Rhino Rack Pioneer Vs. Front Runner Slimline II

[Blackwater]

Do these new version 2 racks come with 8 legs, or did you order 2 extra?

 

[KIRUXA]

Do these new version 2 racks come with 8 legs, or did you order 2 extra?

I guess they do come with 8 legs. I never asked for extras anyways.

 

[El Cid]

The version II as I understand it, is an 8 leg rack, Blackwater. Therein lies my curiousity. Apparently, the rail system accomodates that and it isn't a function of using all or every one of the previous drilled holes.

Removing mine was corrosion hell, so I'm glad I'm doing this as it wouldn' thave been much longer and it would be very difficult.

I'm always doing work in 2 hour increments so the more I can prep for when the rack arrives, the more I can enjoy it!

Kiruxa, thanks for the help!

If you take any other photos, give us a close up of where the mount sits on the LC, I'm curious as to how it actually attaches to the vehicle...

 

[KIRUXA]

The 7' rails from front runner bolt into the holes of where the original roof rack used to bolt into.
However there's one hole on each rail which you will see line up with an existing bolt on the roof. I don't know what this bolt does but I took it out and installed the hardware provided by front runner.
Once you installed the 7' rail. You slide each leg into the rail. 4 per side and then you can position the roof rack anywhere along the length of the rail. I will take some pics.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Just want to know why someone wanna spend that kinna money on a rack ,mine cost me maybe $250 with feet.

I agree. There is always more than one way to skin a cat... More than likely, somebody has done it before you to help.

http://www.wildyoats.com/the_j-rack.htm

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/88016-diy-roof-rack-h-moose.html

 

[El Cid]

The 7' rails from front runner bolt into the holes of where the original roof rack used to bolt into.
However there's one hole on each rail which you will see line up with an existing bolt on the roof. I don't know what this bolt does but I took it out and installed the hardware provided by front runner.
Once you installed the 7' rail. You slide each leg into the rail. 4 per side and then you can position the roof rack anywhere along the length of the rail. I will take some pics.

That's starting to make sense now that I slid back the strip that served to cover the previous bolts. Luckily, my other bolts were in good shape, so I only need to clean two per side and the rest I used air pressure, some naval jelly, and wd40 to clean. It's clean and ready to go now..

I'm hoping it will be a quick turn around, I'm psyched about how this will look, hope you don't mind that I copied your exact rack specs!

Are the FrontRunner bolts stainless steel? If so, I may swap them out for some that are..I think that would help prevent corrosion quite a bit..

Digging for the 13 mm wrench now...

 

[KIRUXA]

A few photos.

 

[El Cid]

The more I dig into it, the more happy I am with that choice of rack. I wanted steel originally, but I'm sensitive to the overall weight and I really just wanted that front guard that you have on yours.

That the rack can be moved forward or back slightly is a nice bonus..

 

[El Cid]

Just want to know why someone wanna spend that kinna money on a rack ,mine cost me maybe $250 with feet.

It may have only cost you $250 out of pocket, but depending on your time investment, the cost was probably closer to $500. Time isn't free. I'd love to build one of my own, but I don't have that kind of skill and I get paid more per hour to use my time in another business.

And that's before we get into the safety and design discussion. How did you design the rack? How precise are the design specifications? Has your rack been stress tested? Engineered for safety? How did you define quality in your rack?

I'm not saying don't build your own rack, but it didn't cost $250..

 

[El Cid]

Kiruxa,

Found this, I'm betting it's a good approximation of the process for the 100 as well..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlVDBeDBuK4

 

[KIRUXA]

Kiruxa,

Found this, I'm betting it's a good approximation of the process for the 100 as well..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlVDBeDBuK4

Yes it is very close. The only difference I saw is that the bolts to secure the rails did not come or were needed those silver looking tubular spacers.

I also agree with your post for $250...lol.

 

[El Cid]

Funny you mention that, that stuck out to me as well. Plus, he used some adhesive product when applying those spacers, glad to hear yours didn't include it, I can't imagine how they would help the integrity of the rack.

 

[El Cid]

Ok, I should point out a drawback of dealing with FrontRunner.

I spoke via email with their service person, Tina, who gave me a prompt, courteous response to a small question I had about the product. Then, I called their main office location to ask specifics about shipping if I were to order over the weekend.

I was told they could probably get the product to me by Friday. That exceeded my expectations, I work long days, and I'm expected to travel for work all of next week. If I could get the product in by Friday, I could install the roof rack over the weekend and get some use. Plus have it ready when I arrived back into town the next week. If I couldn't, then I wouldn't even see the product for two weeks in the best scenario and I'd be wiser just to wait to make the purchase. Bottom line, I relied on the expectation it would be available by Saturday at the latest in making a purchase.

Well, someone at Front Runner designated the delivery by 'signature only.' Meaning I have to be home to sign for the product. That's not happening, as I work during the day.

And I'm not even sure it was necessary, as I live in a safe neighborhood, but I had to re-route the delivery to a Fedex service center. Now it's ETA unknown and typically, it means the shipment goes back to a warehouse and is re-stocked until they can schedule a signature only delivery.

Bottom line, if you buy from Front Runner in the US, their default shipping method is delivery by signature only. If you can't be home to sign, you probably won't get the product and then you'll be driving around to warehouse locations to find your product. In a major US city, that's an ordeal and can be very difficult.

My guess is that FrontRunner USA , is basically a distribution center for the manufacturer and they simply want to collect their cash, get the product shipped and out of their warehouse so they can book the sale.

Just a heads up..

 

[lrowe_csp]

Thanks for the head's up on the signature. That is infuriating when they do that, and having to use my vacation time to take off from work to do a pickup at the depot during working hours really frosts me.

 

[El Cid]

Thanks for the head's up on the signature. That is infuriating when they do that, and having to use my vacation time to take off from work to do a pickup at the depot during working hours really frosts me.

I'm glad I'm not alone. And yeah, it drives me nuts, too.

Those warehouses where shipments are re-routed are a good distance away for a reason, just navigating and finding them is an hour or more, for me. Completely defeats the purpose of fast shipping.

The long and short is that the rack is excellent. It's good engineering& design. I'm thankful I didn't opt for steel. It would just be unnecessary for my needs.. Good fit and finish and it's just a quality product.

I'll post an update later about the install, Kiruxa's points are very helpful....

 

[KIRUXA]

A couple more tips is to lay something that will not scratch the roof rack on the flow in your garage.
There's lots of boxes with lots of components which might seem overwhelming and I couple of time I just said WTF?!?! However step back have a few sips of your favorite cold beer and if its
Still too much message here and ill see if I can help lol. Good luck?

 

[El Cid]

That 13 mm flexible ratchet is a must, you weren't lying about that. I'm adjusting it now. One problem. The feet which attach to the vehicle came in short and longer lengths. Four of each. The instructions that I have don't quite mention this..

The biggest thing that helped me was I laid the rack out first and knocked that out early. Very thankful I did that, it was the heavy lifting for mine, but yeah it's bolt and washer hell overall.

Obviously, there will be short/long feet on each side.

Where do the short and long feet go? Front? Back? Middle? Alternating(unlikely)?

I loaded the rack up and noticed that, had my first serious wtf moment..

 

[KIRUXA]

That 13 mm flexible ratchet is a must, you weren't lying about that. I'm adjusting it now. One problem. The feet which attach to the vehicle came in short and longer lengths. Four of each. The instructions that I have don't quite mention this..

The biggest thing that helped me was I laid the rack out first and knocked that out early. Very thankful I did that, it was the heavy lifting for mine, but yeah it's bolt and washer hell overall.

Obviously, there will be short/long feet on each side.

Where do the short and long feet go? Front? Back? Middle? Alternating(unlikely)?

I loaded the rack up and noticed that, had my first serious wtf moment..

Haha yea I hear ya!

Ok let's take one rail for example:

You have 4 feet. Put 2 short ones on the inside and 2 long ones on the outside. So you will slide it long, short, short, long.
This way the rack will be level and it will still meet the curvature of landcruiser's roof.

 

[El Cid]

You sir, are outstanding.



And I swear, my instructions(I'm short something here) said nothing about this very question.

Thanks, Kiruxa!

 

[KIRUXA]

You sir, are outstanding.



And I swear, my instructions(I'm short something here) said nothing about this very question.

Thanks, Kiruxa!

Lol! Glad I could help and yes instructions are short of mentioning a couple of points.