I've got some plans going for a DIY Frontrunner style roof rack using, of course, tslot alum extrusions from Tnutz. Just placed the order. It came out to $590 and sandly $110 of that was ground shipping.
So $480 is not too bad in my opinion. Hopefully it works out otherwise I'll have a bunch of tslot pieces LOL. The platform size will be 81"x49.5". The frontrunner equiv would have cost over $1500 and $1200 used. The Yakima Lock n Load with similar dimension is $900 w/o towers or attached to your OEM crossbars.
I prefer the Frontrunner style than the Prinsu style as it allows more space on top. Not sure if anyone has built a Frontrunner style before, but probably since Tslots are so versatile. It's based off of AdventureMan's design for a low profile crossbars for the OEM rails on a 5th gen (
HERE). Basically I extended the cross bars to go over the OEM rails, added some front to back side pieces and more slats. Voila, roof rack platform! I'll stick with my OEM rails for now but may rip those out eventually and make my own L bracket standoffs.
This is what it will look like. I was fiddling with dimensions but this is the general idea. I went with the 10 series. I wanted the 15series but it was WAY more expensive. The 10series are 1" thick and the Frontrunner slats are only .86" (22mm). There will be no Lip around the edges which makes the Frontrunner appear "thicker".
It will have 3 L-brackets on each side attaching 3 slats to the OEM rails.
The only thing I have to figure out are some shims. The L brackets attached to the OEM rails sit lower than the top of the OEM rails by about 1/2". So I need to make some spacers/shims with some 1/2" aluminum block but was also thinking of getting some remnant 1/2" black UHMW. That way I don't have to paint it and its durable. Thoughts on the UHMW?
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2003 4Runner Limited 4wd V8. JBA UCA, Dobinsons MRA Front Coilovers, Dobinsons MRA Long Travel rear. Cooper AT3 XLT 285/70R17
91 Ext Cab 4x4 Yota, black with 4" front IFS trailmaster lift, 3" Downey rear springs, Downey Rubicon extended shackles, and 2" body lift. 35" BFG M/T w/ 4.56. Centerforce II clutch, Rancho 5000s all around and Rancho traction bar, K&N Air filter, Flowmaster, ARB Rear Diff Air Locker, Custom "Mad Eyes" light covers, Extended Diff Breathers, Hella Vision Plus Headlights. [SOLD]