Simple Roof Rack and Crossbars

This is my first post on this forum. I have my 4th gen Off-Road for less than a week, and I am looking for a simple roof rack with crossbars that could mount to the pre-drilled holes in the track on the roof. The rack shops so far have been clueless about the 2024 models, and I have been told repeatedly that the four mounting spots in the roof "tracks" are useless even though they have access plugs and pre-drilled holes. Ideally, I'd prefer a Yakima or Thule set. Ideas?

 

Hello,
I just took off the Toyota roof rack on my 24 TRD Off Road and I've been thinking about selling it. Took it off so my topper/camper will fit. I am also removing the ARB Sport Bar.

 

That's more than I am looking for, but may be interested if you do sell. I live in Seattle, so I imagine shipping might be prohibitive you're not close.

 

Nobody's making one yet. Closest thing is the Thule and Yakima clamp on style. But, I have no doubt somebody will make something soon for those of us that don't want the huge roof racks.

 

Thanks, @Bluznvice. I'm in no rush, but have been a bit disappointed that it is taking so long for the after market guys to catch up!

 

In my opinion, the best thing to do is buy the a la carte mounting feet for the 4th gen Tacoma rack (I believe it’s the Ranier?) from Sherpa equipment co, then buy extrusion crossbars and mount those to them. Simple, strong, mounts to OEM roof holes.

https://sherpaec.com/products/mounting-feet?variant=45938754388223

 

That's exactly what I'm looking for, @JdevTrac. I'll check out out! Thx

 

The Yakima Skyline with landing Pad 24 will work on the 24 just need shorter bolts.

 

I’v been thinking of getting a large block of plastic, shape it to fit in the channel with 2 holes matching the factory holes and use it as a spacer between the truck and roof rack. Then get any cheap roof rack and also drill 2 holes in the feet and bolt them on.

A rack in this style

 

here are the yakima parts

 

I thought about that, but the Skyline towers plus Yakima crossbars comes in at around 600 bucks. The DIY Sherpa parts - including crossbars - cost half that.

 

The Sherpa feet make an outstanding set up. I have them on the topper of my 3rd gen. So simple.

It blows my mind how complicated some of these other companies think they need to make their mounting feet. Most of them have way too many unnecessary parts and way too much added height.

i’ve had several racks on top of several different vehicles and the Sherpa mounting feet with some aluminum t-slot extrusions are the absolute best, simplest, rock-solid load bars I’ve ever used with just as many mounting possibilities as any other set up

 

They are definitely fantastic, ran em on the GX470 I had and was able to run em as just simple bars or optionally I built out a full diy extrusion rack off them when needed. Plus I really like their rubber base designs with bolt spacers. Well thought out system.

Sherpa is one of the only extrusion rack companies that sells just their mounting feet. Others either incorporate them into the rack side rails, or simply want you to spend way more money on an entire rack setup and refuse to sell components.

 

Well, I took the advice of @JdevTac and @chuychanga, and couldn't be happier! Sherpa's engineering of seemingly simple parts (like the Rainier towers) and impeccable fit with the 4th Gen Taco are extraordinary. And the cost was about half of what a complicated Yakima system would have cost.

 

What length bar are those?

 

55" crossbar length

 

Did you order the end caps from Sherpa? I don't see them on the site.

 

No, I made them myself out of some scrap "ACM" (aluminum composite material) that I had laying around. I think it was originally developed for exterior signage. If you're interested, make a visit to a local sign shop and see if they have any scraps. It cuts easily on a table saw or chip saw. And it is absolutely weather-resistant.

 

I took the advice from one of you on this thread and built a crossbar attached to a trailer hitch that is aligned with my Sherpa bars attached to my cab. I used a standard hold down that is a common piece of hardware used in wood framing and attached it directly to the trailer hitch.

i really like where I ended up with this set up. I have a permanent set of crossbars on my cab that will be used often, but I now have the ability to extend length of my rack system for things like long lumber or canoes/paddle boards, etc. And I avoid the permanent rack system above my truck bed.

if I was still in the construction business, this set up would have been inadequate. But nine months into retirement, I get to change the rules!

 

Nice. Few questions: What is the spacing between the bars? Did you happen to look at any aero style crossbars? Looks like you cut the plastic channel filler piece to fit. How did that go?