I’m considering the addition of a Front Runner Slimline II roof rack for my truck. I also want to add a ladder and really like the looks of the L8 ladder. I wrote to L8 to see if they are compatible. The response was “it’s a gray area… some have made it work but we don’t have the specifics”

Question: Have any of you installed both the Front Runner roof rack and the L8 ladder? If so how did it go and what specifically was required to make it work ?

Thanks

Matt

 

I have the Front Runner Slimline II but not the L8 ladder. Based on the pictures I have seen and my own experience my guess is you move the drivers rear bracket forward a bar or two to accommodate the ladder attachment point. The height of the rack has some adjustment to it in the mounts and by the looks of things should be able to clear the ladder bracket.

While I have considered this option myself, I do find the roof rack as a grab point along with the recovery loops as a foothold get the job done most of the time. That and one of those door latch steps off Amazon.

 

Matt, this has definitely been done before and I have talked to some shops about doing it. I believe I have seen a pic on here as well. Will try to find it for you. BTW highly recommend FR rack.

 

OK ya, it was @ponder ! Would love any info on how you did this as well.

 

Here is what @ponder shared with me on how he installed the L8 ladder to the SLII. The work was performed at Galpin. I'll try to find the pics from that install.

"So what you get from L8 is more of a wedge / V at the top. And it slots into the OEM rails. No issues with OEM rack. What Galpin did was cut into it. Making it more L shape vs V. They then powder coated it to be weather resistant and put a few mounting points into the Front Runners rails as there were no holes."

 

 

This is super helpful! THANK YOU!

This radk is installed without the roof rails by the look of the pictures. I am considering the SLII that utilizes the roof rails. I wonder if that would be an issue with the L8 ladder if I utilized the roof rails... Will need to look into the details of how the ladder mounts

 

My guess is that it would be a little easier given the height profile of the rack without the Front Runner rails is closer to OEM. Either way, find a metal worker local to you, and with some cutting and maybe welding, you'll be all set.

 

Wow, this is just what I needed for my shop and it looks great. Thank you!!

 

I have both installed on my 90. All I had to do was trim a bit of the FR rack bracket so that it clears the ladder bracket. It was a very easy mod and works great. This of course only works with the rail mounted FR rack.