**CLOSED**Front Runner Racks 2.0 - Group Buy**

For those who have installed, my wind deflector hardware bag came with two adhesive rubber pads. Anyone know where these get installed?

OA

 

Same here. ?????????

 

Phew! I just finished install and have a few notes. I'll post pics a bit later when I can get some decent ones.

• @Kyitty hit the nail on the head for a few points. The bolt heads were inconsistently 4mm and 5mm. I'm guessing this happens when they add the black coating on to their aluminum hardware.
• My instructions stated put in a bolt before the wind deflector - which were correct; but it's an easy section to miss in the instructions.
• The "combined slats" were never going to fit into my side rails. I don't know if things twisted or got bent in shipping, but the clearance just wasn't there. This lead to the lube and hammer method (I know what I said). Inevitably, certain ends bulged out but the thing got put together.
• The front 4 M6 bolts (two on each side) that bolt to the actual roof were not long enough to get thread engagement with everything attached. This irritated the shit out of me for awhile before I punted on the spring washer and opted for loctite.
• The middle roof mount points definitely are going to do a number on my paint.
• I'm praying I got enough silicone on the bolts (especially after trying a thousand times on the front 4 before removing the spring washer). If it leaks at least I'll have an opportunity to better pad the roof from the middle attachment point.

OA

 

I had similar problems as above regarding the rack + the last endcap that wouldnt align no matter the corner so the bolt went in at an angle. I have an fj and there were some crappy angles for bolting to the roof and the rack. I would like torque values - hoping I did not go to tight on the roof!

I think the rubber pads may be if the fairing touches your roof?

All that said- great rack!

 

It goes on the back side of the deflectors to stop whistling noise, etc.

 

interesting. is there a particular spot to put them in?

great advice from the folks having finished the install. got the rack put together but it's been off and on raining so I haven't wanted to mess with the silicone yet on the mounts. so... I spent all day Saturday putting on new cv axles and LCAs. hopefully it will dry up a bit and I can get this thing up and finished

 

I have a 22mm hole punch for sale/to borrow for anyone who's yet to do their install - PM me!

Some installed photos:





And one of the offending front corners (both were f***ed):


OA

 

Started to assemble my rack today. Things were going great till I started to install the M8 button head bolts. Couldn't get my Allen wrench into the head of the bolt. Here's why. About half a dozen bolts are crap. Anyone else having this issue. Shouldn't have this on a rack that costs a grand.

 

Love the rack, though.

 

Several of us had this issue.

 

Really sucks. I'm gonna replace them. Anyone tell Front Runner?

 

ill make sure to pick some up and have them for my installation

 

Do that for sure, brought my assembly to a screeching halt.

 

I had the issue but not enough to stop install; I just had to constantly reseat the hex key.

The bigger issues for me was the combined slat not fitting into the side rail and the lack of thread engagement on the M6 bolts for the roof.

OA

 

I couldn't get the hex key into a couple of bolts at all.

 

Yeah your bolt heads looked f***ed.

OA

 

I had to reseat the wrench many times as well. It was annoying.

As for the combined slat... I used a rubber mallet.

 

The slats fit together easily, the corners, on the other hand, had to be slightly "persuaded".

 

I installed mine on Friday (5'th Gen T4R) - this is one thing about the Front Runner racks that seriously surprised me. With the wind deflector fins together in the center of the rack, there is pretty much zero noise. Took the truck up to 85mph, and even with a cross-wind it was silent (or at least quiet enough than the tire noise drowned it out if there was any).

And a note about the vendor; he is an absolutely awesome person to deal with. I can't say that enough...I had a screw-up with my order that was 100% my fault and he went way above and beyond to help out. Definitely solid!

 

Definitely agree here. Did you get full length or just into the factory spots?

I have a 3rd gen taco and a moonroof; with it closed and the ceiling visor thingy shut, the noise is minimal. I was concerned after reading the last group buy that a lot of folks had whistling. I have none - even in absurd cross winds.

I won't say there's no noise - just sounds like I'm holding my arm out the window and the associated wind noise with that.

OA