I built a Prinsu Style Roof Rack for $300 - Here's the How-To

S

SuperfastMatt

New member
I needed a new roof rack and while I like the CBI/Prinsu style it is just way too expensive for some laser cut aluminum and T-Slot bars.

So I made my own; it took about half a day and cost me around $300.



So far it works great! I'm happy to answer any questions.
 
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SuperfastMatt said:
I needed a new roof rack and while I like the CBI/Prinsu style it is just way too expensive for some laser cut aluminum and T-Slot bars.

So I made my own; it took about half a day and cost me around $300.

So far it works great! I'm happy to answer any questions.
Click to expand...

Haha! Good job with the video! And that’s a nice looking rack!
 
SuperfastMatt said:
I needed a new roof rack and while I like the CBI/Prinsu style it is just way too expensive for some laser cut aluminum and T-Slot bars.

So I made my own; it took about half a day and cost me around $300.



So far it works great! I'm happy to answer any questions.
Click to expand...

Very, very resourceful and impressive. Nicely done.
 
Nice, looks good!

It would be awesome if you could share all of the materials you bought with links.

Question: I see you are utilizing the 4 stock mounting locations, but it looks like there's some feet at the front in front of sunroof too. Did you drill and put a mount there are does it just rest on the rail?
 
Last edited:
pDubs said:
Nice, looks good!

It would be awesome if you could share all of the materials you bought with links.

Question: I see you are utilizing the 4 stock mounting locations, but it looks like there's some feet at the front in front of sunroof too. Did you drill and put a mount there are does it just rest on the rail?
Click to expand...

I got the crossbars from here: EX-1020-BLACK – 1″ x 2″ Smooth T-Slotted Aluminum Extrusion – Black Anodize – NEW | TNUTZ
For fasteners, go to McMaster and get two packs of 97763A267 (black stainless bolts) and one of 96765A140 (washers)
The side aluminum (2"x1/4" two pieces 8ft long) I got from my local hardware store but you can get it from MetalsDepot.com for not too much.

The feet on the front are rubber bumpers I had lying around but you can get similar ones here: (McMaster-Carr. I mounted them to the extruded aluminum so that they just press down on the black rubber seams in the roof. I don't think they're needed unless you're loading up the front of the rack with heavy stuff, though they might help keep it from vibrating around.
 
SuperfastMatt said:
I got the crossbars from here: EX-1020-BLACK – 1″ x 2″ Smooth T-Slotted Aluminum Extrusion – Black Anodize – NEW | TNUTZ
For fasteners, go to McMaster and get two packs of 97763A267 (black stainless bolts) and one of 96765A140 (washers)
The side aluminum (2"x1/4" two pieces 8ft long) I got from my local hardware store but you can get it from MetalsDepot.com for not too much.

The feet on the front are rubber bumpers I had lying around but you can get similar ones here: (McMaster-Carr. I mounted them to the extruded aluminum so that they just press down on the black rubber seams in the roof. I don't think they're needed unless you're loading up the front of the rack with heavy stuff, though they might help keep it from vibrating around.
Click to expand...

You rock! Thanks
 
Excellent video and info. I am going to try this myself. I was waiting for deals on a drill press. Thanks to you, I'll now look for a milling machine :cowboy:
 
Nicely done for half a day project!

A couple of days refining the system and it's not a bad option for a rack!
 
good job. i also think full roof racks out there cost too much. especially gobi. here is mine in the making.
4b0a4fe5f47fb619a386ec27e940a048.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
SuperfastMatt said:
I needed a new roof rack and while I like the CBI/Prinsu style it is just way too expensive for some laser cut aluminum and T-Slot bars.

So I made my own; it took about half a day and cost me around $300.

So far it works great! I'm happy to answer any questions.
Click to expand...

I'm cursing you and praising at the same time. Nice work. Can you share more detail on how the front shroud is mounted?
 
Even as a Gobi owner, much respect for coming up with a purpose-built rack on your own. Double credit for the no-bs explanation video to help others. Primo post.
 
This is why I laugh when people are paying $1,500 for a rack. This guy produced a one-off for a quarter of the price. Produce those at scale and it's even cheaper. Yea fit-and-finish might not be there, but that doesn't mean if you make your own you can't make modifications as you go.

Solid how-to
 
Charlievee said:
I'm cursing you and praising at the same time. Nice work. Can you share more detail on how the front shroud is mounted?
Click to expand...

At the front I have an extruded aluminum cross bar that is at the same angle I cut the front of the side bars. I'm using some t-slot nuts and bolts, and I just drilled holes through at the right location. I can get a better picture this evening.
 
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