We have 2x of the Rago Fabrication Low-Profile Awning mounts on our GX470 and LOVE them!
They mount in super easily. I have a 270 Awning on passenger side and ARB 2500 on the driver side. They ride right above the door line.
Analysis paralysis: roof racks.... tips, tricks, opinions, experiences. Discuss.
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We have 2x of the Rago Fabrication Low-Profile Awning mounts on our GX470 and LOVE them!
They mount in super easily. I have a 270 Awning on passenger side and ARB 2500 on the driver side. They ride right above the door line.
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- #42
@MNGX I saw your questions a while ago and had them simmering backburner for a while. I had some time to sit down and do some RR product research so here's what I've figured out.
Bast I can figure from your particulars above, the SX is a crossbar system that clamps to factory side rails (okay but doesn't maximize load potential like fully aftermarket, i.e. backbone+ platform/rack or gamiviti towers and a rack) to allow the lighter crossbars (e.g. aero or vortex). CBX is similar but flat-topped to take the RR "heavy duty" crossbar (looks kind of like an aluminum superstrut-type channel)
RLCP: Kind of like gamiviti in that they're paired feet to mount to existing factory locations, or RR channel system, and to mount crossbars (platforms have integrated crossbars, so this works too), or to pair a backbone to a crossbar...
RLTP: sounds like similar to RLCP except removable. They can fit to RR tracks or factory locations, but can be removed from roof altogether, sort of an RLCP quick-disconnect.
From what I can figure, the platforms are components, you can order assembled or disassembled and put it together yourself. There are channeled crossbars, then the length-wise "platforms" rest on top and fix to the crossbars./ This system is all tied together with side pieces and end pieces (this is what makes these factory systems dialed and clean vs. DIYing with 80/20 or like)
Here's a RR-Australia demo video (fitting to a prado 150/GX460). it shows assembled tray and crossbar fitment within, plus fitment to RLCP leg kit.
They offer a track kit (friend is looking at one for a Taco), featured in this RR video which some of the leg kits mount in to.
They offer RCH and RCL legs (High vs Low)
Check this out from some moar searching and digging!
Rhino Rack Prado 120 brochure!!!!!
--> Rhino-Rack Toyota Prado Brochure 2015 <--
I'm not RR affiliated, just nerd on details because of interest.
I hope this helps or clarifies some things. I too get muddled with options, especially if/when I don't have the time to dig in. Their customer service people are super knowledgeable and helpful too. There are answers to our questions, it just takes time to dig them up or sit down to draft an inquery to get them.
I'm following up on Prado 120/GX470 backbone availability and access on RR USA site currently
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Is there room to reuse the factory cross bars with the awning mounts?
Surprisingly, yes there is. I have both my factory bars up top still with the awning mounts in place... It just takes a little brain power in knowing where you want them placed, as there is limited placement available with the bracing from the Rago Mounts.
Sometimes I strap my TREDs up to the factory bars, and I was looking at placing a basket up there, but I'm switching soon to a full Rhino Rack Backbone system with Pioneer Platform on the GX.
How are you getting the backbone? It still isn’t on their site.
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- #46
I'm.still.pinging them about it... I've heard directly from 2-3 folks there that it's in stock and the web folks are supposedly fixing the site, and at least one or two others in this thread have similar intell.
This is awesome and as I suspected there is MUCH interest in the back bone for GX470. Let's trust this amounts to real action and purchases/installs vs the sadly more common forum talk and interest with so much less.action.
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- #48
Me.too.
Curious, and getting one... In time.
I'm also looking (daily) to see it populate on the USA website...
Rhino Australia shows it. . . .
I do a lot of rhino rack installs through work and we've placed an order for "mine".
Once it goes through, I'll definitely be putting up a ton of photos and ordering more of them so we can do more GX installs
*until I have the backbone in hand though and on the GX, I know I'm just all talk, haha.
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- #51
I was told the 84" specs for the Prado, but I'm looking at the 76". Aussie beta suggests that has higher load capacity (in tray but moreso in elevations... The "tradie" tray).
Check out the following Rhino-Rack beta (Aussie)
Prado120 backbone fitting instructions (http://vpm.cdn.rhinorack.com.au/Instructions/Parts/FittingApplications/RTPB2.pdf)
Rhino-Rack Toyota Prado Brochure (Rhino-Rack Toyota Prado Brochure 2015)
Drumming more interest!
Drumming moar support!
Drumming more interest!
Drumming moar support!
Check out the following Rhino-Rack beta (Aussie)
Prado120 backbone fitting instructions (http://vpm.cdn.rhinorack.com.au/Instructions/Parts/FittingApplications/RTPB2.pdf)
Rhino-Rack Toyota Prado Brochure (Rhino-Rack Toyota Prado Brochure 2015)
Drumming more interest!
Drumming moar support!
Drumming more interest!
Drumming moar support!
Ordere the 84" instead of the 76". Wanted to maximize the roof space up there since I have 2 awnings and my Trax, Jack, spare tire, Jerry cans, etc all have to go up there also.
Tired of using my hitch basket, lol. And we've got 3 big dogs that like to use up the real estate inside and share with the s***ty 20 year old cooler I have.
I'm definitely looking forward to getting stuff out of the cab. Went to Medano Pass last weekend and I felt bad for the pups since we had an extra person, and lots of camping gear inside. Even with the 60 middle row seat removed, was still a packed ride.
At work, I've installed several of both sizes on the 4runners, and every one is super happy with the 84" while many of the 76" people wish they had gone longer.
Sunroof still works fine for airflow.
Sunroof still works fine for airflow.
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- #54
I too was trending toward the 84", maximize opportunity.
But the load specs in the fitment i fo steered me toward 76" plus I'm still waffling in where they'll each line out with regard to the sunroof. I'm thinking of getting the wind deflector too. . . .
8" doesn't seem like.much. . . .
Can you share your company info? Or can you share pix of 4th gen 4r with 76 vs 84?
I'm really curious if they both lay out similarly to the rear and the difference is forward or if they're 4" front and back, so mounted basically the same with respect to the center of the platform...... If that makes sense...
But the load specs in the fitment i fo steered me toward 76" plus I'm still waffling in where they'll each line out with regard to the sunroof. I'm thinking of getting the wind deflector too. . . .
8" doesn't seem like.much. . . .
Can you share your company info? Or can you share pix of 4th gen 4r with 76 vs 84?
I'm really curious if they both lay out similarly to the rear and the difference is forward or if they're 4" front and back, so mounted basically the same with respect to the center of the platform...... If that makes sense...
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- #55
I'm also.concerned the 84" will be a bit "high" off the roof over the cab, as the roof's arc might suggest that, given flat and level from the factory mounting points of the stock side rails. . . .
I'm over at Rack Attack - Golden. We do roof racks, hitches, bike racks, roof top tents, pretty much everything outdoor related on the vehicle (outside of lifts and actual vehicle accessories).
I don't have any photos currently on my phone that would show any differences, lol.
The difference between the two sizes is the front measurements. The rear is the same. Both have a cut out for the rear sharkfin antenna to fit, and it only differs in the coverage over the sunroof.
I haven't noticed too much of a height difference in roof clearance since the 76 ends in the middle of the sunroof and the 84 ends basically at the front edge o the glass.
The load specs look like there is only a 7lb difference when static at 721 lbs and 715 lbs, so nothing I would bat an eye over, lol.
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- #57
I tried comparing these 2 builds, but perspective is tricky.
The silver one is 76x49, the darker one is an 84x56 (so wider)
www.cascaderack.com
www.rhinoadventuregear.com
The silver one is 76x49, the darker one is an 84x56 (so wider)
Search results for: 'blog 2004 lexus gx470 pioneer platform rhino rack'
www.cascaderack.com
Lexus GX470 - Geared Up For Adventure
This GX470 build went far beyond the custom fitted James Baroud Rooftop Tent & Awning- From a dual battery system w/ a multi-stage charging algorithm, simultaneous DC & solar charging, self-jump capability, and a 1000W pure-sine inverter, the GX470 is now geared up for a multi-day escape in the...
www.rhinoadventuregear.com
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- #58
Sharkfin?
Is this a GX460 then? The 470 has a window antenna....
Ooh, 5th gen 4R has a sharkfin. That makes sense....
Hmm, so the 84" covers sunroof entirely, so then the pioneer wind fairing would probanly rest at the front edge of the glass
Whereas the 76 would rest mid glass. . . .
Hmm. I might have to re-update my order. Lol
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Sharkfin?
Is this a GX460 then? My 470 has a window antenna....
Ooh, 5th gen 4R has a sharkfin. That makes sense....
Hmm, so the 84" covers sunroof entirely, so then the pioneer wind fairing would probanly rest at the front edge of the glass
Whereas the 76 would rest mid&glass. . . .
Hmm. I might have to re-update my order. Lol
I don't get up top of my roof enough to remember if I had the sharkfin or not, lol. I deal with 4runners so often I was just assuming I had one up there, haha.
I can't remember if I ordered the wind fairing or not, I'll have to double check. I normally have the radio turned up, and with 2 awnings it's hard to hear anything other than wind, lol.
Since the rack part numbers are the same, both should be the same exact beams (have the same cutout for the sharkfin and same mounting holes. The only difference is the backbone themselves on the GX with 3 mounting spots to roof vs the 4 runner's 2 mounting points on roof... I'm actually assuming they are going to be the same length and all else look the same except for a middle leg sticking down for mounting.
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- #60
5th gen roofs are way flatter than 470s. But yeah, I guess with the number of platform slats, they'd leave a gap center that a sharkfin would.fit into. The 84 vs 76 have a different number of main beams too, but they'd spec specifically for where they go for the 470.
I think the GX460 backbone install requires drilling a hole in the platform's frame for the exact location for one of the crossbeams.... No biggie, just a thing a DIY might frazzle about in the driveway.
76x49
84x49
(I guess the 76" ends at the front-most crossbeam, and the 84" has a beam there rather than the front rail, and therefore extends forward that 8". . . .)
I've had tabs open on my fone for months!!! Lol
460 backbone (very similar to 5th gen 4R), and
470 backbone
I think the GX460 backbone install requires drilling a hole in the platform's frame for the exact location for one of the crossbeams.... No biggie, just a thing a DIY might frazzle about in the driveway.
76x49
84x49
(I guess the 76" ends at the front-most crossbeam, and the 84" has a beam there rather than the front rail, and therefore extends forward that 8". . . .
)I've had tabs open on my fone for months!!! Lol
460 backbone (very similar to 5th gen 4R), and
470 backbone
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