OEM crossbars vs. noise vs. MPG

[tmils470]

I took off my rear spoiler tonight, looks great.
While I was up there I got to wondering where is the best place to slide the crossbars for less noise? And maybe MPG:

Both front as close together as possible?
Both rear as close together as possible?
Spread apart?
Together in the middle?

I left mine as close together as possible in the rearmost position on the rack.
At least if they make noise it will be farther away from me in the front seat.

2002 LX 470

 

[phsycle]

Crossbar placement isn't going to make any difference. I've tried to see if taking off my Yak crossbars (x3) made a difference in MPG. Nope. Still crappy.

 

[yovanoel]

Now I know that 100 series [or any other 4x4] isn't designed to be sleek BUT if this were an aircraft then you would mount those bars as AFT and as close as possible.

The reason behind this is that you would like to keep the profile as aerodynamic as possible and only let the air become turbulent towards the rear [where is doesn't matter so much].

...via IH8MUD app

 

[liveoak]

I took my crossbars off completely but left the siderails on and it seems I gained at least 1mpg (on the highway) however I can't be sure if that was the reason. It is much quiter and easier to wash though. I commute in a 2010 corolla s and removed the rear wing on the trunk lid and definitely gained about 2mpg as have others so I don't see why that theory wouldn't apply in some way to the cruiser crossbars.

 

[tmils470]

So for now I will leave them in the "aft" position and check for noise etc.

I would rather remove them but, from what I have read, you need to remove the side bars to take out the crossbars. Seems like it should be easier than that.
Am I missing something?

 

[Dwight S]

So for now I will leave them in the "aft" position and check for noise etc.

I would rather remove them but, from what I have read, you need to remove the side bars to take out the crossbars. Seems like it should be easier than that.
Am I missing something?

No, you are not missing anything. You do have to pull the rails to remove the cross bars. Not hard, remove the caps on each end, remove bolts. Do this on both sides, then push rails forward (I think, or backwards) to unlock from center leg. Lift off, unscrew cross bars and remove. Reinstall... should be able to do it in less than an hour.

You could also pull entire rack for a really clean roof. You'll need to plug the bolt holes and get caps for the holes in the gutters, but the results look good.

 

[tmils470]

Removing the caps without damaging them is my hold up.
They are painted and perfect now. Maybe if the truck sits out in the sun they will be more compliant. Should be 75 and sunny this weekend........... we will see

I do like the look without the rack.

 

[phsycle]

I took my crossbars off completely but left the siderails on and it seems I gained at least 1mpg (on the highway) however I can't be sure if that was the reason.

I guess I'm pretty skeptical of the MPG gain from the removal of factory crossbars. I took meticulous data for a few months with and without Yakima crossbars (thicker and bigger than factory). Results were inconclusive. The average MPG taken over a few weeks' time, same commute, distance, speed, etc. were essentially the same for me.

 

[e9999]

gut feeling is that it should make a measurable difference at higher speeds. I do think that my full rack costs me something like 1 or 2 mpg on the highway. So if I had to guess I'd say the crossbars alone might be something like 1/4 mpg. Just a WAG though.

 

[tmils470]

I think it will cost me more if I damage the rack removeing it than I will save in fuel costs.
Highway is my only consideration on MPG and aerodynamics. City is all about light right foot.

My other truck is a Ford V10 crew cab 4WD weights about 8000 lbs so I have learned to drive like I have an egg between my foot and the gas pedal. Really makes a difference.

 

[DJWUZJ]

I ran around with no rack before I put on my FrontRunner. The difference without a rack was so negligible, I dont know if I could call it a single MPG.

The truck did look very cool sans rack, but dont think it creates enough of a noticeable difference based on MPG's alone.

 

[hankinid]

So for now I will leave them in the "aft" position and check for noise etc.

I would rather remove them but, from what I have read, you need to remove the side bars to take out the crossbars. Seems like it should be easier than that.
Am I missing something?

There's a TSB out there that addresses minimizing noise.

Steve

 

[hoser]

Check to see if the cross bars were installed in the correct orientation.