Im two years late here, but you touched on some very important points in regards to load. Im researching roof racks for my 4Runner and its very important to look at the feet too as they will be subjected to all kinds of shear forces when going over challenging terrain. The racks also need to be able to flex with your roof. Great info sir.
Thank you buddy. So the roof load rating on the ranger is a measley 80kg! The roof rails are bolted in through the roof. They are pretty easy to remove.
It’s worth mention how under engineered are front runner racks. Not capable of carrying heavy awnings or other heavy duty tasks. So many cases with cracked frame around the world. Also I had roof top tent fixed with front runner accessories. Bars flex and squeeze all the times go off road. It’s nice gimmick rack with all accessories but not really strong. PS just for comparison one aluminum bar from front runner is around 1kg when competitors 3-4kg - it shows how much they reduced cross section and strength in the same time. One more advise - don’t go with this rack if you are going to use with hard shell tent … it will block access to all accessories. It’s nice rack for light use to install a lot of small light, brackets and some cargo on the top. And I don’t know why it’s called slim … it’s one of the highest structure on market !!!
It seems like you’ve had a bad experience with one. I’ve not heard of any cracked racks from anyone that I’ve wheeled with? You mentioned Frontrunner being lighter than their competitors, isn’t this the aim of the game to be light but also strong. Don’t forget that every vehicle has a both on road and off-road roof rating and the heavier the rack the less you can physically carry on it. No rack is going to be perfect in any way either. I’ve always liked the look and functionality of these racks compared to others. They are extremely modular and can adapt to a variety of different designs. Not many other competitors can claim this
Great video and thanks for the info. With the backbone system (with table cut out) you have on the cab, what it the increase in height from the crown of the vehicle? (Increase from standard height with no roof rack) thanks!
Thanks for the awesome vid! Quick question if you have the measurements handy. How deep is the lip of the side rails to the cross/load bars? I’ve ordered the rack and now trying to figure out if my bike racks will fit (they are longer than the rack by 2” so I’ll probably have to rig up some kind of spacers
Nice review mate ! Quick question though : How do you compare the front runner slim line 2 with ARB’s Base Rack? I am looking at the two at the moment and I need some help to decide which option suits me best. I have a Defender 90.
Thank you I really appreciate the feedback. That’s a great question! Let’s make no mistake that ARB has a very good reputation for off-road products. From what I’ve seen of the ARB base rack it has some really good features being very low profile and strong, however the frontrunner racks have an incredible reputation especially that roof racks are their specialty and their main focus. Their line up of attachments and accessories is brilliant and the fact that their racks are modular goes to show the level of detail they go into regarding design and function. They are so easy to adjust and attach new kit to making life so much simpler. I sound like a salesman! Haha seriously though I hold the Frontrunner racks in very high regards and would recommend them to anyone.
Question: i am considering on getting this specific rack for my truck and i want to add led lights similarly to how you have it on the front, except i am adding flush mount lights and the regular mount lights… will there be any issues or is it basically just drill a hole through it? Also did you have any issues mounting your lights?
I haven’t drilled my rack, all mountings use the existing fixing points. I’ve seen people drill their racks to mount lights and other accessories with no issues. I wouldn’t say I had issues as I did a lot of planning but was tricky in places but got the look I wanted
Worlds best roofrack......your personal opinion or statistically proven? Surely a welded roofrack is stronger than a screwed one? Are lateral slats better than horizontal slats? Apart from the bolt-on goodies, do you think its better manufactured than ,maybe a Big Country 4x4 rack (which i'm sure you have heard of!)
It’s my personal opinion Ofcourse. I’ve not experienced nor anyone running a front runner that I know of had issues with the bolt system the rack uses. The modular aspect of the rack makes it incredibly customisable, say for instance you had a sun roof that was being blocked by the rack. You could move the slats in either direction to allow for this or to strengthen it even further you are able to add additional slats to your liking in a multitude of different configurations. I unfortunately haven’t heard of Big country 4x4 racks as they are based in South Africa and I live in the U.K. I don’t doubt there are far stronger welded racks out there but I highly recommend the Frontrunner system due to its modular capabilities, accessory range and access to spares across Europe and major parts of the world.
You sound as if you work for Front Runner. You have not mentioned any other competitors, why not? Surely you would compare and contrast with other products?
Im two years late here, but you touched on some very important points in regards to load. Im researching roof racks for my 4Runner and its very important to look at the feet too as they will be subjected to all kinds of shear forces when going over challenging terrain. The racks also need to be able to flex with your roof. Great info sir.
Hey better late than never! Thank you for the support
Loving all the videos can't wait to get off roading with yourself and the club
Soon buddy
Another great video bro do love that set up you run
Thanks bru!
Its costs a hell lot of money, for that they should give rust free bolts and good color.
Couldn’t agree more
Love the sunset lighting, awesome video Justin but we spy an old sticker 🕵️♂️
Can’t beat old school! Appreciate the love and support
Awesome video mate
Load rating is very important
My question my what the ford ranger Load rating also the front roof rails I guess are riveted on 😃
Thank you buddy. So the roof load rating on the ranger is a measley 80kg! The roof rails are bolted in through the roof. They are pretty easy to remove.
It’s worth mention how under engineered are front runner racks. Not capable of carrying heavy awnings or other heavy duty tasks. So many cases with cracked frame around the world. Also I had roof top tent fixed with front runner accessories. Bars flex and squeeze all the times go off road.
It’s nice gimmick rack with all accessories but not really strong.
PS just for comparison one aluminum bar from front runner is around 1kg when competitors 3-4kg - it shows how much they reduced cross section and strength in the same time.
One more advise - don’t go with this rack if you are going to use with hard shell tent … it will block access to all accessories.
It’s nice rack for light use to install a lot of small light, brackets and some cargo on the top.
And I don’t know why it’s called slim … it’s one of the highest structure on market !!!
It seems like you’ve had a bad experience with one. I’ve not heard of any cracked racks from anyone that I’ve wheeled with? You mentioned Frontrunner being lighter than their competitors, isn’t this the aim of the game to be light but also strong. Don’t forget that every vehicle has a both on road and off-road roof rating and the heavier the rack the less you can physically carry on it. No rack is going to be perfect in any way either. I’ve always liked the look and functionality of these racks compared to others. They are extremely modular and can adapt to a variety of different designs. Not many other competitors can claim this
Thanks for the share. Just wondering whats thr brand of this cool lightbar on your roof rack?
No worries, Stedi light bars
Great video and thanks for the info. With the backbone system (with table cut out) you have on the cab, what it the increase in height from the crown of the vehicle? (Increase from standard height with no roof rack) thanks!
Thank you. From centre point on roof to the highest point on the rack is 120mm.
@@MachinaDesigns thanks!
Can you put a rooftop tent on this???
Yes you sure can
Thanks for the awesome vid! Quick question if you have the measurements handy. How deep is the lip of the side rails to the cross/load bars? I’ve ordered the rack and now trying to figure out if my bike racks will fit (they are longer than the rack by 2” so I’ll probably have to rig up some kind of spacers
Thank you. From memory I think it’s 20mm
Frontrunner are pretty much the only option for my vehicle the Freelander 2
Absolutely buddy couldn’t agree more
When you installed the backbone system did you have to drill new holes or do they used the existing holes from the roof rails?
New holes need to be drilled. I filled the existing holes with stainless bolts and sealed them. Following the instructions it was a very easy install
Nice review mate ! Quick question though :
How do you compare the front runner slim line 2 with ARB’s Base Rack? I am looking at the two at the moment and I need some help to decide which option suits me best. I have a Defender 90.
I need to mainly to carry a roof tent, light bar and possibly to carry fuel for long trips.
Thank you I really appreciate the feedback. That’s a great question! Let’s make no mistake that ARB has a very good reputation for off-road products. From what I’ve seen of the ARB base rack it has some really good features being very low profile and strong, however the frontrunner racks have an incredible reputation especially that roof racks are their specialty and their main focus. Their line up of attachments and accessories is brilliant and the fact that their racks are modular goes to show the level of detail they go into regarding design and function. They are so easy to adjust and attach new kit to making life so much simpler. I sound like a salesman! Haha seriously though I hold the Frontrunner racks in very high regards and would recommend them to anyone.
Got to ask, where did you get the roof rack installed? Or was it a DIY job? I’m Hampshire based so thought I’d ask. Lovely setup though!
I installed it myself. Was too hard to do but with the help of a mate will only take a couple hours. Thank you for the feedback i appreciate it
Question: i am considering on getting this specific rack for my truck and i want to add led lights similarly to how you have it on the front, except i am adding flush mount lights and the regular mount lights… will there be any issues or is it basically just drill a hole through it? Also did you have any issues mounting your lights?
I haven’t drilled my rack, all mountings use the existing fixing points. I’ve seen people drill their racks to mount lights and other accessories with no issues. I wouldn’t say I had issues as I did a lot of planning but was tricky in places but got the look I wanted
@@MachinaDesigns okay thank you
No problem
which light you put on that rack mate...?
Stedi light bars
Worlds best roofrack......your personal opinion or statistically proven? Surely a welded roofrack is stronger than a screwed one? Are lateral slats better than horizontal slats? Apart from the bolt-on goodies, do you think its better manufactured than ,maybe a Big Country 4x4 rack (which i'm sure you have heard of!)
It’s my personal opinion Ofcourse. I’ve not experienced nor anyone running a front runner that I know of had issues with the bolt system the rack uses. The modular aspect of the rack makes it incredibly customisable, say for instance you had a sun roof that was being blocked by the rack. You could move the slats in either direction to allow for this or to strengthen it even further you are able to add additional slats to your liking in a multitude of different configurations. I unfortunately haven’t heard of Big country 4x4 racks as they are based in South Africa and I live in the U.K.
I don’t doubt there are far stronger welded racks out there but I highly recommend the Frontrunner system due to its modular capabilities, accessory range and access to spares across Europe and major parts of the world.
What kind of Oakley sunglasses 🕶?
Eyepatch
You sound as if you work for Front Runner. You have not mentioned any other competitors, why not? Surely you would compare and contrast with other products?
Haha no I don’t. Not as of yet but will be