Rooftop crossbar options for LX - Landcruiser or aftermarket

[doru]

If you can wait enough, and subscribe to the classifieds forum, a rack will show up eventually. I also got mine here and with some missing/broken parts replaced from Toyota. The rails and the cross bars are the expensive parts, the rest is not expensive.

IMHO Toyota should have shipped the LX with the LC rack. It looks so much better. It is not only longer but also lower than the LX for more clearance. The LX rack looks like a hump in comparison.

The LX rails are actually beefier than the LC, also extruded aluminum - very strong. So I would not worry about the load.

 

[doru]

The factory rack is more robust and durable than most people give credit to, and I'd wager is probably stronger than most aftermarket stuff. The side rails in particular are large robust castings and extrusions, compared to the bent plate some of the aftermarket uses. The stock cross bars granted can be a bit flexy, but flexy often can be more durable long term than stiff bars bars without enough structure and development. Problem with the LX rack is that it's too short.



Do you mean adding something like the Rhino Rack Vortex to one of the forward roof mounts, while keep the LX rack? That's actually a pretty brilliant idea. Try it, I think may do what you're looking for. Use it as the forward mount, and push the two stock cross bars rearward to work as a pair.

Here's what I'm doing for my RTT at the moment, which is to add another pair to double up cross bars. On an extended LC rack. It's not completely flat which means I have to use spacers on the RTT rail in a couple locations.

View attachment 3139704

Hey, was your rack silver from factory or have you paint it? I haven't seen a silver LC rack in the US.

 

[nakman]

Maybe hit up some shops that are close to you and see if they have any take-off racks? Torfab down in Everett, for example.. I think that's close to you?

I have a pile of these, I give them away to anyone local (Denver) who wants to swap racks, or upgrade a couple extra cross bars like you've seen here. But I don't really ship them out, I'll sell an end cap now and then but packing up cross bars and/or putting together a full kit is just not worth the effort, if I'm going to spend half a day packing a rack that's not going to be with a take-off. There are actually a ton of variants with model years, colors, LC/LX/GX/4runners, etc. But the cross bars are all generally the same, they just vary by length. If it were me I'd bring Nick & Tor a 6-pack and see if they'll let you dig through their pile... presuming there is one.

 

[LFDOffRoad]

@LFDOffRoad makes some that will work with your factory rails!! They should send me some as much as I post about them…I don’t even have any. But I’ve heard great things about their stuff in the GX crowd.

Ruggedized Crossbar Kit - Land Cruiser 200

Our popular Ruggedized Crossbar Kit, now for 200 Series Land Cruisers! This is a Bundle package of three standard Ruggedized Crossbars plus one Integrated Wind Fairing Crossbar, for a total of four Crossbars. Available for factory 200 Series Land Cruiser side rails. The crossbars are SIDE RAIL...

lfdoffroad.com

PM inbound

OP, depending on what style tent you're trying to use our crossbars may be an option, they work well with all but the huge hard shells on that length rack.

 

[arbetrader]

@LFDOffRoad makes some that will work with your factory rails!! They should send me some as much as I post about them…I don’t even have any. But I’ve heard great things about their stuff in the GX crowd.

Ruggedized Crossbar Kit - Land Cruiser 200

Our popular Ruggedized Crossbar Kit, now for 200 Series Land Cruisers! This is a Bundle package of three standard Ruggedized Crossbars plus one Integrated Wind Fairing Crossbar, for a total of four Crossbars. Available for factory 200 Series Land Cruiser side rails. The crossbars are SIDE RAIL...

lfdoffroad.com

Thanks! The thing is, it states on their website that it won't work for an LX unless it has the longer landcruiser rack.

 

[arbetrader]

Maybe hit up some shops that are close to you and see if they have any take-off racks? Torfab down in Everett, for example.. I think that's close to you?

I have a pile of these, I give them away to anyone local (Denver) who wants to swap racks, or upgrade a couple extra cross bars like you've seen here. But I don't really ship them out, I'll sell an end cap now and then but packing up cross bars and/or putting together a full kit is just not worth the effort, if I'm going to spend half a day packing a rack that's not going to be with a take-off. There are actually a ton of variants with model years, colors, LC/LX/GX/4runners, etc. But the cross bars are all generally the same, they just vary by length. If it were me I'd bring Nick & Tor a 6-pack and see if they'll let you dig through their pile... presuming there is one.

Thanks for that info! Hey, if you ever change your mind on that, I'd order it today!! (Factory landcruiser rails)

 

[TeCKis300]

Hey, was your rack silver from factory or have you paint it? I haven't seen a silver LC rack in the US.

I was probably one of the first to change mine and it was long time ago before they could be found easily. It came as is. Pretty sure it's OEM but now you're making me wonder?

 

[LFDOffRoad]

Thanks! The thing is, it states on their website that it won't work for an LX unless it has the longer landcruiser rack.

We've got pre-2016 LX570 specific crossbars as well

 

[Phoenix28]

Hello, I have a 2008 LX570 (with the short rack). I was wondering if there are any other crossbar options, OR if I put stronger crossbars on will it be able to hold a rooftop tent?

I've been looking for the longer bars (landcruiser style) but nobody in my area has one available... OR the other options is to invest in a prinsu rack which my local distributer has one in stock for my vehicle. I know that is the best option but $$$.

I imagine I could just get new strong crossbars that attach to the outer edge of the existing sidebars - has anyone done this? Is it strong enough for a rtt? I'm guessing I'd probably need longer bars to help with the weight given you can't have too much cantilever - just looking for any input?

Thanks to ALL that reply!

Yes, I put on the Rhino Rack (Vortex) with three crossbars and definitely recommend it.

 

[Voteforpedro]

Installing a full "expedition" rack only to cover it with a RTT is pretty pointless IMO. Extra expense, extra weight, extra complexity, and lower access under the tent, all for no gains.

I have three 49" Rhino Rack Vortex bars on my LX. (There are about a hundred vendors around Vancouver/Fraser Valley that you can buy these from.)

I previously had an AluCab Gen3 RTT and their Shadow Awning mounted to these (about 250lbs total) with no issues. Great setup.

I am also looking for load bars and didn't find any 49" bars, but rather 54" ones. Might you have an earlier size?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I am also looking for load bars and didn't find any 49" bars, but rather 54" ones. Might you have an earlier size?

Rhino Rack sells (or at least sold) both those widths. At one point I had two sets: one of each of those lengths.

 

[Voteforpedro]

Rhino Rack sells (or at least sold) both those widths. At one point I had two sets: one of each of those lengths.

After searching, they now sell them in the 7 lengths: 1260mm (49"), 42", 46", 54", 59" and 65". So you must have the 1260mm version (46.6", to be exact). Thank you for throwing this out, as I really didn't want the bars to extend too far past the towers.

 

[KTMRIDER]

I have the stock load bars and rack off my 2016 Land Cruiser I sold. I was running the EZ Awn load bars for my RTT. Not sure if I have the hardware for the rack part would have to look around.

Where is the OP located? Free if you pickup in So Cal near Westlake/Thousand Oaks. If OP doesn’t want them let me know if anyone else wants them.
Eric

 

[arbetrader]

I have the stock load bars and rack off my 2016 Land Cruiser I sold. I was running the EZ Awn load bars for my RTT. Not sure if I have the hardware for the rack part would have to look around.

Where is the OP located? Free if you pickup in So Cal near Westlake/Thousand Oaks. If OP doesn’t want them let me know if anyone else wants them.
Eric

Would you be willing to ship if I pay? To WA state?

 

[KTMRIDER]

Rack/load bars are spoken for.

 

[arbetrader]

Installing a full "expedition" rack only to cover it with a RTT is pretty pointless IMO. Extra expense, extra weight, extra complexity, and lower access under the tent, all for no gains.

I have three 49" Rhino Rack Vortex bars on my LX. (There are about a hundred vendors around Vancouver/Fraser Valley that you can buy these from.)

I previously had an AluCab Gen3 RTT and their Shadow Awning mounted to these (about 250lbs total) with no issues. Great setup.

Hey, quick question (I know it's been a few months since this interchange) - I noticed on your setup that you have 3 crossbars, and removed the factory rails (from what it looks like)... I thought the LC (and LX for that matter) have 3 mounting points (for the rails) but I see you're not using the front ones in this photo; are you using the factory mounting points at all? Or how did you get these crossbars affixed to the vehicle without using them? Did you just cover them up? Just wondering specifically which models and bases you purchased and how they attach exactly (if possible)? Cheers, and thanks for responding earlier!

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Hey, quick question (I know it's been a few months since this interchange) - I noticed on your setup that you have 3 crossbars, and removed the factory rails (from what it looks like)... I thought the LC (and LX for that matter) have 3 mounting points (for the rails) but I see you're not using the front ones in this photo; are you using the factory mounting points at all? Or how did you get these crossbars affixed to the vehicle without using them? Did you just cover them up? Just wondering specifically which models and bases you purchased and how they attach exactly (if possible)? Cheers, and thanks for responding earlier!

There are at least 4 factory mounting points on each side. These bars mount to the rear 3 of those factory spots. The set is 3 Rhino Rack Vortex bars, with feet/landing pads meant for a LC200. There's more info buried in my build thread (see link in signature).

As it happens I'll actually be passing through Abbotsford today. If you want to have a quick look and can meet me along the #1 sometime around 3:30-4:30pm, I can show you the setup in person.

 

[dloLC007]

I have Yakama round bars on the OEM rails. Has the original LX rails for 7 years then switched to LC rails ~1.5 years ago. Here are some pics with the canoe and RTT are LX rails, others are LC rails.


View attachment 3139657

View attachment 3139658

View attachment 3139659

View attachment 3139660

View attachment 3139655

How long are your crossbars?

 

[coleAK]

How long are your crossbars?

66”

But for years now I’ve debated going to the 78” as they could get my RTT and skinny warrior on at the same time.

 

[doru]

I was probably one of the first to change mine and it was long time ago before they could be found easily. It came as is. Pretty sure it's OEM but now you're making me wonder?

I know very late response ... they come like that from factory, same color as my truck.
I really like how my silver LX looks with the black LC bars that are longer but also lower height. Makes the LX more stylish by making it appear longer rather than taller.
The only drawback of the LC bars on an LX is the lost protection for the roof fin (GPS antena). With LX rack an obstacle like a garage door when going in reverse, will first hit the rack, while with LC rack it will first hit the antena (don't ask how I know). I do not know if that is also the case for LC or they have a shorter fin.