other that switching to 18” LC takeoffs, our LX is stock.

First ‘solution’ was getting some LC racks. Installation would have required dropping the headliner. Then I saw the crossbars (above) and thought, why not? Got them and was set until I happened to watch a YouTube video about a fellow that picked up a RTT and put it on his rack for transportation to another location. What scared me was that as he drove and picked up speed, the wind traveling under the RTT started to LIFT it! He had to attach a strap to the front of the RTT and hold it down (through the sunroof opening) with one hand while steering with the other. There were better hold down solutions but the message was clear, there can be lift at speed.

If you look closely at the far end of the crossbar, you’ll see two allen head set screws that extend into matching depressions in the factory side rail. This is fine but my paranoid self saw the possibility of disaster if enough lift is created under my car carrier at speed. Sure, maybe not likely but the search was on for a “clamp on“ solution that‘s more secure. Hence the Thule setup. A bit pricey but very secure. Will probably remove when not needed.

 

[AnyMal]

Here‘s what I have on mine now, but I’ve also got 2 other solutions with the ”best”, for now, being a Thule setup that I haven’t even test fit yet. We have a large Thule car top carrier that we used to use on our series 80 and aside from that, I may want to occasionally carry Home Depot kinda stuff (lumber, long things, etc.). Other that switching to 18” LC takeoffs, our LX is stock.

View attachment 2724805

First ‘solution’ was getting some LC racks. Installation would have required dropping the headliner. Then I saw the crossbars (above) and thought, why not? Got them and was set until I happened to watch a YouTube video about a fellow that picked up a RTT and put it on his rack for transportation to another location. What scared me was that as he drove and picked up speed, the wind traveling under the RTT started to LIFT it! He had to attach a strap to the front of the RTT and hold it down (through the sunroof opening) with one hand while steering with the other. There were better hold down solutions but the message was clear, there can be lift at speed.

If you look closely at the far end of the crossbar, you’ll see two allen head set screws that extend into matching depressions in the factory side rail. This is fine but my paranoid self saw the possibility of disaster if enough lift is created under my car carrier at speed. Sure, maybe not likely but the search was on for a “clamp on“ solution that‘s more secure. Hence the Thule setup. A bit pricey but very secure. Will probably remove when not needed.

Another Blue LX!
Are those crossbars OEM? I thought they came in black. They are nice and low slung.
My only issue with them other than the price is where do i strap to laterally? Since its touching the body, there is no gap to fish through.
Looking forward to seeing your thule setup.

 

[LCtoLX]

I’ll look for the same or similar crossbars. They are aftermarket and I believe that they are made in China. It’s funny, I could have sworn that I got them from eBay but the transaction doesn’t show up in my history.

How do you strap laterally? I guess that you can only strap to the crossbars. All the more reason to have a robust system like the Thule system or an aftermarket rack, period. But then there are the associated things like installation and cost.

I’ll try and find a picture of the Thule system that I went with. Might be some time before I can get it “test” installed on my LX. Everything is in storage and too many to do things on my plate right now. The Thule system was close to $500 IIRC.

 

[LCtoLX]

 

[AnyMal]

Honesly, I should just design something.
Something mall crushery not too rugged.