Builds Tex's 2019 GX460 build (1 Viewer)

[rex in bama]

Well I was at half mast today after the rack showed up, or so I thought. There was only one box delivered and it was for the 84x49 Pioneer Platform, but not the Backbone side rails. I called and inquired about the other half of my order only to find out that the Backbone system is currently on backorder. Luckily it will be arriving to Rhino Rack USA on November 8 and I should have it in my hands about one week later. It sucks that they would ship half of the order instead of waiting and shipping it all at once, but it is what it is and at least I got to get started on what is the more involved portion of assembly.

I have to admit that I am pretty impressed with this product and how easily and precisely it all goes together. More so, I appreciated the simple instructions and the included tools. They provide you a Philips head driver and a pre-set torque t-wrench with socket for the seventy some-odd nuts you must install. The torque wrench is pre-set to 6.0 Nm or 4.4 lb-ft and it has a nice, loud, audible click when it hits capacity. The side rails are laser marked with numbered positions front and rear in order for you to place your crossbars exactly where the fit guide instructs you to do so, which is based upon your particular make and year model vehicle. According to the CS rep at Rhino Rack, this is the second generation Pioneer Platform and it has some improvements over the original.

Everything went together as it should and I couldn't be more pleased with the fit/finish and overall quality of the platform. Hopefully I receive the Backbone system when expected so that I can get this rack completed and on the truck. I couldn't be more ready to get the spare out of the cargo area on our trips so that I can reclaim that space for cargo/gear.

good deal, you went with the full rack! Quick note, don’t drill until you get the backbone and lay it out on the rack. Had I just followed the instructions that came with mine, I would have drilled in the wrong place.

 

[Tex68w]

good deal, you went with the full rack! Quick note, don’t drill until you get the backbone and lay it out on the rack. Had I just followed the instructions that came with mine, I would have drilled in the wrong place.

I am not sure if there is any drilling required for the rack to the Backbone, the rep mentioned the newer Gen racks come with a new adapter kit. I'll see what's going on with it once the Backbone and that kit are here. For now the platform is built and out of the way, I'll try not to look at it or think about it for a few more weeks until that stuff shows up lol.

 

[rex in bama]

Mine came in June, so yes they could have changed something in the interim. If I recall correctly, only the forward most point needed to be drilled on mine, the other points matched up.

One other note on the install, use a ball end hex as recommended in the backbone install. A few of those were a bit tough to get really tight - and would have been near impossible w/o it, not to mention the finish damage you would do on the backbone.
You are going to really like that backbone - hard to imagine a more solid mount. The forward rack attachment point is also further forward than if you just used the rhino rack feet mounts, so it feels solid across the full length.

 

[Tex68w]

Mine came in June, so yes they could have changed something in the interim. If I recall correctly, only the forward most point needed to be drilled on mine, the other points matched up.

One other note on the install, use a ball end hex as recommended in the backbone install. A few of those were a bit tough to get really tight - and would have been near impossible w/o it, not to mention the finish damage you would do on the backbone.
You are going to really like that backbone - hard to imagine a more solid mount. The forward rack attachment point is also further forward than if you just used the rhino rack feet mounts, so it feels solid across the full length.

Good to know. I have the ball end t-handle hex keys so I should be good there and they are long too. I liked the Backbone simply because it sits lower to the top of the roof than the standard three foot design and it sits nearly 1.5" lower than that of the Front Runner. I like the aesthetics of the Backbone side rails as well, the solid, continuous line flows well with the side profile. Knowing that it's even more stable as well makes it even better. I look forward to getting it on the truck, not only will it be extremely useful, I think that it's one of the best looking and most complimentary to the looks of the GX. Now I just have to sit here and wait, lol.

Are you running the wind fairing with yours? Im curious to know whether or not one is required or if the wind noise is bearable with it?!

 

[rex in bama]

Good to know. I have the ball end t-handle hex keys so I should be good there and they are long too. I liked the Backbone simply because it sits lower to the top of the roof than the standard three foot design and it sits nearly 1.5" lower than that of the Front Runner. I like the aesthetics of the Backbone side rails as well, the solid, continuous line flows well with the side profile. Knowing that it's even more stable as well makes it even better. I look forward to getting it on the truck, not only will it be extremely useful, I think that it's one of the best looking and most complimentary to the looks of the GX. Now I just have to sit here and wait, lol.

Are you running the wind fairing with yours? Im curious to know whether or not one is required or if the wind noise is bearable with it?!

No wind fairing. Noise is only an issue at freeway speeds if the sunroof shade is open. Closing it fully really cuts the noise - kinda surprised at how well it works.

 

[Tex68w]

No wind fairing. Noise is only an issue at freeway speeds if the sunroof shade is open. Closing it fully really cuts the noise - kinda surprised at how well it works.

Perfect! I'll try it without a fairing to start, that saves me $200 lol.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Nice looking rack you should be able to hide wiring when you mount lights.

 

[Tex68w]

Nice looking rack you should be able to hide wiring when you mount lights.

Yea that's the plan. The end caps actually have routing channels inside for that very application. I am excited to get it on, still waiting on the Backbone side rails at the moment.

 

[Tex68w]

Birthday Beach Bash for the misses yesterday. Saw this lifted Gen 1 Disco, I know they are riddled with issues that keep most any sane person away, but I will always be a fan. We ran across a nicely modded GX470 as well but I didn't have my phone in reach to snap a pic.

 

[r2m]

I agree with you about Land Rovers. There's just something about them that reeks of adventure harking back to the old Daktari TV series form 1966-1969.
The old narrow eyed Land Rovers were the epitome of adventure.
Maybe some day they'll be acquired by an Asian based entity (read: Toyota/Lexus, Hyundai) that will fix the reliability issues!

 

[Tex68w]

Cheap rain gutter guard window vents. I ran a set of these on my 4Runner as well, they are perfect for those who sleep inside of their vehicles. They allow a cross breeze in, exhaust venting out and thanks to the mesh they keep the little critters out as well. $4.74 in total for the two pieces and then trim to fit. Be sure to leave +/- 1/8" overhang, you'll want them slightly wider than the actual window opening to fit in the channel.

 

[FJCowboy]

Nice little DIY

 

[jmanscotch]

Nice. We rarely car camp but at $5 we might just copy you as that's perfect.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Cheap rain gutter guard window vents. I ran a set of these on my 4Runner as well, they are perfect for those who sleep inside of their vehicles. They allow a cross breeze in, exhaust venting out and thanks to the mesh they keep the little critters out as well. $4.74 in total for the two pieces and then trim to fit. Be sure to leave +/- 1/8" overhang, you'll want them slightly wider than the actual window opening to fit in the channel.

Could you paint them black without restricting the airflow? I will be steeling this mod.

 

[Tex68w]

Could you paint them black without restricting the airflow? I will be steeling this mod.

Yessir, a little krylon should do the trick so long as you don't get too close to the screen. They sell them in dark brown as well.

 

[r2m]

Cheap rain gutter guard window vents. I ran a set of these on my 4Runner as well, they are perfect for those who sleep inside of their vehicles. They allow a cross breeze in, exhaust venting out and thanks to the mesh they keep the little critters out as well. $4.74 in total for the two pieces and then trim to fit. Be sure to leave +/- 1/8" overhang, you'll want them slightly wider than the actual window opening to fit in the channel.

That's one of those great little "life-hacks" that people are always posting, some are cool and worth the time to do and some are just plain ridiculous. This is one of the great ones!

 

[r2m]

Wonder how many other hacks you could do with those gutter guards?
Maybe a spaghetti strainer? Show shoes? The possibilites could be endless!

 

[Tex68w]

Wonder how many other hacks you could do with those gutter guards?
Maybe a spaghetti strainer? Show shoes? The possibilites could be endless!

One could certainly strain pasta with it at camp in a pinch lol.

 

[r2m]

One could certainly strain pasta with it at camp in a pinch lol.

You're going to strain pasta, just be sure to pick off all the little critters first!

 

[Tex68w]

That evening the brand new Tacoma punched a hole in his oil pan. Get skid plates people and always be on the lookout for trees, limbs, and lumber when on the beach.