Rhino Rack Vortex (5 Viewers)

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@ga89hoss - thanks for posting these pics, I am about to order the same setup.

Looking at your distance between bar pictures - if I am reading correctly your measurements are (center to center):

Front to middle bar: 26.5"
Middle to Rear bar: 28"

Is that right? My thule box has a spacing requirements between the bars and need to make sure it's 100% right before I order my kit. Can you please confirm?

Thanks!!
 
@digitalmarker Yes, those are the correct measurements. I have a hardshell tent now and the Rhino Rack has held up great.
 
Ok so it looks like your mounting points are actually really different from mine which explains the difference in spacing. My front mounting point on my 1999 LC are farther to the front than yours and the spacing between the bars (center to center) looks to be closer to 36" than 26".

The Thule box instructions say that the maximum distance between the bars can be 35.5" so I am pushing it real close. Going to throw the box onto the stock bars tonight to see what is the truly the widest distance it can handle before making the call.

Thanks for checking and confirming.

1999-landcruiser-rack-measurements.jpg
 
digitalmarker said:
Ok so it looks like your mounting points are actually really different from mine which explains the difference in spacing. My front mounting point on my 1999 LC are farther to the front than yours and the spacing between the bars (center to center) looks to be closer to 36" than 26".

The Thule box instructions say that the maximum distance between the bars can be 35.5" so I am pushing it real close. Going to throw the box onto the stock bars tonight to see what is the truly the widest distance it can handle before making the call.

Thanks for checking and confirming.

View attachment 1469660
Click to expand...
I had to drill another set of holes on my Thule box to get it to work with a rack on another vehicle. Their narrowest position was about 1/2" off. Took me 3 minutes tops and it worked fine. May be an option for your setup.
 
imag0801-jpg.1292181
digitalmarker said:
Ok so it looks like your mounting points are actually really different from mine which explains the difference in spacing. My front mounting point on my 1999 LC are farther to the front than yours and the spacing between the bars (center to center) looks to be closer to 36" than 26".

The Thule box instructions say that the maximum distance between the bars can be 35.5" so I am pushing it real close. Going to throw the box onto the stock bars tonight to see what is the truly the widest distance it can handle before making the call.

Thanks for checking and confirming.

View attachment 1469660
Click to expand...

You've got a "hidden" set of 4th mounting points just aft of the sunroof. All LC/LX models have 8 total tower mounts. Yours uses A/C/D mounts. The attached image shows the B/D mounts setup. Lift up the weather strip about 6-8 inches behind the forwardmost towers. You'll find the secret right there.
 
Ahh ok that sounds much better. Phew. Thought I am going to have to stretch the box mounts out to see if it will fit.

What did you use to cover up the exposed front mounts (position A) on both sides? Did the Rhino kit include something to cover those holes?
 
digitalmarker said:
Oh and that question was @geanes :)
Click to expand...

Toyota sells a cover for the exposed A.....holes :) I believe they're a couple $ each. Not too bad. You'd have to trim out the weatherstrip to expose the B mounts. It would require some customization, but could be done. I only found out about the "hidden" mounting points when researching my soon to be installed Gamiviti rack. I'm going with all 8 towers vs the traditional 6 for enhanced load distribution.

I don't think Rhino provides any covers at all.
 
@geanes yeah, saw that in another thread. The part number is 75557-60010. Do you know if that fits into the front holes specifically, or any of the exposed holes, and does the side (RH/LH) matter?

@ga89hoss would love to hear what you did with your exposed front opening (position A) and whether your entire channel with the mounting holes is covered up by these plates or weather stripping.
 
I really like this roof rack option and I'm seriously considering getting one for my truck. I noticed that autoanything sells it as a kit.
 
@digitalmarker yeah the spacing varies based on which holes you decide to use. I contacted Rhino Rack to see if I could get mounts for the very most forward set of holes and they told me that they do not offer them. The reasoning was that Australia has very high safety standards and they found the front mounting points to not be strong enough to pass their testing. Take that with a grain of salt though, TONS of people use the front mounts on heavily loaded racks with no issues at all. I wish I could find a rhino rack solution to add a 4th vortex bar. If anyone knows, chime in!

My stock rack only mounted in 2 locations on each side. When I first mounted the bars I just kept the rain/gutter flashing off. After about 6 months it really started to bother me as I like a clean look. I uninstalled the rack and used a dremel with a little cutoff wheel to modify the flashing. It made quick work of it and made for a MUCH better looking install.

The mounts are actually a two piece unit. You bolt the base in with two existing bolts and then the actual riser is attached using a longer 5mm safety hex bolt. I am able to remove the hard shell tent by just removing the 5mm bolts and lifting the tent off. The mounts come with pieces that cap it off in case you do not want the risers and bars on.

IMG_2110.JPG




50975580034__DD01BB45-46E9-46F5-B555-E83E3C494671.JPG


IMG_3774.JPG
 
Last edited:
Rhino Rack makes RLCP legs that are designed specifically for the 100 so you
can do crossbars or a complete platform w/6 feet (3 per side) that are level and bolt to
the existing holes. Pictured is my 100 with a Pioneer Platform 84"x56" which i use for
my RTT. Very strong and stiff.

IMG_0030.JPG
 
I have a Fiamma awning that was on my previous FJ60 but have not yet worked out
how to attach it to the Rhino Rack. Also, when I mount my Autohome Adventure RTT,
I have to remove the side rails, which only takes about 10 minutes.
 
@ga89hoss - thanks for the post. I ordered my kit yesterday so going to get it and install next week, same kit as yours. Can't wait to get it on the truck and test with the box!

Do you know the part number for the roof rack gutter for your truck's configuration (using mounts B, C, D) so that the gutter runs over/covers mount A? I would prefer to just swap out that piece of the gutter than to hack the existing gutter I have.
 
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