Roof Rack Question

Have used the search ad nauseam but have a few questions. Walked out of REI today (after speaking with guy at rack counter for a while) with a Whispbar system for my gen 2 (2014). Got home and realized I need a Fit Kit (which REI guy made no mention of). My questions:

-Is the Whispbar with fit kit a decent system such that I should just order the fit kit and move on with this? I don't really get what the difference between the fit kit and the Q towers is except it looks like the fit kit hooks on the door frame the the Q towers through the window?

- Would it be better to get the factory rails installed and just run Yakima cross bars?

-Is there a better option that actually uses the gutters with mounting feet? Yakima offers something that is supposed to fit in the gutters but an interweb search would indicate none of their gutter mounting feet work on 2nd gen tacomas without drilling new holes.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

I sold my thule rack and went with a baja rack. By the time you buy bars, feet, and the fit kit, you're already at baja rack price.

Much stronger, better looking, etc. etc.

http://www.bajarack.com/toyota-tacoma

 

Good looking roof rack - are there wide enough bars with enough space around them on the very front and back to mount pads and properly tie down a paddle board?

 

I put a 17' canoe on my baja rack. You should have plenty of room. It's longer and wider than you'd get with any of the other options.

 

I wanna put a rack on mine when it comes in
And am debating between these 2 any more thoughts would be appreciated
How's the wind noise?

 

I haven't decided on a cab rack set up yet but have Leer 100XR on order with factory installed Thule racks...I have the Thule towers, bars, and kayak components from my last Tacoma.

OP - I can't help with part numbers but I have seen guys use the Thule/Yakima system on the front cab...Hope someone can help you out.

Maybe find a rack installer in your city and talk to them?

 

I have the whispbar system on my 13. Its a great system. Looks awesome and is very quiet/aerodynamic. Gas mileage didn't take much of a hit, like it would have with the standard square bar systems. The whispbar fit kit (or the feet that hold it in place) are a very easy install and do no damage to the truck.

If you get the proper fit kit and bars for your truck it will be an easy, flawless install. Call Yakima directly if you have any fit questions and to make sure you have the proper part numbers.

I'll try to dig up some pictures later.

 

OP. If you stay with the Whisbars, don't use the door frame clips. Use the Smartfoot that attaches the towers to the factory rack mounting points. Cleaner and stronger. I don't have the Part#.

 

Sorry for the hijack btw

 

Are you dead set on a roof rack? If not a bed option is another way to go that can be removed within 2 mins

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Bed rack FTW!!!

 

Bed Rack!

 

Guys... it's gonna be hard to put a paddle board on a bed rack. It's gonna hang out a few feet.

 

Missed the paddle board post. Yeah... probably wouldn't work out too well.

 

Didn't notice that post either lol

 

A roof rack with a bed rack that is cab high might make for a nice combo. I saw a bedrack someone had made before that had a removable hoop to support a kayak/SUP. When they owner didn't need it, it was a nice low profile bedrack.

 

Update: going to call Yakima tomorrow! Went to a rack speciality store and they couldn't figure out what foot would mount it to the factory holes. Got the door bracket kit to try it out (K475 for Tacoma for anyone curious). It seems strong enough but it a pain in the as to mount. Hopefully Yakima can steer me in the right direction.

Greatly appreciate everyones help and advice.

 

There are no mounts for the factory holes for a Yakima or Thule. You were better off with the Thule stuff.

You should talk this guy into shipping you his rack:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ace/339896-2nd-gen-custom-roof-rack-sale.html

 

It's the Whisbar fit kit K451.

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/product-pdf/yakima-whispbar-fit-kit-451-instructions.pdf

It uses the mounting points for the factory rack.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^
That thing is sweet!