Top 16 5th Gen 4Runner Roof Racks: Complete Buyers Guide (Updated List 2023)

Here is Every Rack That You Should Consider For Your Toyota 4Runner: Both Full-Length & Small Basket Rack Options

After years of running different setups on my 4Runner, I wanted to put together an overview of some of the top (most common) roof racks that every 5th Gen 4Runner owner should consider.

I’ve personally run many types of racks. Some of those include KC M-Racks, Yakima Baskets, the Rhino Pioneer, Prinsu, many types of crossbar systems, and most recently the ARB Base Rack. After we’re finished testing the Base Rack, we will be installing/testing the new Backwoods Adventure Mods rack.

Whether you’re an avid offroader who is looking for extra space, an occasional thrill-seeker, or a weekend warrior, below is a good resource to help you consider the platform that is right for your needs. From the affordable baskets like the Yakima to the more expensive options like Gobi, Prinsu, Front Runner, and many of the top CNC roof racks on the market, we covered most of the most popular options on the market.

Racks are a great addition for anyone who takes their rig off-roading, takes road trips, day trips, and of course for families that need a little more storage up top. While we have plenty of space inside our 4Runner, it is always nice to have extra storage up top.

Do you need a Roof Rack?

Let’s find out if you need a roof rack first!

General Gear: There are hundreds of general items you can throw on a rack. We have seen several 4Runners with storage boxes, gun cases, recovery gear, bikes, kayaks, snowboards, skis, recovery boards, camping gear, travel gear, overland gear, fuel storage, water storage, off-road jacks, shovels, and of course the Rooftop Tent.

Lighting: Most rack companies accommodate pod-style light bars, slim light bars, chase lights, scene lights, and so much more.

Extra Tire: If your 4Runner has a larger tire that can no longer fit in the spare location you can place a spare tire on your rack.

Dirty Gear: With dirty gear, it’s nice to have the option to throw stuff on top of your 4Runner instead of the rear cargo area. If you need to transport firewood, racks are fully capable of holding large amounts of this and other items that may get your cargo area dirty. A good option to carry firewood is the Wood Gaiter by High Road Adventure Gear.

Family Needs: We have used our current system for things like our Christmas Tree, daughter’s tree-house, bikes, sleds, kayaks, camping gear, and numerous home depot trips. You name it. You would really be surprised at how much you will use a rack after you have one installed.

Rugs, Lumber, and oversized Items: Have you ever seen an SUV with 16 pieces of lumber sticking out the back window? Yeah, don’t be that person. This is also incredibly sketchy and can damage your interior pretty quickly. Do yourself a favor and get some type of rack or crossbar system if you plan on carrying around oversize items.

This is not a list from best to worst. Nor is this a list of the “best” options out there. This is a general list of common racks. Most of the full-length and 3/4-length options are at the top. All of the small basket styles are at the bottom.

1. Cali Raised LED: Full-Length

Having options is always a good thing. Cali Raised LED gives us two similar but different options when looking for a solid roof rack for your rig. With Premium and Economy roof racks available from an established company, you can bet either one of these can perform well on your 4Runner.

The main differences between the premium and economy racks include the type of fairing available, most notably the Premium features a unique adjustable wind fairing for the 40″+ LED bar, and the 360-degree scene lighting cutouts. With proper loading, most roofs can only handle about 500 lbs (or so). The Cali Raised racks are over-engineered to be able to handle over 1,000 lbs. – a testament to load-carrying capacity. These racks can get the job done.

As indicated by their name, Cali Raised LED also sells complete lighting packages to pair with your rack. From the lights to the harnesses and OEM-style switches, these guys have you completely covered. While they only offer one accessory in-house, the rooftop tent mounts, adding other products is easy with the extrusion bars.

Cali Raised provides a solid 2-year warranty on all their products.

Find it online:

• Cali Raised LED Premium & Economy options: Check Prices

Pros

• Two types are available (premium + economy)
• Unique features
  • 360-degree lighting package
  • Adjustable wind fairing
• Minor wind noise and vibration
• 100% bolt-on, no drilling
• Made in the USA
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Accessories Purchased Separately

2. Backwoods Adventure Mods: Full-Length

Introducing the all-new DRIFTR roof rack from Backwoods – starting under $1,000.

Backwoods Adventure Mods has just launched a lightweight aluminum roof rack. Modular, low-profile, durable, and customizable, with a quick installation and affordable shipping, this might be the rack you’ve been waiting for!

The DRIFTR is designed with the end user in mind. With plenty of flexibility for mounting all your gear and accessories, this build and design will not only add to the aesthetics of your build but bring your truck to another level of functionality.

Find it online: 

• Backwoods Adventure Mods DRIFTR: Check Price

Pros

• USA made
• No drilling required!
• 1/4″ thick aluminum
• Optional chase light cutouts
• Side rail handle cutouts
• 1×3 triple-slotted crossbars
• Adjustable front fairing
• Universal light mounting
• Includes T-nuts for accessory mounting
• Pre-drilled holes for extrusion bars

Cons

• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

3. All-Pro Off-Road: Full-Length

A well established company, All-Pro has been building parts for the Toyota aftermarket scene for almost 3 decades. Made in America, with a solid reputation and a unique approach and design, this roof rack is worth checking out.

While many racks in the aluminum, low-profile category use a standard sized extrusion bar, All-Pro stands out with a custom formed 5052 aluminum crossbar. The design give you loads of opportunities to mount you accessories and eliminates areas where debris can build up.

All-Pro typically has low to no lead times for many of their products and offers a solid 1-year warranty.

Find It Online

• All-Pro Overland Roof Rack For 5th Gen 4Runner: Check Price

Pros

• American made
• No drilling required!
• Optional light bat cutout
• Side rail handle cutouts
• Unique crossbar design
• Low lead times
• 12-month warranty

Cons

• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

4. Prinsu: Full-Length & 3/4

The Prinsu (now owned by CBI Off-Road) rack is a low-profile, badass, aggressive-looking platform that was the first CNC rack introduced to the market.

The Prinsu comes in two options; a 3/4 length version and the standard full-length version – neither options require drilling. The design is made up of 2 laser-cut side rails with 1/4″ 5052 aluminum and multiple top/bottom-facing channels with one powder coating option. For the fairing, you can choose between black, bare, grey, or white.

The Prinsu comes with all of the mounting hardware and has two different crossbar options. It comes with a wind deflector due to it sitting just high enough to have a wind noise. The wind deflector does have options for a 30″ and 40″ light bar cut out. For additional add-ons, Prinsu has an extensive lineup of accessories – the largest in the industry when it comes to aftermarket accessory add-ons.

Find It Online:

• Prinsu 4Runner Roof Racks: Check Price

Pros

• Affordable
• No drilling required
• Load panels with endless mount options
• Wind deflector with LED cutout
• Low profile design
• Aluminum/lightweight
• Powder-coated options
• Versatile overland/ expedition-style

Cons

• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

5. KC Pro6 M-Rack: Full-Length

The KC Lights Pro6 M-Rack is one of the most robust combinations on the market. The Pro6 is the actual light bar (pictured) while the M-Rack is the rack brand (that KC owns). Four C-series scene lights are integrated into the CNC cut side rails, making for a powerhouse in terms of integrated lighting and design. KC offers multiple lighting options for the M-Rack.

You can opt for the higher quality Pro6 or go with something more simplified like a C-series 50-inch light bar. To be honest, if you’re buying a rack of this quality you should opt for the 50″ Pro6. There is no comparison to the C-Series 50-inch light bar. Like many other options on the market, the KC M-Rack features CNC-cut Precision Fit crossbars that can be outfitted with t-nut eye bolts to allow for endless mounting options.

Out of the box, this is one of the most robust, well-designed, and ready-to-go options when it comes to a pre-packaged full-length option with a light bar. The rack is not cheap at all but is sure to turn heads and like the road in front of you far beyond the eye can see. If you have the money, this is one setup you will not regret.

Find it online: 

• KC Pro6 M-Rack: Check Price

Pros

• Nothing like it on the market
• Baja-Race style made easy
• Multiple pre-packed light-bar options
• Integrated scene lights
• Powder-coated
• 5 CNC roof rails

Cons

• Drilling Required on Full-Length
• Increases Wind Noise

6. upTOP Overland: Full-Length

The upTOP Overland Bravo and Alpha are both two pretty stunning options as well.

The Bravo is one of the more affordable full-length CNC racks on the market. Don’t think that lower cost means lower quality because Bravo has a lot to offer. It has a unique wind deflector unlike any of the other options. The wind deflector is not as “low profile,” as the others, but it looks awesome! The wind deflector has multiple light bar cutout options, varying from 10-inch bars to 40-inch bars. Some of the others mentioned in this article have a single option only.

The Alpha is another low-profile option however it offers a massive footprint. The rack measures 50 in wide in 98.5″ Long. That’s larger than almost any other option on the market. The design of the alpha is unlike anything we have seen before. UpTOP Overland is probably the leader in Ingenuity, creativity, and design Integrations. They feature internal design rails that you can have color-matched to your 4Runner. The Alpha comes with the same scene pods as the Bravo, just another great feature of this rack.

Find it online: 

• upTOP Overland Options: Check Prices

Pros

• Nothing like it on the market
• Various light bar cutouts
• Scene pod knockouts
• No drilling required
• Moonroof compatible
• Large floor footprint
• Built-in Handles

Cons

• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

7. Sherpa: Full-Length & 3/4

Sherpa is another high-end CNC-style option on the market with somewhat of a cult following. They originally started with 3rd Gen 4Runner racks and quickly grew into the 5th Gen 4Runner market due to their quality and attention to detail. Sherpa was likely the first brand to introduce 1/4″ aluminum into their design. Now others, such as Backwoods Adventure Mods, are adopting that same level of build quality.

The load capacity is 300 lbs dynamic and 700 lbs static. They provide 9 extrusion crossbars and the installation does not require drilling. You can order your wind fairing in a half-height (for single row light bar) or full height (no light bar) and then customize your finish in a black textured powder coat or bare processed aluminum. 

For accessories, they offer just about every option your average overlander or off-roader would need; universal adapt mounting plate, HD awning mount, antenna mount, QuickFist mount brackets, window MOLLE panel, waterport mount, ROTOPAX mounting kit, and more. The best part about their accessories, compared to Front Runner, for example, is that they’re actually reasonably priced.

Find it online: 

• Sherpa Crestone (Full-Length): Check Price

Pros 

• Industry-leading ¼” thick aircraft-grade aluminum
• Side cutouts for mounting gear or handles
• Side cutouts for scene lights/brackets
• 9 Extrusion crossbars
• No drilling required
• Adjustable Leveling Mounts
• Fairing with Edge Trim
• Tons of accessory mounting options

Cons

• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

8. Front Runner: Full-Length & 3/4

Front Runner is a T6 aluminum rack that has a strong design and is powder coated in satin black. They offer both full-length and 3/4 rack versions and both are compatible with their large line of in-house aftermarket mods, and accessories. For weight ratings, the dynamic and static load is around 660 lbs for both the full-length and the 3/4 system. There are too many options to list (60+ accessories to give you an idea). With Front Runner, just know that if you want to mount something, they offer a solution for it.

The downside to Front Runner is the price, overall. Not only is the rack itself expensive, but the accessories are as well. If you buy a Front Runner system, expect to pay more money for their hardware mounts and accessory options down the road, or just get creative.

Find it online: 

• Front Runner Racks: Check Price

Pros

• No drilling on 3/4
• Low profile flat design
• Durable
• Powder-coated
• Versatile overland/ expedition-style
• Plenty of accessories and add-ons

Cons

• Expensive
• Accessories are expensive
• Drilling Required on Full-Length
• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

9. Eezi-Awn K9: Full-Length

Very similar to a Front Runner in terms of design, the Eezi-Awn K9 is an aluminum system with slotted groves that are made to fit their own line of accessories and mounts. While this rack can still be outfitted with many other aftermarket accessories, the design allows for their accessory mounts to work much easier. Eezi-Awn K9 has an adjustable height feature that allows you to adjust the brackets up and down. Many other systems do not offer a feature like this. If adjustability is important to you, then consider the K9. Although this system has an adjustable height, it still sits higher than most – even on its “lowest” setting.

The K9 features fully-welded joints (not bolts) and is made from extruded aluminum which is incredibly light and comes with a flat black powder coating. The K9 is a universal expedition-style system that offers plenty of room for mounting accessories.

The design is aerodynamic, lightweight, and highly durable. The sizes range from 1.4m x 1250mm to 2.2m x 1250mm. As an overland-style system, the Eezi-Awn K9 is fully capable of storing anything you throw at it. Whether you are looking to mount a rooftop tent or store camping gear, this rack is more than prepared to handle what you throw at it.

When it comes to accessories, they offer a solution for pretty much every overland gear essential. Like the Front Runner, their mounting options and accessories are pretty pricey.

Find it online: 

• Eezi-Awn K9: Check Price

Pros

• Adjustable height
• Low profile, flat design
• No drilling required
• Powder-coated in satin black
• Versatile overland/ expedition-style
• Light-weight
• Plenty of accessories and add-ons

Cons

• Expensive
• Steel Design = Heavy
• Increases Wind Noise

10. BajaRack: Full-Length & 3/4

Most of their options are full-length basket-style racks, however, BajaRack also offers a completely flat (UTility – shown above) option as well. If garage height is a problem, this would be your best option. The BajaRack like the famous Gobi Rack comes in multiple sunroof options; with and without the sunroof cutout. If your 4Runner has a moonroof, it is nice to know that Baja offers an option to accommodate your needs. All of the BajaRacks come with an epoxy primer (rust inhibitor) with a black powder coating.

BajaRacks are made to withstand all seasons and take the abuse of on and off gear. They are made out of  1″,  3/4″,  and 1/2″ steel tubing. They also have an optional mesh bottom which adds strength. The load capacity is dynamic (while driving) 300 lbs and static 600 lbs.

If you are looking for a fully functional overland style rack that’s a low profile with a clean design, BajaRacks might be for you.

For Accessories, they have you covered. Baja has awning mounts, axe/ shovel mounts, fuel can holders, Hi-Lift jack mounts, plenty of LED light mounts, and much more.

While they start out pricier than some other racks, BajaRacks are a great choice if you want a dependable rack with plenty of options.

Find it online: 

• BajaRack Official: Check Price

Pros

• Factory mounts (no drilling required)
• Low profile and basket style
• Quality fabrication
• Powder-coated
• Versatile overland/ expedition-style
• Hidden SPY light LED bar feature

Cons

• Expensive
• Steel Design = Heavy
• Decreases Fuel Economy

11. Rhino-Rack: Full-Length & 3/4

The Rhino-Rack Pioneer SX Platform is another low-profile option that is highly durable and can be mounted in a wide variety of ways depending on your setup. The platform’s build quality is similar to an Eezi-Awn K9 and the Front Runner, but a little less expensive.

The 3/4 platform can be mounted on your factory roof rails while the full option (backbone system) is an overland-style rack.

The Pioneer SX Platform is made from aluminum and comes powder-coated black. The measurements of this unit for the Backbone (full rack) system are Length 76″ x Width 49″x Height 1.5″. The measurements for the 3/4 platform are Length 60″ x Width 48″x Height 1.5″. You can mount the 60″ platform to the factory roof rails or you can purchase the stronger Backbone system for the larger 76″ platform.

The backbone system can support a roof-top tent (without the basket) like many of the full-length options above as well as many other common accessories.

The Rhino-Rack has endless options for mounting but you will pay for their accessories. To give you an idea, the tie-down eye nuts are $50 for 4. The gear is outrageously expensive.

Find it online: 

• Rhino Pioneer Backbone Mount: Check Price
• Rhino Pioneer Backbone Platform (76″ x 48″): Check Price

Pros

• Factory mounts (no drilling required)
• Factory Rails (3/4)
• Factory Mounts (Backbone)
• Very low profile design
• Aluminum/ light-weight
• Powder-coated black satin

Cons

• Expensive Aftermarket Accessory Brackets

12. Gobi Rack: Full-Length

One of the oldest, most well-established roof rack companies in the off-road industry is Gobi. While it comes in at a heavy price point, it’s also among the highest quality. They offer two unique looks which are both quite stunning. The rack itself can handle a safe driving load capacity of 300lbs. In addition, the static load capacity easily holds up to 600lbs.

The first is the Stealth which is built to be low profile while providing maximum functionality. Then there is the Ranger which is built to be fairly low-profile but more for function, The Ranger outer bars are taller than the Stealth.

• The Gobi Stealth: The Gobi Stealth is a super low profile, aggressive, fully capable, overland-style platform. With the stealth, you have options for LED bars or pod lights.
• The Gobi Ranger: The Ranger has a basket that sits a bit higher than the Stealth. Grab the Ranger if you plan on mounting gear and hardware at high heights.

Gobi also comes with two sunroof options; with a sunroof cutout or without. Also for lighting, you have your choice of multiple light mounts or a single mount for a single light bar. Along with the roof rack, you receive the Gobi ladder, wind deflector, and two cross bars. There is also a tire mount which is great for anyone who has larger than stock tires.

Gobi racks are black powder coated with an anti-rust undercoat which provides years of on/off-road utility. While the Gobi rack is pricey, it is worth every penny due to it being incredibly clean, functional, and strong.

Find it online: 

• Gobi Racks: Check Price

Pros

• Factory mounts (no drilling required)
• Low profile option & basket style option
• Powder-coated
• Versatile overland/expedition-style build
• Multiple mounting options & brackets
• Tons of documentation online for mods & accessories

Cons

• Long lead times
• Steel Design = Heavy

13. ARB Flat Rack: 3/4 Rack

There are a lot of off-road companies on the market, but few have a name as well-known as ARB. Although ARB has made roof racks for many years, their flat alloy rack has been introduced to the market and might just be the rack you are looking for.

There are a few things that set the ARB roof rack apart from other brands. The first is that the ARB flat mesh rack is made of alloy, making it extremely strong but also lightweight…significantly lighter than other racks on the market (under 50 pounds). The rack is also very low profile, providing a sleek and refined look for your 5th Gen 4Runner. The flat design helps out with the slim profile but also allows a user ample options for storing equipment on the rack.

If you don’t want to drill into your roof for an aftermarket platform, this is a great option as the ARB rack utilizes the factory roof rack mounting locations. This does mean you won’t have a full-length rack and more so a ¾ or 7/8 length rack, so depending on your needs this may be a positive or a negative aspect.

Lastly, this rack is very strong. With a dynamic load rating of 300 pounds and a static load rating of 600 pounds, the ARB Flat Alloy Roof Rack is capable of holding gear such as kayaks or paddleboards, but also a rooftop tent that can hold two people on board. This alloy rack comes with mesh on top to help you configure your gear and give you more options for transporting equipment and gear.

Options

The Flat Alloy Roof Rack comes in a 70” x 44” platform, but steel options are available in other sizes. It is important to mention that only the alloy rack comes with a mesh floor, as the flat steel options only come with crossbars.

Find it online: 

• ARB Mesh Flat Alloy Rack: Check Price
• Updated Rack (ARB BASE RACK): Read the install & review here

Pros

• Alloy/ lightweight
• Low profile
• No drilling required
• Strong
• Excellent quality
• Flat design
• Powder-coated
• Lots of mounting options
• Very versatile

Cons

• Steel Design = Heavy
• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

14. Nfab: 3/4 Basket

While being one of the cheapest complete racks on the list that does not mean it is poor quality. The N-Fab rack is actually one of the most cost-effective options on the list. It has a full aluminum design so it is lightweight but still strong. While you may not want to set up a tent on this rack it is capable of holding plenty of gear, or even a spare oversized tire.

The Nfab rack comes with a textured black powder coating that has a 5-year warranty. N-Fab itself has a lifetime warranty which makes this rack rank above most in a sense. Featuring a low profile design while still showing elements of a basket, this is an option to consider is budget is limited or you are looking for something small and compact. This option will hold gear securely with side straps as well.

This option is the perfect choice for anyone who hits trails, needs a platform for weekend trips or for general use but does not want a rooftop tent. Compared to other $1000 options, this choice covers many areas of importance and needs.

Find it online: 

• This Rack: Check Price

Pros

• Factory mounts (no drilling required)
• Affordable
• Strong design
• Mild basket design
• Powder-coated

Cons

• Not a full rack
• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

15. Yakima: 3/4 Basket

The Yakima MegaWarrior and LoadWarrior cargo baskets are dependable options for those who want to have additional storage space. It may not look as low profile as some of the other full-length options but the price is great and the install is very easy. If this is the style you’re looking for, check out this LoadWarrior review written by Sarah.

The Yakima MegaWarrior Cargo Basket (the larger version) is a durable all-steel basket with a black finish. Its dimensions are length 52″ x width 48″ x Height 6.5″ with an optional Length of 22″ extension. There are no included accessories that come with the Yakima. But, the basket comes with a built-in wind deflector which is needed due to it sitting so high.

Find It Online: 

• Yakima LoadWarrior: Check Price
  • Dimensions: 40″ x 39″ x 6.5″
  • Weight: 25.00 pounds
• Yakima MegaWarrior Basket
  • Dimensions: 52″ x 48″ x 6.5″
  • Weight 43.8 pounds
• Yakima MegaWarrior Extension
  • Adds 22″ (40%)

Pros

• Uses factory roof rails (no drilling required)
• Cheap
• Durable and functional
• Steel Design

Cons

• Painted not Powdercoated
• Taller than most racks
• Decreases Fuel Economy
• Increases Wind Noise

16. Rola: 3/4 Basket

The Rola V-Tex Rooftop Cargo Basket while being super affordable is another great option for those who want a strong easy-to-mount rack/basket. This rack while being cheaper than the Yakima might be a better choice. While not quite as large it has better features for an offroader.

The Rola is a durable heavy-duty steel basket with a black powder coat finish. Its dimensions are Length 48″ x Width 37.5″ x  Height 4″.  This rack along with being the second cheapest is stylish compared to some, strong,  and powder coated.

The Rola is 4″ tall and comes with a built-in wind deflector which is a huge plus. This basket also comes with all mounting hardware which isn’t much due to it being a crossbar basket.  For accessories, Rola sells an optional 18 3/4″ length extension, a cargo box or net, a cargo bag, and last but not least a bike carrier attachment.

Find It Online: 

• Rola Basket Rack: Check Price

Pros

• Uses factory roof rails (no drilling required)
• Cheap
• Durable and functional
• Steel Design
• Plenty of accessories
• 5-year warranty

Cons

• No customizable options

Which Rack is for You?

Overall, every one of these roof racks has great benefits. While some may look good they may not be built for function though. Whatever option you choose for your 4Runner is based on what you are looking for and your adventure plans.

You may want a low-profile design that’s super clean, versus a large rack but has more function. There are many factors when choosing the style, functionality, color options, storage, and most importantly mounting options.  We hope this guide helps you choose the perfect roof rack for your next adventure.