My next FJC mod, rear ladder

***Corey*** · 01-23-2009, 07:30 AM

Still to cold and rainy to dig more into my ham radio setup.
I need warmer and dry weather for that.

However there is a new rear ladder coming on the market made by BajaRacks that makes a mean rack for the FJ Cruiser.

I was not so keen on any type of ladder when I first saw the Gobi's, but now having a roof top tent I want one.
My tent gets very groady on top from the tree I park under at home and at work, plus natural fall out.

With my 4' ladder I use at home to wash the top of my rig with, it is still hard to reach the top of the tent with a long handled brush.

With the rear ladder on the rig I will be able to climb up much higher and use the brush to a better advantage to clean the tents roof.

http://www.bajarack.com/zoomAcces2.html

Huge picture

I am in on a group buy on these, and they should be ready to ship in a few weeks.

Do drilling to install these, just like the Gobi one.
The only thing is you can not open your rear window very far, but I never open it anyways.
If Toyota had made the rear window slide down like all of the gens of the 4Runner, I would open it once in awhile in warmer weather.

I will update my homepage and buildup thread here with the pics after I install it.

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scuba · 01-23-2009, 11:12 AM

Sweet find, Looks nice...

***Corey*** · 02-11-2009, 11:00 AM

Thanks Scuba.
Ladder will arrive Thursday.
I will try to install it before the weekend and put up a few pics here and in my buildup thread.

And hopefully I will get a chance to wash the rig at the coin op and try the ladder out to do the roof top tent.

***Corey*** · 02-12-2009, 04:33 PM

Ladder came.
I saw, I like.

I have to turn in soon, I must be at work at 2 am Friday morning, going in three hours early, or I would install it right now.

I want to take my time and not rush the installation.
Will try to install it Friday afternoon and post pics.

I do have a pic here though of it out of the carton.

After the install I will update this thread and my buildup thread.

lgrt · 02-12-2009, 11:07 PM

looking forward to hearing how it goes.

scuba · 02-13-2009, 12:04 AM

Looks like you have to drill so yeah like you said prolly a good idea to take your time, I think itll round off the exterior appearance of your rig...

***Corey*** · 02-13-2009, 12:56 AM

No drilling at all.
I would never buy a ladder that I had to drill into the rig.

Will let you guy's know how it goes.

scuba · 02-13-2009, 01:03 AM

Oh, My bad, It looked as such. Speaking of fj cruisers, I saw a drop top one today driving past me, I almost wrecked. /thread jack.

***Corey*** · 02-14-2009, 11:29 AM

Well as luck would have it, the ladders are not fitting.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...fj-ladder.html

Big thread there.
Either ladder needs to be extended, or the bottom bracket that holds the ladder against the door needs to be extended up so it will enclose the bottom of the ladder.

I vote to extend the ladder a tad longer.

So far out of the five of us who got these, most are having this issue.
They will be shipping us new setups later this month.
Was really counting on this so I could climb up there Sunday at the coin op and clean my tent roof.
I have a farm growing up there.

Belize Off Road Team · 02-14-2009, 01:52 PM

I wish they made a ladder mod for 2nd gen 4Runners. Good luck with getting yours mounted the way you want it Corey.

scuba · 02-14-2009, 02:40 PM

Dang corey that lame news..Are you getting anything free

?

***Corey*** · 02-14-2009, 04:27 PM

Thanks Phyl.

Scuba, they will send out either a replacement ladder that is longer, or a new base clamp, all for free.

This should have been tested more, I guess us five are kind of like the beta testers for it.
I am not happy when I spend hard earned cash and something does not work right.

bigt · 02-14-2009, 04:38 PM

yeah your rig does look like it needs a cleaning maybe you could bring a step lader just so you could clean it...it will be worth it when you have a really nice fitting and functional ladder.. sometimes first run products need tweaking, even though if they tested it on even one fj they would see it wasnt right..
cant wait to see the new ladder!

scuba · 02-14-2009, 09:02 PM

Yeah id imagine corey, Id have asked for some of my money back..or something..but glad to hear they are being kool aboot it..

***Corey*** · 02-15-2009, 09:17 AM

Have not heard back yet from the vendor on how they will attack this, but I think the bracket just needs to be extended higher as seen below.

OK, another sunny but cold morning at 32 degrees

I wanted to attack this again, then have a neighbor help "pull" the ladder down some.

It barely even went into the bottom bracket on the side closest to the spare tire.
My neighbor even helped pull the ladder down some to see if I could force it into the bottom bracket lip, there is simply not enough lip sticking up to do that with the bracket.

Here is a picture of the bottom clamp bracket with an arrow pointing to the vertical piece.
I think in my case I would just need that vertical section extended about 1/2" to 3/4" higher so it can have the blade of the ladder go in behind it.

I am going to leave the ladder on for now.
I was able to pull it away from the door of course since it was not anchored at the bottom.
However with the spare tire in place it is holding it quite solid.
Let me tell you, it is not an easy chore hefting up a 285 mud tire

Here are a few other pics showing the ladder.

lgrt · 02-15-2009, 11:40 AM

that is too bad... let us know how they treat you and fix this thing.

scuba · 02-15-2009, 01:50 PM

So corey...you say you wanna use the ladder to clean the top o tent. Would it be that hard to grab at the rack and climb on the bumper...? Really just wondering..

***Corey*** · 02-15-2009, 02:53 PM

Climbing up on the bumper is not high enough.
The tent is 8' high.
I can stand on the top rung or the one under it and use a long handled brush I have to clean the tent top.

With the brush I have it is long enough for me to reach from the rear to the front.

scuba · 02-15-2009, 03:08 PM

mmkk, Well functionality rules !!

***Corey*** · 02-15-2009, 03:37 PM

Yep, the ladder is defiantly not for show.

bigt · 02-15-2009, 03:42 PM

you drive a toyota!! nothing should be for show...

***Corey*** · 02-16-2009, 02:51 PM

I heard from the owner of BajaRack today.
The bottom bracket will be extended to encase the bottom blade of the ladder.

They are in the works, and will be shipping probably by next week.

***Corey*** · 02-17-2009, 04:18 PM

Update on why there was a snafu with the bracket(s)

Quote:

Summary,

After reviewing all of the assembly fixtures and Q.C reports from the first built we found an issue with the top bracket, the reason we did not catch the problem was due to the fact that in my vehicle we left a top bracket that was the first prototype, this bracket did not have an alignment issue as the ones that where produce. We are going to replace all top and bottom clamps and speaking of the bottom clamp we added 0.75” to the lip to have a more secure fitting.
The replacements will ship next Monday 2-23-09.

Thank you all for your patience in resolving this issue, I have receive several e-mails with very constructive suggestions that we have incorporated on the new clamps.

***Corey*** · 02-28-2009, 10:02 AM

Ladder reinstalled today.
http://www.yotatech.com/f135/fj-crui...l#post51073762

lgrt · 03-01-2009, 09:12 AM

looks good... thx for all the pictures. glad it all got worked out.

01-23-2009, 11:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Temecula, Or on the rocks Posts: 6,968	Sweet find, Looks nice... __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

02-11-2009, 11:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Thanks Scuba. Ladder will arrive Thursday. I will try to install it before the weekend and put up a few pics here and in my buildup thread. And hopefully I will get a chance to wash the rig at the coin op and try the ladder out to do the roof top tent. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-12-2009, 04:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Ladder came. I saw, I like. I have to turn in soon, I must be at work at 2 am Friday morning, going in three hours early, or I would install it right now. I want to take my time and not rush the installation. Will try to install it Friday afternoon and post pics. I do have a pic here though of it out of the carton. After the install I will update this thread and my buildup thread. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-12-2009, 11:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
lgrt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 89	looking forward to hearing how it goes. __________________ lgrt Mods: a change in attitude, Baja Design Lights, lots of Metal Tech stuff along with bits and peices 4x4 Adventure Blog: Stories, pictures and videos of my rig along with the odd rant and rave

02-13-2009, 12:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Temecula, Or on the rocks Posts: 6,968	Looks like you have to drill so yeah like you said prolly a good idea to take your time, I think itll round off the exterior appearance of your rig... __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

02-13-2009, 12:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	No drilling at all. I would never buy a ladder that I had to drill into the rig. Will let you guy's know how it goes. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-13-2009, 01:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Temecula, Or on the rocks Posts: 6,968	Oh, My bad, It looked as such. Speaking of fj cruisers, I saw a drop top one today driving past me, I almost wrecked. /thread jack. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

02-14-2009, 11:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Well as luck would have it, the ladders are not fitting. http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...fj-ladder.html Big thread there. Either ladder needs to be extended, or the bottom bracket that holds the ladder against the door needs to be extended up so it will enclose the bottom of the ladder. I vote to extend the ladder a tad longer. So far out of the five of us who got these, most are having this issue. They will be shipping us new setups later this month. Was really counting on this so I could climb up there Sunday at the coin op and clean my tent roof. I have a farm growing up there. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-14-2009, 01:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Belize Off Road Team Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corozal Town, Belize Posts: 2,752	I wish they made a ladder mod for 2nd gen 4Runners. Good luck with getting yours mounted the way you want it Corey. __________________ -Phyl 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G Petrol 3.0L V6 200,000kms l Rancho RS5000 l 31"x10.50"xR15 Pro Comp Xterrain l K&N Air Filter l PP 1" Lift Coil Springs l Optima Blue Top l 12" JBL Subs l Alpine Type R l 80/100W Hella H4 l 1st Gen Roll Bar Mod l FT/RR Diff. Breathers l Smittybilt XRC8 Winch l ARB Bull Bar l トヨタ\|NEVER QUIT

02-14-2009, 02:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Temecula, Or on the rocks Posts: 6,968	Dang corey that lame news..Are you getting anything free ? __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

02-14-2009, 04:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Thanks Phyl. Scuba, they will send out either a replacement ladder that is longer, or a new base clamp, all for free. This should have been tested more, I guess us five are kind of like the beta testers for it. I am not happy when I spend hard earned cash and something does not work right. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-14-2009, 04:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
bigt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario Posts: 3,201	yeah your rig does look like it needs a cleaning maybe you could bring a step lader just so you could clean it...it will be worth it when you have a really nice fitting and functional ladder.. sometimes first run products need tweaking, even though if they tested it on even one fj they would see it wasnt right.. cant wait to see the new ladder! __________________ 1991 HILUX SURF SSR-X turbo diesel right hand drive toyota imported in 2005 from japan, 130,000 km 31 bfg a/t auto current build 1987 LWB suzuki samurai. turning 2 into one.. yota axles welded front to back, yota springs , ifs steering box,, this bad boy will not only eat jeeps but toyotas aswell \m/

02-14-2009, 09:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Temecula, Or on the rocks Posts: 6,968	Yeah id imagine corey, Id have asked for some of my money back..or something..but glad to hear they are being kool aboot it.. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

02-15-2009, 09:17 AM	#15 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Have not heard back yet from the vendor on how they will attack this, but I think the bracket just needs to be extended higher as seen below. OK, another sunny but cold morning at 32 degrees I wanted to attack this again, then have a neighbor help "pull" the ladder down some. It barely even went into the bottom bracket on the side closest to the spare tire. My neighbor even helped pull the ladder down some to see if I could force it into the bottom bracket lip, there is simply not enough lip sticking up to do that with the bracket. Here is a picture of the bottom clamp bracket with an arrow pointing to the vertical piece. I think in my case I would just need that vertical section extended about 1/2" to 3/4" higher so it can have the blade of the ladder go in behind it. I am going to leave the ladder on for now. I was able to pull it away from the door of course since it was not anchored at the bottom. However with the spare tire in place it is holding it quite solid. Let me tell you, it is not an easy chore hefting up a 285 mud tire Here are a few other pics showing the ladder. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-15-2009, 11:40 AM	#16 (permalink)
lgrt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 89	that is too bad... let us know how they treat you and fix this thing. __________________ lgrt Mods: a change in attitude, Baja Design Lights, lots of Metal Tech stuff along with bits and peices 4x4 Adventure Blog: Stories, pictures and videos of my rig along with the odd rant and rave

02-15-2009, 01:50 PM	#17 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Temecula, Or on the rocks Posts: 6,968	So corey...you say you wanna use the ladder to clean the top o tent. Would it be that hard to grab at the rack and climb on the bumper...? Really just wondering.. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

02-15-2009, 02:53 PM	#18 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Climbing up on the bumper is not high enough. The tent is 8' high. I can stand on the top rung or the one under it and use a long handled brush I have to clean the tent top. With the brush I have it is long enough for me to reach from the rear to the front. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-15-2009, 03:08 PM	#19 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Temecula, Or on the rocks Posts: 6,968	mmkk, Well functionality rules !! __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

02-15-2009, 03:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Yep, the ladder is defiantly not for show. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-15-2009, 03:42 PM	#21 (permalink)
bigt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario Posts: 3,201	you drive a toyota!! nothing should be for show... __________________ 1991 HILUX SURF SSR-X turbo diesel right hand drive toyota imported in 2005 from japan, 130,000 km 31 bfg a/t auto current build 1987 LWB suzuki samurai. turning 2 into one.. yota axles welded front to back, yota springs , ifs steering box,, this bad boy will not only eat jeeps but toyotas aswell \m/

02-16-2009, 02:51 PM	#22 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	I heard from the owner of BajaRack today. The bottom bracket will be extended to encase the bottom blade of the ladder. They are in the works, and will be shipping probably by next week. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-28-2009, 10:02 AM	#24 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Ladder reinstalled today. http://www.yotatech.com/f135/fj-crui...l#post51073762 __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

03-01-2009, 09:12 AM	#25 (permalink)
lgrt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 89	looks good... thx for all the pictures. glad it all got worked out. __________________ lgrt Mods: a change in attitude, Baja Design Lights, lots of Metal Tech stuff along with bits and peices 4x4 Adventure Blog: Stories, pictures and videos of my rig along with the odd rant and rave

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