Roof rack 2014 LR4

[aj22]

So, while I do like the Rover factory rails, the price was a bit off-putting, and I have assorted bars and add-ons for Thule/Yakima so wanted to try to re-use those.
Since I couldn't find much info about aftermarket racks, and in fact, a few dealers incorrectly told me it was impossible to add aftermarket racks, I thought I'd contribute my little bit of knowledge.
Well, as you can see(if you have really good eyesight) from my picture in the introduction forum, Yakima definitely works. I popped off a couple of those plastic caps holding the plastic track cover on the roof to fine the mounting points for rails. The right parts are the Yakima landing pad #11 and the Yakima control tower. The only issue is that you have to space the bars either 24 or 48 inches apart(roughly). 48 is pretty far, a lot of accessories don't fit that spread. At 24" I pretty comfortably put on a a box (Skybox pro 16s) and a couple of bicycle holders, on 58" bars. You could probably go 66" if you need the space, but I think the 58" look right.

So, for several hundred dollars less, I have a pretty good solution for the 2014 LR4. Hope this helps someone.

-AJ

 

[epiclr4]

Or you do like I did and search eBay and Craigslist for a set of LR3 take-off short rails and mount your bars to those. Total for a set of OEM Roof Rails, hardware and some paint was about $120 vs the $350 LR wants for them new.

I used the 3112 Fit Kit from Thule with my Large AeroBlade bars everything works like a charm. Didn't even notice a difference in fuel economy.

 

[danrhiggins]

Or you do like I did and search eBay and Craigslist for a set of LR3 take-off short rails and mount your bars to those. Total for a set of OEM Roof Rails, hardware and some paint was about $120 vs the $350 LR wants for them new.

I used the 3112 Fit Kit from Thule with my Large AeroBlade bars everything works like a charm. Didn't even notice a difference in fuel economy.

Glad to hear you like the AeroBlades! I went the OEM rail/dealer install route as my lead service guy had been very helpful to me during the evaluation/decision process on the LR4. So I wanted to give him some business and although it probably would never matter the parts he installed (rails and ladder) are covered under the warranty. Plus he found a fixed an annoying rattle in the back that would occur on washboarded roads. And he gave the truck a decent detail. Not cheap but I want to have a good relationship with the guy going forward.

I will install the AeroBlades later today or tomorrow. Then I'll put my Yakima basket (yes, I know that is heresy to mix brands) on the Aeroblades. And this weekend I'll install the pulley/lift system in the rafters of my garage so I can left the whole setup, with gear, off the truck and store it there.

 

[JotaDe]

Since we're on the discussion I've been mulling over roof racks too for my upcoming LR4.

Ideally I'd like an extended Baja rack, but realistically I need something simpler. Was reading this thread and finlay brought up a good point that a rack not using the crossbars (ex. mounted into roof rack slots) will be a pita to take on and off and limit enjoyable sun roof visibility.
Two things I want to have flexibility with.

I think I'm down to a couple options:
1) Get cross rails with a Rola or Thule basket.
Would actually like a nice flat rack but so far haven't found one that can mount to cross rails.

2) Bite the bullet and get a Baja rack or OEM rack.
I'd actually like the ladder too which I imagine would look odd paired with anything but a full rack.

 

[aj22]

Since we're on the discussion I've been mulling over roof racks too for my upcoming LR4.

Ideally I'd like an extended Baja rack, but realistically I need something simpler. Was reading this thread and finlay brought up a good point that a rack not using the crossbars (ex. mounted into roof rack slots) will be a pita to take on and off and limit enjoyable sun roof visibility.
Two things I want to have flexibility with.

The Yakima bars are very easy to take off, if you leave the landing pads on. They're pretty low profile. It's literally a 30 second snap-on snap-off job.

 

[JotaDe]

Do the Yakima cross bars extend beyond roof rails?
I prefer the clean look where the cross bar isn't protruding past the roof rails and have usually had to go OEM to get that.

 

[danrhiggins]

Or you do like I did and search eBay and Craigslist for a set of LR3 take-off short rails and mount your bars to those. Total for a set of OEM Roof Rails, hardware and some paint was about $120 vs the $350 LR wants for them new.

I used the 3112 Fit Kit from Thule with my Large AeroBlade bars everything works like a charm. Didn't even notice a difference in fuel economy.

So I just tried to use a 3112 Fit Kit with my new extended rails. Either the fit kit don't fit or I don't know what the trick is to get those little pieces of metal down inside the rails. I assume that the pieces of metal need to go longwise into the gap in the slot on top of the rail. But I can't get it in that way. I can turn it so that the short slide goes in but that doesn't seem secure nor does it seem to match the directions. Any guesses as to what I am doing wrong? Is the slot on the top of the 2014 extended factory rails a different width?

 

[epiclr4]

So I just tried to use a 3112 Fit Kit with my new extended rails. Either the fit kit don't fit or I don't know what the trick is to get those little pieces of metal down inside the rails. I assume that the pieces of metal need to go longwise into the gap in the slot on top of the rail. But I can't get it in that way. I can turn it so that the short slide goes in but that doesn't seem secure nor does it seem to match the directions. Any guesses as to what I am doing wrong? Is the slot on the top of the 2014 extended factory rails a different width?

Did your fit kit come with two different sized plates to slide into the rails?

Nothing has ever changed with the rails.

 

[danrhiggins]

Did your fit kit come with two different sized plates to slide into the rails?

Nothing has ever changed with the rails.

Good question. I read the thread from back in 2011 about them supplying two sets of anchors (B and C). But I only have one set of plates and none of them have markings. Argh.

 

[danrhiggins]

I got it. I was looking at the Hummer directions, not the LR4 directions. Stupid. According to the directions I need to turn them sideways. It doesn't seem like they are as snug a fit but I guess it will look better when they are locked down. Back to the garage... And sorry for the silly question.