2nd Gen Roof Rack Mounting

Scalded_Dawg

Scalded_Dawg

New member
Trying to get an idea of the mounting of the stock roof rack... mine didn't come with one and I'm planning to build one.

Does it bolt thru the roof or is it rivnuts?
Any of you 2nd gen guys have any pics of your head liner removed?
Any that have a factory roof rack would be SWEET!


Thanks in advance.
 
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I don't have any pictures handy but i do have the parallel factory roof rails. they are bolted though the roof and there are plastic caps in the headliner where the bolts go through the roof. I may be able to get a picture or two up when i get home from work :sorry:
 
I bought a pair of Thule rails and mounted them on my Tacoma cap. You could do the same, but you'd have to remove the roof liner. Without a nut on the inside there's no way it would be strong enough.
 
Somebody a while back bolted a rack and spare tire to their stock rails and it ended in catastrophe, pulled out while wheeling or some such. If I were going to do that, I'd screw the idea of the factory rails and build the rack to bolt straight to the roof. I'd use at least six feet, eight would be better, each with two bolts. I wouldn't trust rivnuts, I'd pull the headliner and bolt through the roof. Use big-ass fender washers, or better yet a plate the same size as the rack feet, and use RTV or similar goop inside and out to make a watertight seal.

The RTV on the washers would glue them to the ceiling, so if you needed to remove it you could unbolt it and thread the bolts back into the open holes with a rubber washer to keep it watertight.
 
Definitely drill through, use backing plate and NUT inside.
I used backing plate and lock nuts on my first-gen...
_MG_5337A_zps26c79082.jpg~original


Might as well install the cable clamps for accessories. They will be replaced with metal ones.

Test fit...
_MG_5337_zps25cc5af2.jpg~original


_MG_5338_zpsd89d4bfb.jpg~original


Replacement headliner re-installed...
_MG_5358_zpsf26a137b.jpg~original


With cord installed on cable locks for accessories.
_MG_5357_zpsc2cb646f.jpg~original
 
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Here you go:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/82007-installing-factory-roof-rack-95-4runner.html

I found it very helpful about a year ago when I installed a factory roof rack I picked up for $50 at a local salvage yard. I chose to install mine several inches forward of factory location as I thought it just looks better but you'll have to pay extra attention to forward screws as they'll interfere with sunroof if screws are left too long. Definitely screw unto roof with retaining nuts on underside as the rivnuts require expert install at very least, just my opinion. You should also add sealant below screw head (top of roof) and atop of washer to prevent possible leaking issues after install. Sorry I don't have pics to share, hope it helps. Good luck.
 
KidVermicious said:
Somebody a while back bolted a rack and spare tire to their stock rails and it ended in catastrophe, pulled out while wheeling or some such. If I were going to do that, I'd screw the idea of the factory rails and build the rack to bolt straight to the roof. I'd use at least six feet, eight would be better, each with two bolts. I wouldn't trust rivnuts, I'd pull the headliner and bolt through the roof. Use big-ass fender washers, or better yet a plate the same size as the rack feet, and use RTV or similar goop inside and out to make a watertight seal.

The RTV on the washers would glue them to the ceiling, so if you needed to remove it you could unbolt it and thread the bolts back into the open holes with a rubber washer to keep it watertight.
Click to expand...

Where is the info on this? Did body flex cause the factory rails to pull out of the roof?! Now you've got me scared... I bolted my rack to the factory rails with some brackets I made myself and haven't done any serious wheeling with it since....



 
I think it was the weight of the spare on the rack that caused the trouble, and I think it broke the feet? I don't remember who it was. I wanna say FootofGod, but I could be wrong.
 
KidVermicious said:
I think it was the weight of the spare on the rack that caused the trouble, and I think it broke the feet? I don't remember who it was. I wanna say FootofGod, but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Alright, well nothing should break on mine, it is STOUT... just wanted to make sure that the stock rails didn't get ripped out of the body due to body twist/flex... THAT would be ugly! lol
 
I took the headliner out of mine when I built my rack. I did not however take any pix of the inside.
I made front and rear plates - PITA to get the contour correct - then bolted through with large fender washers bit not to big that would cause it to tear the sheetmetal - it is REALLY thin - I used nylocks on the bolts as I didn't want to take it back apart. Then used some 1/4" thick rubber - like mudflap material - between the plate and roof then a layer of Vulcum.
I will tell you it has to fit perfect!!! I was about 1/4" off on the right rear side when the other 3 were perfect, I thought I could just tighten it down......BAM!!! there went the rear side window - it didn't like to be stressed. Adjusted the rack until it was perfect then bolted it down and have about 10K miles on it now with lots of high speed off road stuff.
I made mine out of .120" 1.5" as I wanted to to double as some rollover protection without installing a cage in it.
Not a fan of the roof mounted spare but with the rear work I did I needed up there, I am constantly in the rear and didn't want the spare there everytime I get something out of the back. It also doubles as a shooting platform, :), it supports 450lbs of people regularly.



 
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NoHair said:
I took the headliner out of mine when I built my rack. I did not however take any pix of the inside.
I made front and rear plates - PITA to get the contour correct - then bolted through with large fender washers bit not to big that would cause it to tear the sheetmetal - it is REALLY thin - I used nylocks on the bolts as I didn't want to take it back apart. Then used some 1/4" thick rubber - like mudflap material - between the plate and roof then a layer of Vulcum.
I will tell you it has to fit perfect!!! I was about 1/4" off on the right rear side when the other 3 were perfect, I thought I could just tighten it down......BAM!!! there went the rear side window - it didn't like to be stressed. Adjusted the rack until it was perfect then bolted it down and have about 10K miles on it now with lots of high speed off road stuff.
I made mine out of .120" 1.5" as I wanted to to double as some rollover protection without installing a cage in it.
Not a fan of the roof mounted spare but with the rear work I did I needed up there, I am constantly in the rear and didn't want the spare there everytime I get something out of the back. It also doubles as a shooting platform, :), it supports 450lbs of people regularly.



Click to expand...

I remember you telling me the window breaking story before on your build page; I will say your roof rack has been an inspiration for some of my design thoughts; although I didn't have a sunroof so my decking my extend even farther forward. I would like to build mine out of smaller material though so I may be forced to include more mount points (more holes to drill in roof - yuk)

So did you tack it all together bolted up and then it got warped when finish welding it up?
 
fo' runnin' said:
Where is the info on this? Did body flex cause the factory rails to pull out of the roof?! Now you've got me scared... I bolted my rack to the factory rails with some brackets I made myself and haven't done any serious wheeling with it since....



Click to expand...


I'm diggin those brackets to fit factory rail. I had the same idea but I am fab-challenged. :( How much would ya charge for 4-pc set??
 
FC1RETIRED said:
I'm diggin those brackets to fit factory rail. I had the same idea but I am fab-challenged. :( How much would ya charge for 4-pc set??
Click to expand...

Literally all I did was take some 1 1/2" pre-drilled angle iron and cut it to 8-hole lengths with a hand powered hack saw, put two pieces together facing opposite directions, then bolt them together! I bought everything to do it at Lowe's for around $30. Seriously, anyone can build these! I honestly don't have the time to make another set right now, but would be glad to help you through making your own, if you need!
 
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