We still used all the slats.. 11 - there are 5 on the platform area ... 5 in the mid and then after the sun roof just 1 (very front). You can see all in the pic that are there.
Front Runner vs Prinsu Roof Racks
- Thread starter Eric Sarjeant
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Right, but how many were moved from above the sunroof to somewhere else? I'm guessing it was 2 of them?
No idea - however many it takes to get 5 in the back then every 6”ish inches until start of sunroof for a total of 10 —- then the one in the very front Start from the back built platform of 5 then spread 5 out equally up to sunroof - never placed them evenly throughout to see how many would have been over the sunroof
It had three mounting points but it did sag regardless. The cross bars sagged under load as well which I thought was ridiculous considering the lighter load weight. Hardware was tarnishing/oxidizing in a matter of months and the powder coat was failing within the first six months. Like I said, great looks and cool design but fit and finish left a lot to be desired.
That's right, I forgot the 5th gen's had the drill in rivnuts for the very front--I had all the same issues that you mentioned with one on a 4th gen
I too am now thinking of the Frontrunner for my 200 series and was thinking of offsetting the slats to allow the sunroof to still be open. It’s great to know that this is an option on install.
I'm also looking at Front Runner, Prinsu and ARB (did anyone ever get a chance to review it?) Seems like there's high praise for the Front Runner, but I'm a bit concerned it looks extremely NOT aerodynamic, not adjustable unless partial disassembled/reassembled and less custom mounting points (ie. propriety tracks on top with only one slot vs standard 8020 on Prinsu with 2 slots, no mounting points on side without drilling holes vs tons of options on Prinsu).
So for me, although the Front Runner looks like a great option in terms of accessories, it's a less likely candidate (especially at the insane prices!).....but I am very curious about the ARB. Anybody had a chance to check it out?
So for me, although the Front Runner looks like a great option in terms of accessories, it's a less likely candidate (especially at the insane prices!).....but I am very curious about the ARB. Anybody had a chance to check it out?
The full sized front wind fairing for the Front Runner makes it much more aero than the default configuration (and makes it much more usable with the sunroof open). It's an additional cost of around $175 though.
You're correct that the rack needs to be partially disassembled if you want to change around slat positions. That design is the reason it's as sturdy as it is and why it will always be stronger than the Prinsu could ever be. It's not as difficult as it sounds--I just messed with this last week actually because I originally had left two slats out above the sunroof and wanted to move one back because two wasn't necessary. Because the mounting rails attach to the slats and not the edge pieces you can remove one of the side edge pieces of the rack tray and move slats around and then easily re-install the side section.
The Front Runner doesn't use proprietary tracks, it uses the same style slots that a Prinsu does, only for larger hardware. The Prinsu 80/20 tracks use 1/4" (M6) bolts whereas the Front Runner has tracks for beefier M8 bolts. As far as mounting on the side, you're correct that you would need brackets to bolt it directly into the side.
ARB has an issue with clearing the sharkfin right now and supposedly they're in the process of fixing it.
I'm obviously biased because I was dissatisfied with the Prinsu for my specific application and have been thrilled once I switched to the Front Runner. Install was not as smooth as it was on my 4Runner, but now that it's set up I'm as happy as before. It all depends on what your specific needs and priorities are. Not knocking Prinsu because it's still a fine product for a lot of people, it just wasn't for what I wanted.
I've owned FrontRunner, RhinoRack, and Prinsu. Unless you are absolutely set on Prinsu's looks, I would never recommend it. It is 100x weaker, less accessible and less useful than either FrontRunner or RhinoRack. Of all, RhinoRack would be my first choice for most "platform rack" applications, followed by FrontRunner.
I still never got my replacement parts from front runner ... There incompetent packaging caused damage to the parts kit and they never sent a replacement fastener kit for my rack .
My Front runner was purchased thru metal tech one of our supporting vender they never got any where with them ... I think they suck , I opted to purchase my own hardware from McMaster Carr because other guys on here reported front runners nuts and bolts rust , I opted to just go stainless .
I will not buy another front runner again but will continue to spread the word .
My Front runner was purchased thru metal tech one of our supporting vender they never got any where with them ... I think they suck , I opted to purchase my own hardware from McMaster Carr because other guys on here reported front runners nuts and bolts rust , I opted to just go stainless .
I will not buy another front runner again but will continue to spread the word .
That definitely sucks.
On my end I've placed at least 10-12 orders from FrontRunner directly. A single product arrived damaged, and they sent out a replacement immediately. Overall a great experience on my end. Granted, the last order was a couple years ago, so it's entirely possible things have changed for the worse since then.
At least all my structural metal was intact , it was the mounting rail box with fasteners employees who packed it use 2 pieces of tape pieces came out and bolt package was damaged , rails were knicked up , had touched them up not bad enough that I had to repowder coat .
Just sucks could have been since it was 3rd party service ...
I can not give them a positive feed back .
Just sucks could have been since it was 3rd party service ...
I can not give them a positive feed back .
Did the fact that the Rhino Rack crossmembers run front to rear, rather than side by side complicate anything when it came to installing/mounting rooftop tents or other accessories?
I didn't run a RTT at the time. Most folks would install RhinoRack's accessory bars (cross bars) which run across the slats, and then install the RTT to that. Honestly I've never seen the point of getting a platform rack of you will be running a RTT that will cover 90% of it. Cross bars are much more practical and cheaper in that case.
I hear that, challenge being that the factory rails are only rated for 154lbs, and my RTT weighs 130. I have 59" Rhino Rack crossbars that I use to haul two canoes in the summer, and my ski box in the winter. Even with something as light at the ski box, I get a little up and down play in the system. Something as heavy as the RTT will likely fare much worse.
The hope here is that the platform rack with additional contact points on the roof, and the ability to distribute the weight across those points will result in a much more robust solution.
Are you saying there is a way to affix the the crossbars to the platform rack itself? That would be an ideal 3 season solution for me.
This is what I was talking about: #43138B - Pioneer Accessory Bar (C-Channel) (1360mm / 4.4ft) | - https://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/roof/platforms-and-baskets/pioneer-platform-and-basket-accessories/pioneer-accessory-bar-c-channel-1360mm-4-4ft-_43138b
I would have no qualms about putting a 130lb RTT on the factory bars. Have a look at their profile and you will see they are quite well made. The factory side rails are also very well made.
Last summer I replaced my factory rack with three RhinoRack cross bars, on RhinoRack mounts made specifically for the LC200 series: Builds - eatSleepWoof's '14 LX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/eatsleepwoofs-14-lx.1112565/page-14#post-13281158
And I then mounted an AluCab RTT + their Shadow Awning to these three cross bars: Builds - eatSleepWoof's '14 LX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/eatsleepwoofs-14-lx.1112565/page-14#post-13282144
Combined weight of the RTT, awning, hardware and cross bars was easily in the 250lb range. I bounced around on a LOT of rough, technical trails with this setup, as well as hit 80-90 MPH on the highway, with zero problems. Setup was rock solid and I wouldn't hesitate to do this again. Way cheaper than a platform rack, plenty of weight distribution, much easier access underneath the tent, and best of all, I was able to remove the entire setup (including the cross bars) in about 5-10 minutes solo. Scroll through that build thread and you'll see more details.
Prinsu is a bit behind. Ordered mine in March and it just arrived a couple weeks ago but without the roof spacers so I am waiting on that still.
So Eric mentioned in the video that the Front Runner rack sits about 6" tall of the roof. However, I didn't see in that video exactly where he estimated from. Does anyone here have a FR Slimline 2 rack where they can measure from the footings how tall the rack sits from the roof? I've got a potential need for a rack in the next couple days and I see that Slee has them in stock. However, I need to know if the truck would still fit in my garage. Thanks!
