I've been reading over this forum for the last few weeks since purchasing our first 4 Runner getting ideas and such, so I figured it was finally time I started my roof rack to hold our RTT. I am building it out of 1' heavy gauge pipe. We need a strong low profile rack that can can support our 87 inches of tent. I took most of my inspiration from KneeCaps Build. So here goes nothing.


I cut the pipe to a 12mm length and then pressed it into an oval shape to allow it to fit into the gutter.

I cut the 1"x1/4" strap to 6.5" long, and drill 3.8" holes that match the holes in the roof.



I checked all clearances and I am able to use the stock bolts and sealing washer.

Checking to see how things line up.

Tacked in place for fitment test.


I will post more pic of the process as I continue tomorrow.
Hope you enjoy.

Forgot to add what I will be using to seal the rack to the car. Found this Butyl Window Flashing/Seal.

Subscribed !

Cant wait to see this come together, loving all the DIY racks popping up now. Thanks for the shout out!

Subscribed!

I'm also looking forward to see this project! Planning to go DIY rack this summer aswell.

Are you going to try your luck at a DIY ladder?

I am not - going to probably go with a Baja Rack this fall.

Got some more work done tonight, hopefully I'll have a full day to finish it.

Test fit after welding the bends together

Couple more shots

Rear crossmember tacked in

Another shot

This worked out great, this is where my spacers get welded on, I left it bolted on for a couple days of rain and they are showing me where they want to stay!

Welding rear crossmember off of vehicle.


The worst part about this is keeping the slag off the vehicle when tacking the joints. I used a heavy canvas paint tarp and cardboard that was slightly wet, it did the trick. I had one piece of pipe fall off the side and scratch the body above the doors. All the specs on the roof are dirt not slag. My wife parked it next to a parking lot being swept this morning and then it sprinkled and made mud spots. She wasn't happy about the scratches though, she thought someone in the parking lot did, I should've just went with that explanation. Tomorrow I will test fit it again before adding more cross-members and the second level. My harbor freight pipe bender and tubing notcher leave a lot to be desired, I have had to modify both to make them work right. I plan on building more racks so I guess I need to invest in some better tools and a perfectly flat 4x8 metal workbench.

@warrenvt I thought about buying one too, But my rooftop tent is 87" long and the racks that I have seen all have a hump at the front side that is higher than the back, so I would have to make some sort of riser to bolt the tent onto. Not worth the money to me if I have to modify it after spending $1800+. When I am finished I will have roughly 6-8hrs build time and roughly $350 in paint and steel and it will be exactly how I want it and I think it will be sturdier than a Gobi rack.
I would like to see some pics of what you get though.

It looks great. I like the shape. I wish I had the welder and welding skills to try this.
I like the cross bars at the shark fin antennae. It looks like you're going to add another bar behind the fin. I prefer this to any of the cut-out sections most racks have that wrap around the fin.
2&1/2 comments: 1) Most of the full length racks have a 3rd pair of posts near the front. It's not an anchor down point, that I can see, because there are no bolts there. It's a dummy post for vertical dead weight loads. Otherwise you won't be able to load past the middle supports.
2) The anchor points look like they're going to trap water and debris. Also all of the load bears on the roof under the tubes. I like the oval tubes but a flat plate may be needed at the bottom that fits the recessed track with round holes around the bolt sleeves. Apply the butyl sealant below the bottom plate. At this point, if it were me, I'd cut or grind the tubes shorter and add a 1/8" plate under them. Weld around the tubes to the bottom plate.
3) The ladder by Gobi or Baja Racks wraps over the back door and spoiler. People say that when you open the hatch it swings forward, contacting some of the racks.
Look at the thread about Drabbits racks. Someone posted picks of the installation. It shows his base seal and the 3rd post install.
FWIW

Looks great. Wish I had those skills.

I love the DIY projects! Yours is looking great. And, great idea on squeezing the pipe in the gutters.

I had the same issue with my rack build! Used cardboard to, but put my welding leathers over it.

The Pipe bender is one tool that I have yet to buy. For now, I purchase all of my mandrel bends from Sharpe Products and then weld them in. I look under the handrail fabricated parts section for the right sizes. It is a good cheap alternative to buying a big tool.

I LOVE DIY's, I am getting ready to weld up my DIY rack as well. Good job and good luck OP

Got some more done today before I ran out of pipe. SO tomorrow I get to buy more.

Here is my notcher, it was cheap, and only too 12 1/4" washers to get it to line up to the hole saw correctly.

You can see where I had to shim it.

Here is the mock up of the crossbars, This is exactly were I welded them in, Ill clean up the welds a bit more after putting the rear bar in after I get more. Then I will post a nicer pic. And if you look closely, my 13yr old slave, I mean Son is waving Hi!


So I am getting closer to done, couple more hours and it can be primed. We plan to head to Wyoming with it Friday morning, so it's gotta get done. I'll post some more pics tomorrow.
Later

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