New Front Runner Rack Mounting System for 100 Series...

[VidereStudios]

The Slimline II's on Christo's website have a different SKU than on the FR site...and they say that they are 85" x 53". Don't know if they are old number's on Slee's site or if he has access to a 85" version...

It's a head scratcher why FR would go this route with a shorter rack...

Did someone from FR say they offered racks in custom lengths? Or is that something I dreamt up?

I believe I saw the same thing as well, hoser. I just couldn't find longer side rails on FR's site. May have to give them a call.

The new rack looks great though.

 

[El Cid]

Gotta be a way to get the 85. I wouldn't go shorter either, Im convinced there is a way to find it.

 

[BoiseFJ]

Hopefully you can still buy the old style. The new design loses the option of having 4 feet as well as the ability to have a side-loaded under mount table. Why mess with such a good design?

The old style mounts are not available any longer unfortunately. The new style mounts do allow for a side loaded under mount table. I am a dealer for Front Runner and just got off the phone with them and they confirmed it.

 

[BoiseFJ]

Just when I was getting ready to pull the trigger on a Front Runner rack I just went to their website and found out they completely changed the mounting design for the 100.

http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.co...unt-toyota-land-cruiser-100.html#.VRcsPo5RySo

Anyone purchase this new model yet? Please don't make me be the first.....
On the up side, I think it is cheaper then the old model by $100 or so.

I just got one, and it am installing it on April 16th. Will post pics.

 

[OregonLC]

The old style mounts are not available any longer unfortunately. The new style mounts do allow for a side loaded under mount table. I am a dealer for Front Runner and just got off the phone with them and they confirmed it.

So it must be accessed through the rear slot? I guess I'd have to see it, there's just not a whole lot of room to get fingers in there.

And not that it's a huge deal, but this also really limits your ability to clean trail gunk off the top of your truck. Leaves, mud, dirt, etc. With factory (and others) you can get a pressure washer at it from the side as well as a little access with a wash mitt.

No, a shorter rack with (IMO) less desirable support has pretty much killed this as an option for me. Too bad because I was planning to buy one here next month. I've been teetering between Gamiviti, FR, and home built. Guess this narrows it down. Shame because FR was going to be my first choice.

Regarding Hoser's question, this from the FR website: "We offer 55 different size racks with 6 different mounting options, so it is very likely we can put together a solution that works for you. If you don't see a roof rack solution for your vehicle listed here, please CONTACT US"

 

[SmoothLC]

cc @BryanFRO

 

[hoser]

FJC forum… talks about +8" extension...

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...runner-roof-racks-any-good-6.html#post5023329

 

[badlander]

Good news guys!! I just got off the phone with Bryan at Front Runner. I PM'd him last night regarding this thread (thank you Smooth LC for the link) and he said after reviewing the thread and your feed back he called the headquarters in South Africa today and they are going to design a longer new style rack to fit our needs. It will have eight mounting feet bolting into the roof, 4 on each side and the side rails will extend to the most forward mounting points on the roof rather than the points behind the front doors which the current (new) version uses. It will also be back to the full 85" length!
We just have to wait about 2 months for them to get it in production and ship them over.
I'll gladly wait for that!!!
By the way, he said the main reason for the change in design was because of complaints about wind noise. Apparently the newer design is quieter. Either way, I'm stoked!!
A big "Thank You" to Bryan and Front Runner and also to all you guys who posted input and feedback on this thread!!
Hallalulia
cp

 

[SmoothLC]

Good to hear @badlander !

I've bought a bunch of stuff from FRO (Bryan and Steve) and they provide great service.

 

[RobRed]

I didnt want to comment in too much detail but I have been working with Steve on this for a few weeks. I provided detailed feedback etc about the issues and I agree FR is listening. I've had nothing but great service from them on this.

The bummer for me is I leave in two weeks for Moab (10 day trip) and I'll likely be using the neutered set up since FR is weeks away from the solution.

 

[El Cid]

The engineer that developed this product deserves respect. I love my rack.

 

[VidereStudios]

That is great news. I am getting close to buying two racks for my two LX's and FR was the leader until I saw the size specs on the new rack. Almost 100% sure I will be buying FR racks if they bring the size back up to 85".

Yeah, their designer / engineer needs a good high five. The modularity of the system looks pretty amazing.

 

[badlander]

When I PM'd Bryan last week I included a link to this thread so I'm hoping he is still checking in and seeing all this positive feedback. I'm very excited as well.
Thanks again Bryan and Front Runner OUtfitters!!

 

[climberoleg]

On Monday I went to front runner in agora hills, ca and picked up the remainder of my roof rack accessories. This includes a roof top tent, 2.5m awning, brackets for both, and jerry can mount. I also managed to install the roof rack.

While I was there I met with Bryan and Steve. They are both great and have exceptional customer service skills. I think it's them personally but front runner as a company as well. Because of this thread Bryan has been working with the home office in South Africa which is manufacturing extensions for the new designed rails and an 8" extension for the roof rack. This should alleviate all the concerns about he size change. I should be receiving those parts in a few months and will update my post at that time.

As far as this rack install goes. I had to Dremel out 4 holes in my rain gutter. The middle attachment requires three bolts and the stock roof rack comes with two so that had to be extended. Also these current rails and the future roof rack rails use a hidden set of bolts that need to be opened up under the rain gutter. They are about a foot behind the most forward attachment point on the stock roof rack. All together the install job would have taken about 1.5 hrs, but because I had no idea about the mounting bolt locations it took me about 4 including research.

Front runner assures me that they will update the instructions to reflect USA spec land cruisers to make install easier. I'll update more pics when my cruiser is out of the shop.

 

[badlander]

climberoleg,
Thanks for posting those pictures. The rack looks fantastic on your truck. Your second picture provides a good view of the clearance between the bottom of the rack and the roof which I was really curious about.

 

[BoiseFJ]

Just got mine installed on Saturday. Install was easy, and I am looking forward to the longer rack myself. Looking forward to using it.

 

[rob1171]

Slimline II installed. I also purchased the Front Runner Water tank. What is nice is that the LX fits in the garage with the rack, that is when my wife's 2004 LX isn't around.

 

[badlander]

rob1171,
It does look nice on the truck.
I really had my heart set on a Front runner rack but the last time I talked to Brian at Front Runner, which was about a month ago now, he said the new longer racks were not on the manifest for the container currently in route from S. Africa (which takes 8 week to get to the U.S.). And as a matter of fact he said the engineers hadn't even started working on the new longer design yet.
So now we're looking at maybe near the end of the year for delivery.....if it happens at all.

Unfortunately that would not fit into my travel plan time frame and since I definitely needed a longer length rack I bailed from Front Runner and went ahead a purchased an Eezi-Awn 2.2 meter (86.6") K9 rack form Equipt.

Sorry Front Runner, but you LET ME DOWN.

I already have the K9 rack installed and am in the process of building it up, making brackets for the Foxwing awning, brackets for accessories, etc.. I have a CVT Mt Shasta being delivered in about 3 weeks and once I get that mounted on the rack I can get everything else arranged and placed where they fit best on the rack.

 

[Bloomer]

Having recently worked with Front Runner on a purchase and self-install of a slimline II rack, I feel very confident in saying that they are not in the business of letting anyone down. I discussed with them why they changed to the new mounting system, which results in a shorter roof rack. As I understand, it was at least in a large part due to feedback from customers on wind noise and offering a system with more carrying capacity (weight).

I'm a big fan of Front Runner. They provide great customer service and were very helpful to me with multiple questions by email during my installation. There were a few nights I was up late working on the install and sent email questions, and promptly received a response. Great guys to work with IMHO!

 

[sdnative]

The wind deflector that comes with the system forces high pressure air directly into the sunroof. Do not use it. It probably worked on the old tray as it would be hitting air on leading edge of the roof.

I discussed with them why they changed to the new mounting system...As I understand, it was at least in a large part due to feedback from customers on wind noise

So the new system reduces noise from the mounting system but the wind deflector is less effective? I never really noticed any noise from the mounts, only from the "wind deflector".