LX570 Rhino Rack Backbone and Platform

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kms254

SILVER Star
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Threads
5
Messages
192
Location
Lafayette, CO
One of the first things I wanted to do with my LX was upgrade the roof rack to a platform system. I previously had a Tacoma and moving to the LX I knew I would give up some cargo carrying capacity.

I have a RTT that I use for Mountain bike races and future family outings. I also wanted to be able to haul a large piece of plywood or other lumber. Along with anything else too big or dirty for the inside of the LX.

After a lot of research and pricing options I decided I liked the look and functionality of the Rhino Rack Platform with the Backbone system. I priced it out online and contacted Road Warrior Racks. They are right down the road from where I live and when I inquired about pricing they gave me what I felt like a fair deal. The two guys who worked there were helpful and I got the unassembled version in three days.

I read a lot on here about taking off the roof rack on the LC/LX. With fair warning about removing the bolts in tandem I felt ready to do this. The LX only uses two mounts for its roof rack and the other two mounts have cover plates. Honestly it took longer to clean the entire length of the channel then it did to remove the rack. When installing the Backbone system I left the bolts very loose to give the Backbone room to wiggle to help align the bolts with the nuts in the roof. One thing I also did was run the bolts down into the roof before placing the rails. That way I would know what level of force that would be needed to overcome the old thread sealer. I was very worried about cross threading.

IMG_9490.jpg
IMG_9491.jpg


That night I worked to assemble the platform. I purchased the 84" x 56" platform. I took out all the parts and started to follow the assembly instructions. I wish they had torque specs. When assembling I torqued everything to the same level given the particular part, I used my judgement. Also to note, there are many different but very similar washers included. Make sure you look over every part and sort things before you start. Notice the thickness and ID of each washer and what it calls for in the instructions.

IMG_9495.jpg



I store my RTT on the ceiling of my garage using a 4 pulley system. I lowered that down to a cart and moved it out of the way. I then set the rack on two saw horses and used the pulley system to raise the rack above the LX. I was doing this install practically solo. I backed the LX into the garage and lined it up closely to the racks position and lowered it down onto the Backbone. A little bit of measuring left to right and got it lined up and tightened down. Front and rear attachment points were easy to get to. Middle was not the easiest. I would highly recommend using a ratcheting crescent wrench.

IMG_9498.jpg


Once installed on the vehicle you have to install these plates that attach the for-aft bars to the crossbars. It was easiest to just climb up there.
IMG_9500.jpg


I've had minimal driving with it since this weekend but it seems to be fairly quiet, very secure, and low profile. I was hoping to be able to fit my RTT and still fit in the garage but I don't think that is going to happen....

I'll continue to update this post as I add accessories and get more use out of the rack.
 
Last edited:
Nice write-up, and nice rack.
 
Well I used it last night to bring home four 4"x4"x8' and two 2"x4"x10' pieces of lumber. Honestly it was easier than using my old short bed Tacoma. I just climbed up on the rack to strap them down and off we went.

These vehicles kinda have a built in ladder. Running board, step near middle seat, rear tire, door striker and pull yourself up...

IMG_9511.jpg
 
@kms254 can you ballpark what you paid? I've got a rack in the spring plan.
 
@kms254 could you get a measurement of the installed height at the back? I'm going to get the new shorter backbone system that uses three mounting points on each side, just want to make sure it will fit into my garage still. Thank you
 
One of the first things I wanted to do with my LX was upgrade the roof rack to a platform system. I previously had a Tacoma and moving to the LX I knew I would give up some cargo carrying capacity.

I have a RTT that I use for Mountain bike races and future family outings. I also wanted to be able to haul a large piece of plywood or other lumber. Along with anything else too big or dirty for the inside of the LX.

After a lot of research and pricing options I decided I liked the look and functionality of the Rhino Rack Platform with the Backbone system. I priced it out online and contacted Road Warrior Racks. They are right down the road from where I live and when I inquired about pricing they gave me what I felt like a fair deal. The two guys who worked there were helpful and I got the unassembled version in three days.

I read a lot on here about taking off the roof rack on the LC/LX. With fair warning about removing the bolts in tandem I felt ready to do this. The LX only uses two mounts for its roof rack and the other two mounts have cover plates. Honestly it took longer to clean the entire length of the channel then it did to remove the rack. When installing the Backbone system I left the bolts very loose to give the Backbone room to wiggle to help align the bolts with the nuts in the roof. One thing I also did was run the bolts down into the roof before placing the rails. That way I would know what level of force that would be needed to overcome the old thread sealer. I was very worried about cross threading.

View attachment 1820354 View attachment 1820353

That night I worked to assemble the platform. I purchased the 84" x 56" platform. I took out all the parts and started to follow the assembly instructions. I wish they had torque specs. When assembling I torqued everything to the same level given the particular part, I used my judgement. Also to note, there are many different but very similar washers included. Make sure you look over every part and sort things before you start. Notice the thickness and ID of each washer and what it calls for in the instructions.

View attachment 1820352


I store my RTT on the ceiling of my garage using a 4 pulley system. I lowered that down to a cart and moved it out of the way. I then set the rack on two saw horses and used the pulley system to raise the rack above the LX. I was doing this install practically solo. I backed the LX into the garage and lined it up closely to the racks position and lowered it down onto the Backbone. A little bit of measuring left to right and got it lined up and tightened down. Front and rear attachment points were easy to get to. Middle was not the easiest. I would highly recommend using a ratcheting crescent wrench.

View attachment 1820351

Once installed on the vehicle you have to install these plates that attach the for-aft bars to the crossbars. It was easiest to just climb up there.
View attachment 1820379

I've had minimal driving with it since this weekend but it seems to be fairly quiet, very secure, and low profile. I was hoping to be able to fit my RTT and still fit in the garage but I don't think that is going to happen....

I'll continue to update this post as I add accessories and get more use out of the rack.

How is the wind noise with the sunroof open?
 
How is the wind noise with the sunroof open?

Honestly at any speed over 35 with the sunroof open its quite noticeable as I would expect. I never drive with it open so its not a big deal. Maybe with a wind deflector it would be better but I doubt it.

Any noise that is added is well worth it to me. I picked up family over the holidays from the airport, 5 people plus luggage, and then myself wife and child. Without the luggage on the rack there is no way we could have done that with one vehicle.

I've picked up numerous 4x8 sheets of plywood. At one point I think I had something like 22 - 2x10x10 pieces of lumber. Two Christmas trees, one from the national forest and one from a tree lot and again to recycling. A couple of tires and wheels from my Tacoma.

I gave up a bed when I went from the Tacoma to the LX but with the rack I get almost all of that load carrying capacity back... almost..

IMG_9769.jpg
IMG_7313.jpg
 
@kms254 could you get a measurement of the installed height at the back? I'm going to get the new shorter backbone system that uses three mounting points on each side, just want to make sure it will fit into my garage still. Thank you

@bwell Do you want the height from the top of the backbone to the roof deck or the ground?

I honestly don't think it could be any lower with the antenna still there.
 
Also very interested to hear changes relating to wind noise, but with the sunroof open. Noise can be subjective, especially given other noise-adding mods (ie. tires), so I'd love to hear multiple people's opinions!
 
@bwell Do you want the height from the top of the backbone to the roof deck or the ground?

I honestly don't think it could be any lower with the antenna still there.

I'd imagine top of the rack to any fixed, OEM point on the LX will be the most useful measurement.

Measuring to the ground will not be too helpful due to different tires, suspension, etc. that people may have.
 
Also very interested to hear changes relating to wind noise, but with the sunroof open. Noise can be subjective, especially given other noise-adding mods (ie. tires), so I'd love to hear multiple people's opinions!

With it open its noisy for sure, there is no getting around that fact. Maybe the deflector will help.. but with it closed it has not been bad enough to need a deflector yet...
 
I'd imagine top of the rack to any fixed, OEM point on the LX will be the most useful measurement.

Measuring to the ground will not be too helpful due to different tires, suspension, etc. that people may have.

That is what I was assuming but I was just asking for clarification.
 
with it closed it has not been bad enough to need a deflector yet...

Sounds like there's a noticeable increase in noise even with the sunroof closed?
 

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