FRONT RUNNER SLIMLINE ROOF RACK's? PICs?

You can see the difference in the 60mm foot installed vs the 40mm one next to it.

 

I had not had the issue of it slipping with the 40mm feet mounted in the same position. But, yes, I do tend to tighten down very hard to ensure they stay in the place I want them.

I have had a +300# load and 2 200# men up there at the same time jumping around without any slippage on the rack or feet position changing.

If it becomes an issue. I have another set of the nuts and bolts. I would, at that point, just drill an anchoring hole through all of the feet and mount a secondary bolt to lock them in position.

 

So the 60mm feet are just about even with the other roof rack. Good to know!

 

Yep. Gives clearance for the under the rack mounts also - one of the folding tables, solar panels or anything else can be put under there suspended from the rack using the Frontrunner mounts or fabing up some rails yourself.

 

I have been asked in private about the FrontRunners by various people and this is the response I gave to one person. If they wsh to make themselves known, well, thats on them. I did this in a manner as to keep their Identity private since we were exchanging PM's (PRIVATE Messages)

I like the look and functionality of the frontrunner.

Heres why I like them

1. SLIM with a Baja style to it since the lips are raised an inch or two

2. Light - since it is Aluminum

3. Since it is slim, less wind resistance. I do not here the wind noise from it in the cab

4. As far as the RTT goes. I like that even the rails have mounting slots for M8 hardware/ Meaning you could take all the hardware to mount the RTT and not even open it for the most part. Grab some M8 hardware and slide it into the slats, move it into position, and tighten her down. REMOVAL and putting it back up there (storage or use) is easier too. Remove the two endcaps for the rack, loosen (not remove) the hardware for the RTT and slide the whole module out (or in).

5. slats with hardware holes. Nice to be able to just go to HomeDepot/ hardware store - and be able to pickup ANY M8 x1.25 threads and know I will be able to install whatever I design ow want to secure. BOLTED TO THE RACK! Which leads to the next thing ->

6. Since it is BOLTED TO THE VEHICLE/ RACK -> Insurance will cover it, well, mine does according to my agent I spoke to. We read all the fine print and similar to a stereo system. As long it is BOLTED TO THE VEHICLE.

7. Most people do not even notice my rack when there is nothing up there.

8. Platform - I sit on my fuel up there and use my hardcases as a table to eat lunch and other meals when I am out and about. I tried to sit in the basket of a buddies vehicle. he had a Yakima Mega Warrior, and I bent one of the cylindrical bars. Really freaked me out.

9. Modular. - Already I have decided I want a couple more slats for the front rack. Being it is all bolt together, I can just unscrew a couple bolts and slide things around<- basically that easy, little More to it if the feet are attached to the slat I want to move. you get the idea though

10. Wire management - Yeah, they do not list that anywhere and people probably have not even thought of it. - Since there are slats, I am using some of the M8 hardware and basically hose clamps (it will be a little more innovative than that, either a hardware style clamp or similar) to run the wiring from the 7 Light bars I plan to wire up there under the rack.

11. Light bars -- The rack is about the same thickness as a light bar, SO the front will have a rigid 50" E2 mounted FLUSH to it. It will petrude since the width of the rack is only ~46" but should not be an issue. 40" would be a perfect match, I just want to try the sizing. On the sides on the back rack, UNDERNEATH between the front 2 sets of feet, I am putting an SR2 20" on either side. On the rear of the back rack underneath, 2 SR2 6" bars. then to top it off, Underneath the back of the front rack, a D2 on either side right on the corners with a swivel Mount I am going to install to make them adjustable on the fly.

12. Having mounting space UNDERNEATH the rack is a huge advantage to me. Thats normally a dead space for most racks. I do have a solar power system planned, that area would be perfect to mount and store a panel or two. Even if I don't end up bringing panels, that area is where I could store a fold up table or many other things. I could fab a custom mount for my Fishing Poles to tuck under there and secure them. Being it is under the rack, UV is not as big a factor.

13. Customer service. _ I like to be able to reach out and email, or call and actually get a person to talk to. Steve is an invaluable asset to that team over there. Great imagination and problem solver. I toss an idea at him and he responds even if it is hairbrained, seems like he tells it like it is. When they say they are delivering on something they always follow through. Great example on a $15 part. I needed the proper spouts for the Black gas cans. The USA spouts do not work on them. Told him, and between him, a lady in South Africa From FrontRunner, and I -> We got the spigots to me in a timely fashion quite literally from half way around the world. Price did not change when they got to me either.

14. WONT RUST* 98% of the rack system is Aluminum - you want a hole in a place to mount something on the sides or elsewhere? DRILL IT. Make that hole Won't rust. Can't.

15.. Boils down to this _-> It is what works for me. It is not for everyone. But it works for me.

I too was looking at the WING style awnings. Would be a nice addition to the rack system. The places we go on the coast are chocked full of mosquitos though. So I might have to look at an option with the bug net attachment.

 

Thought I dropped these here already.

 

FYI people. If you went with Yakima. The bars and Q-Towers for the front of the truck over the cab will run you ~$350 plus a Mega Warrior Basket @ ~$380 = ~$730 + Shipping? vs the ~$789+ Free shipping from FrontRunner.

Would be similar in pricing for over a camper top with rails from Yakima too.

 

I'd be interested in mounting one as a bed rack. Thanks for the info on the company. I might see what I can do with that.

 

They sell different WIDTH racks/ systems too. Bet there is a feet setup from someone or possibly even them, that would suspend it nicely in the back.

 

Thanks to Skygear and our ongoing conversations about the frontrunner racks I really think this system trumps my previous bajarack and my plans for future bajarack utility racks like XOverland has on their rig.

The modularity and overall function is leaps and bounds ahead of other offerings and for my purposes as a purpose built expo rig it offers all of the mounts and attachments I need for a RTT, Awnings, Tables, Solar Panels and Maxxtrax.

Not to mention that it seamlessly attaches to Yakima tracks that are being installed on my new A.R.E CX shell.

 

With all the gear I use and recommend publicly and in private, on boards and in real life, to bad I am not getting kickbacks. Maybe I should just do a website and sell gear myself. I feel I tend to have a realistic expectation on things. Seems people trust my opinion on things too. I should capitalize on that.

Advice is free, someone else gets paid for the product. I could bring all that under one roof...

 

Good stuff

 

Thank you for the info on these roof racks, This defininitely looks interesting. Could these racks be installed on an access cab ? I also have a camper top and I could intstall the rack the full length on the camper top and truck. I have a slightly different purpose for using the racks, I think this rack would be strong enough to mount my amateur radio antennas and provide a good install application for them. Thanks.

 

One of the All-Pro access cab trucks has a front runner roof rack but I haven't seen one on a reg cab.

 

Neither have I. They are receptive as a company. AllPro made a custom one. Front runner will be releasing the acess cab version soon from what I had been reading

 

Look at my install. Dual racks

 

so any chances of a GB on these or did that idea fall through?

 

I'd be seriously interested in this as well. In the market for some more storage.

 

yea. There was not enough interested and the 3rd party vendors didn't get on board. Get 10 people and approach them again and see if they will take it. I would jump in again for a couple accessories.

 

Deos anyone know if Front Runner will sell only the feet??