I want to add a Yakima rack to my 4Runner, but I have a bit of a dilemma. I don't know which towers to use to mount the thing. I have been to Yakima's site and it looks like my two options are the locking rail riders and Q-towers.

The locking rail riders seem to sit really low when installed in the stock rails and I hate the new style fairing. I would like to find an old style fairing (like Jason B's) on ebay or something, but I don't know which towers to use.

What do you guys have yours mounted with and how high are they? Also, how do the Q-towers attach up there? Pics would be very helpful if you have some. Thanks guys. Later.

Matt

 

Did somebody say pics?

Q Towers on a 2nd gen.
Your's will work the same way.
Two for the front doors, two for the rear doors.

My naked rack from long ago.

http://www.pnw4runners.net/tando/mod27.jpg

A loaded rack.

Parts list:
Q Towers

Cross bars

Then you just need to pick a basket.
I like the Load Warrior.
Besides mine, here are some other Load Warriors:
Todd

Todd

Todd

Tony

Mike

Need more

It's a great rack.

 

Corey, what do those Q-Towers attach to? I can't seem to picture how they are held on there. Also, how tall would you say the Q-towers are? Thanks.

Matt

 

My Yak rack came off my Jeep Cherokee I used to have. It used the Q towers that clipped onto the rain gutters above the doors. When I put it on the 4Runner, I modified the brackets on the Q towers to fit into the factory roof rack rails. If I didn't do this, I would have to get the locking rail riders you mentioned. I like the way mine turned out since the rack isn't as close to the roof as it would have been with the rail riders.



More pics on my site

 

Hey LSUMatt1514,
This is my Yaki w/the locking rail riders and Loadwarrior w/extension piece.
Compare the height of the Yaki rack to DREADS Con-Ferr rack. If you want a rack to sit low, his sits a good 4 inches lower than mine.
I have considered removing my Loadwarrior for trail runs because of all low lying limbs.

I have the old style fairing sitting in my garage. I haven't used in a while.

 

SMR,
I want one that will sit up higher, like yours. I want this Yakima basket (http://www.yakima.com/products/dynamic/8007012_6.html) to mount on it, but like I said, I would like mine to sit higher like yours instead of the low profile of the locking rail riders.

How are those Q-towers attached to your 4Runner? I know they somehow go in the rain gutter, but what holds them up there?
Can you keep the stock rack on there and have the Q-towers setup with 48" cross bars?

If that fairing is in good shape and will fit the 4Runner, I would be glad to take it off your hands. Thanks for the response.

Matt

 

I'll let my camera do the talkin'.

Vid one

Vid two

They will work better if you DL them, then view 'em.

Ran out of time on last vid.
The rubber gasket at the bottom of the Q Tower has constant pressure on it forcing it to hold against your roof.
With the cross bar setup, you can haul over 100 lb of gear up there.

If you already have the Toyota factory rails, the Load Warrior rack like pictured will sit even lower than is does with the cross bars.
Here's a pic of Todd's '97 sitting that way before he sold it to get his 1st gen.
Without rack on top, only the factory rails:
http://www.pnw4runners.net/tando/422fs73.htm
With Load Warrior on top now on factory rails:
http://www.pnw4runners.net/tando/todjam16.jpg

They are on there tight. I can grab my cross bars and shake the rig back & forth, and the Q Towers doen't move at all.
Corey

 

Corey,
Did you take those vids tonight? Regardless if you did or not, THANKS ALOT!! I definitely follow you now. That was great.

I would like to keep the stock rack and cross bars on there and have the 48" Yakima cross bars above the stock ones. Is this possible?

Thanks again for those vids. Is it just me, or will the older style fairing better reduce wind noise than that little one they sell now?

Matt

 

I took those vids when you asked the question.
Only takes a few seconds to shoot, then FTP them to my site.

If you have the factory strips like in the picture of Todd's old '97, all you would need is a basket.
The basket you looked at is called the "Basket Case," and is not the strongest one they carry.

The Load Warrior I linked to and the Mega Warrior are much beefier.
I also hear from BikeRunner that Yakima may be releasing their Hi-Lift and shovel holders soon for the racks.

If you have not seen my rack mods, click here to see how you can mod the rack to hold stuff.

I'm sure you could put the cross bars on still with those Rail Ryder things I think.
Give Yakima a call tomorrow.
They can answer you.

I don't run my fairling anymore. I do run a small $14 one called the Wind Jammer that can be seen in a few of my pics.
It breaks up the airflow thus quieting the rack down from wind noise.
It works!
Corey

 

I also have the basket case.
The old fairing is in good condition. Just to warn you that it will wear into your paint.

All of the stock stuff can be left on the rails. All you have to do is move them closer to each other.

I chose to remove all the stock stuff except the rails. The three rails that run across the roof were removed cause they left permanant marks on the paint.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Q-tower universal? The same one fits every car, but it is the Q-clips that are vehicle specific. Is that right?

In other words, all of the different styles of Q-clips fit the same Q-tower.

Whew....

Matt

 

Has anybody seen a longer roof rack on a 3rd gen runner?

My runner has the factory rack and a sunroof. I already have a 6' rack kinda like a conferr rack (from my old truck) and am thinking about mounting it using a combination of rail runners and the Q mounts. I know I would have to fab some brackets to get the rail runners to work with the Q towers.

What's the max rack width you'd recommend? Any potential problems with having the Q tower rack over the sunroof?