Anyone building custom roof racks for their 3rd gen?

[airbag]

I want to build a custom roof rack. I know this is a lofty project but i have some experience with welding and would really love for a project to practice TIG. I want something to pop my bike and kayak on and some removable storage space up front hanging slightly over the windshield. Ill also make all these lockable. I drive a non 4x4 and I am not in to rock crawling in the least bit, i appreciate a good dirt road though so it will have to be somewhat durable.

Anyone have some experience with this? does anyone have pictures of custom/home made racks? im also interested in seeing some clever custom bumpers.

gimme your ideas/pics! :bigok:

 

[jrebolloso]

I want to build a custom roof rack. I know this is a lofty project but i have some experience with welding and would really love for a project to practice TIG. I want something to pop my bike and kayak on and some removable storage space up front hanging slightly over the windshield. Ill also make all these lockable. I drive a non 4x4 and I am not in to rock crawling in the least bit, i appreciate a good dirt road though so it will have to be somewhat durable.

Anyone have some experience with this? does anyone have pictures of custom/home made racks? im also interested in seeing some clever custom bumpers.

gimme your ideas/pics! :bigok:

I'm from the ATX and would be down for paying you for some work or trying some things together when I get back that way. You got the right idea.

 

[CSL]

I've got a home-built rack. I bought the basic cage on craigslist from the guy that built it, but then welded it so that it would fit on my 4runner. It attaches to the factory tracks on each side at four locations per side. The photos here weren't really to show off the rack, but rather the homemade mounts I made for the "stuff" Hope this helps!

You can see the little peices on top of the track that I welded onto the cage I bought. I still need to weld some diamond, wire mesh in the bottom of the rack...but I probably wont, since I have a design to rebuild the whole thing someday. I will tell you that the rack is STRONG. being bolted to the rig in 8 places also makes it very solid. I can carry more up there than the roof of the rig itself can handle.

 

[jsmarine]

Dont mean to hijack, but CSL can you elaborate on those mounts for the shovel?

 

[fightman80]

Here's my write-up on YT, but it's a half roof rack. Mine has long cross bars, to put a canoe or small boat on it. My Home made Safari Rack - YotaTech Forums

 

[CSL]

Dont mean to hijack, but CSL can you elaborate on those mounts for the shovel?

Sure. Here's a thread on them:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading-home-monst4rs/46158-diy-shovel-brackets.html

They worked well, but were cumbersome for removing the shovel. I have since ponied up some cash and bought "quick grips" from Sierra Expeditions.

 

[cordrayj1]

Here's my write-up on YT, but it's a half roof rack. Mine has long cross bars, to put a canoe or small boat on it. My Home made Safari Rack - YotaTech Forums

fightman....what kind of backup lights are those? led's?