New Member Intro - LX570 Roof Rack Question (1 Viewer)

[BigLexusMN]

Hello, Mud members. A few months back I purchased a 2013 LX570 with 67,000 miles. Silver, all options. It's been great so far!

I've been reading the forum for many months now and have learned a lot, thank you. My question is, I put my Thule cargo box on last weekend on the factory roof rails and cross bars and the box sits too far back so the rear gate hits the rear of the box when opened (can't open the rear gate all the way). I know this is common (happens on my 2012 4Runner, too). Some of the threads on here mention possibly being able to move the factory rack forward a bit. I'm looking at my roof and how and where the factory rails attach but not sure it'll work.

Before I get to unbolting the current rack, anyone attempted moving the rails towards the front of the vehicle? Tips, pics, or write up?

I did also read a forum member has or sells LC200 factory roof racks which are longer and may give me the length I need to mount my Thule box and fully open the rear gate?

 

[grinchy]

There are four pads on each side. The LX rack uses pads 2 and 4. The tlc rack uses pads 1, 3, 4, so is a bit longer, and this can mount your cargo box further forward. The LX crossbars are likely not reusable, as the rails differ in width by a 1/2” or so.
You can find used TLC takeoffs and use in place of the LX rack.
Finally, 2016+ LX uses a different rail entirely and mounting and other rack requires dropping the headliner to access the underside of the holes, unless you want to drill and rivnut.

 

[NYC570]

This might be obvious but never hurts to ask, have you slid the thule box clamps all the way back and/or moved the roof rack cross bar forward?

 

[BigLexusMN]

Yah, the cargo box and the factory cross bars have quite a bit of adjustment but just not enough to move the box forward enough.

Did I read a forum member sometimes has TLC rails for sale?

 

[lx200inAR]

They come up for sale from time to time, but I don't think there is a specific forum member who sells them. There is a manager from a dealership who was giving them away for a while (for cost of shipping) as they were factory takeoffs for rigs they were building up with aftermarket racks. I suspect that there probably aren't any more coming from that source since there aren't any/many more new LC200s being sold.

There are also a lot of knockoffs on Ebay and Amazon. Like this. Think you can find them in both black and silver. I'm sure these aren't Toyota parts, but it's a pretty simple setup, so I doubt it matters that much.

I was able to modify my LX cross bars to work with the land cruiser rails, but YMMV on that front. And I've never seen the knock off rails in person, but I know some other members have used them, so I am only assuming the crossbars work with them like factory parts.

Best bet if you want factory parts, is to throw up a "Wanted" add in the classifieds section. Maybe someone who recently added an aftermarket rack will let theirs go.

 

[biff44]

in case anyone is interested, i found what appear to be a set of used crossbars for a recent lx570 on ebay for a real discount.

search in ebay for "2016-2020 Lexus LX570 Roof Rack Roof Rail Cross Bars Aluminum Black Pair"

right now there is one pair left.

i was going to add a 3rd crossbar to the existing roof rails, and if it does not look too stupid, was going to roll like that

being ebay, no guarantees on the quality, but if you want to wait a few days i will get my set in and can answer any quesitons

 

[TheLCProject]

I might have LX crossbars for sale soon. I removed my rack. DM if you're interested in that route.

 

[highfructose]

I installed one of the Chinese knockoff land cruiser roof racks a couple years ago…no complaints so far. I also installed 2 extra crossbars…I think it’ll fit 5 total.

 

[biff44]

I installed one of the Chinese knockoff land cruiser roof racks a couple years ago…no complaints so far. I also installed 2 extra crossbars…I think it’ll fit 5 total.

that would be the way to go!
unfortunately i already paid full freight for the original 2 crossbars, so i need some additional ones that match the look

two crossbars are just not enough if you are hauling something bulky (i am thinking canoe, wood dresser, lumber). the more crossmembers, the more secure the load will be.

 

[tacoduck]

I installed one of the Chinese knockoff land cruiser roof racks a couple years ago…no complaints so far. I also installed 2 extra crossbars…I think it’ll fit 5 total.

Thread bump! I’m curious if you have to take down the headliner, or if it’s just a couple bolts.

 

[highfructose]

Thread bump! I’m curious if you have to take down the headliner, or if it’s just a couple bolts.

I’ve got a 2011 so no need to take down headliner. I’ve heard in the newer ones that don’t have a classic “roof rack” and instead just have low profile rails you’ve got to take down the headliner.

Removal of the oem rack and install of the aftermarket/lc200 knockoff oem one was very easy…just have to make sure you don’t over loosen each bolt of the pair at each mounting point as you’re removing them…the thing they screw on to will spin and potentially fall into the headliner if you loosen one bolt too much without loosening the other. Same thing with tightening I think. Unscrew each side of the pairs of mounting bolts a few turns each (alternating) so they come out at about the same time and you won’t have to worry about dropping the headliner in an older lx.

I also put down a layer of caulk/silicone on the bolts to act as an extra “washer” and ensure no water intrusion at the mounting points.

 

[biff44]

that would be the way to go!
unfortunately i already paid full freight for the original 2 crossbars, so i need some additional ones that match the look

two crossbars are just not enough if you are hauling something bulky (i am thinking canoe, wood dresser, lumber). the more crossmembers, the more secure the load will be.

ha, this is an oldie.
i DID find a 3rd crossbar OEM.
what i had not planned on is the roof is not flat, but has a hump in the middle.
so if i lay a straight piece of something over the three crossbars, it touches the front and middle one, but the rear one is about an inch too low! i am building an add on to increase the height of the rear one.

but if i had realized this would happen, i just would have gotten a low profile rack, and paid someone to figure out the whole headliner thing. those low profile rails suck, what the heck were they thinking?


LX570

 

[lx200inAR]

ha, this is an oldie.
i DID find a 3rd crossbar OEM.
what i had not planned on is the roof is not flat, but has a hump in the middle.
so if i lay a straight piece of something over the three crossbars, it touches the front and middle one, but the rear one is about an inch too low! i am building an add on to increase the height of the rear one.

but if i had realized this would happen, i just would have gotten a low profile rack, and paid someone to figure out the whole headliner thing. those low profile rails suck, what the heck were they thinking?


LX570

Something to consider. At least on the LC rack and crossbars, they are very flexible. Even though with no weight they may not be on an even plane, but once weighted down, that may not be as much of a concern. I’m not sure how much of an imbalance you are looking at or what you are actually mounting. So maybe not any help.