Alright guys, the madness continues!! My girlfriend is getting me a new bike for Christmas, plus I have to add mods to the 4Runner, right? I would like to get ya'lls opinion on the two options I am considering.

1. This roof rack

http://www.urbanjunglesuv.com/surco_...roof_racks.htm

with a trailer hitch mounted bike carrier.

2. Yakima Rack

I am not wild about the new Yakima racks because I don't like the way the locking rail riders look (I don't think they sit up high enough) and I don't think the new fairing looks as good as the old one, but I figure you guys could lend me your opinion. Later.

Matt

 

Sounds like you already made up your mind

 

Here is an old shot of my Runner with my Load Warrior yak rack, and my mountain bike.

Well, forget that. I have a pic somewhere online up at Mount Rainier with the mt. bike on my rack with the Yakima Lock Jaw bike holder.

Don't have time to did it up now, but I have ran that same Lock Jaw on 3 Toy's now since '88.

Only on the Runner though has it sat next to the Laod Warrior on the roof.

If I find a pic later, I'll post it here.

PS, found it.
http://www.toyotaoffroad.net/tando/y...ke_rainier.jpg

Your bike is safer on the roof.
Out back it can get chiped up a lot easier.

 

I like the look of that urban rack, but I also love the look of the Yak racks. I think they look awesome on the 4Runner!! Like I mentioned, if I get a Yakima rack I would like it to sit up high. I think Jason B modified his Q towers to fit onto the stock rails (if you're listening Jason, shoot me an email about how you did it). I think Jason's looks so much better than the locking rail riders. If at all possible, I would like to have the best of both worlds. Utilize the stock rails and have it sit up nice and high. Thoughts? Later.

Matt

 

Ahhhhh so that is what snow looks like


Mike

 

i voted for the yakima rack. perhaps i'm a little biased though, as i JUST finished putting on my new yakima roof rack, and it looks good.

 

I voted for the roof top rack. I have never been a fan of the hitch mount, just because it seems to be safer on top.

Once I get my wife a mountain bike, i need to buy one of those.

 

Calrockx,
What Yakima setup did you go with?

Matt

 

i had the facory rack, so i got the setup that fits in the existing rails...which is the Locking Railrider 1 (there's also 2 and 3, but 1 is the one that fits in 4runners). I got the 48 inch crossbars, and also a fairing and some lock cores. check it out at yakima.com. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get my digital camera, which should be in a day or two.

 

Just installed the yakima, Very Nice!! It is very versatile, from mountian bikes, kayaks, to skis and boards, and the very nice load warrior roof rack!! Just my .02
whatever you put on the 4runner, it will look good, 4runners don't look bad!!

 

Ummm yeah! unless you forget its on the roof and try to go into the garage! it doesnt work like that!!:pat: what kind of bike will you be getting, and btw, the bike rack on top is great. much betta.

 

Unless your verticaly challenged I'd say go with the Yakima. I love mine. My mother rides 4 times a week and she has one for the rear, but the only reason is because she doesn't really want to lift her bike on to the roof all the time. I too would be interested in how to change the Qtowers to fit into the stock rails. I have my yak crossbars left over from when I had my volvo and I broke my rear stock cross bar and finally have a reason to change to the Yaks. I don't know about the height issue. Yeah, its harder to clean when its lower, but it would be less of an air obstruction (yeah... like 4 hellas aren't) but since I have the Qtowers already I guess I'd rather convert them. Jason?