ARB Style Awning on OEM roof rails?
- Thread starter TheLast13
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kpd1999
New member
I used to use these type of stainless steal clamps to mount my Hi Lift to the roof rack on my FJC. Cost about $7 each and then just add a long HD bolt to make it stronger. I'm thinking this would work to replace those thin metal pipe straps that might break.
I'm not sure how these would go around the rack because it's not round. It has a funny shape actually. I appreciate the idea though.
E-ROCKER
New member
Even though the roof rails are not round those clamps will tighten down very tight and form to the shape that the rails are. They have rubber lining inside so it grips and will not move or break.
Just thought it would work much better than this is all.
crackiswack
New member
How is that aluminum railing attached to the awning? Can you drill and run bolts directly through from the inside of the awning? Then you could bolt it directly to the rail with some inserts
kpd1999
New member
I couldn't tell they had rubber in them, so that sounds like a good option. Any idea how to the awning would attach? Drill into the clamp?
I have the factory SR5 rail right now. My Gobi rack is not coming anytime soon.
I've got my 2500 ARB awning. Have you guys found an easy & secure way to mount it to the factory rail yet?
If there isn't any, I would just have to wait for my Gobi and Gobi's ARB Awning mount.
I do have a trip next week that I can certainly use the awning.
ray:
I've got my 2500 ARB awning. Have you guys found an easy & secure way to mount it to the factory rail yet?
If there isn't any, I would just have to wait for my Gobi and Gobi's ARB Awning mount.
I do have a trip next week that I can certainly use the awning.
ray:BettysNephew
New member
If you cannot find the right sized U channel to fit, perhaps it will be easier to locate angle iron of sufficient size and bolt together to form the U. Mount one piece to the rack on the inside with the other part of the angle on top of the rack rail. Then attach the second piece of angle to the first and drill and bolt together with the outer leg in the downward position and attach the awning to that part. Basically two upside don L's in opposition. It is generally easier to find angle short ends than channel.
01100101
New member
Like this:
But again, I'd worry about the weight of the awning applying torsional stress to the siderail itself as you bounce along the road. I don't have a 5gen, so maybe that rail is burlier than I'm imagining it.
I'm about to get an awning from the current ARB awning Group buy. Has anyone tried this method yet on their OEM rack, specifically on a 2010-2013 T.E. rack.
Same thing brought me in here. After seeing the ideas floated around in this thread I'm very confident there are solid solutions with a little thinking once it's in hand.
Sifrk
New member
Sorry if this has already been asked, I kinda blew through the thread.
Has anyone tried taking apart the standard crossbars and jimmy up something from that? They may not be strong enough to handle the lateral force but just a thought.
I ended up going with a camp-style awning that sits and secures to the back of the 4runner, but it takes for-friggin-ever to put together. I don't plan on fitting a proper rack so I'm limited on options. Would love to see something usable with the standard rails.
Has anyone tried taking apart the standard crossbars and jimmy up something from that? They may not be strong enough to handle the lateral force but just a thought.
I ended up going with a camp-style awning that sits and secures to the back of the 4runner, but it takes for-friggin-ever to put together. I don't plan on fitting a proper rack so I'm limited on options. Would love to see something usable with the standard rails.
Sifrk
New member
Bomber Awn-Lock
Called ARB, they recommended looking at this...
https://bomberproducts.com/products/awn-lock
Anyone have experience with them?
Called ARB, they recommended looking at this...
https://bomberproducts.com/products/awn-lock
Anyone have experience with them?
Brookey_813
New member
Found this on another site, oem rails 3rd gen ARB Awning, looks "simple"
Has anyone done this yet, or found another way to mount an awning to the oem rack?
Seems like there's tons of interest yet I have yet to find a person that's done it successfully (other than this picture, which we're not sure where it came from).
I have my awning coming next week or so and will post up how I mount it so this old thread will hopefully at least have something productive in it. I won't be ordering my roof rack for another month or two so will need something to suffice in the mean time. My original thought was the L brackets as is shown above. I did order the brackets from ARB with the awning to see if those could possibly work with a U-Bolt to go over the oem rails.
JSparky
New member
It can be very easily done. Use ARB's gusseted awning brackets and some bits from the hardware store. The factory cross bars are aluminum and can be drilled out no problem. Be sure to put a large drop cloth down to collect any metal shavings during drilling. Laying something down to protect the roof from overdrilling wouldn't be a bad idea, I used some HDPE I had left over from another project. I also stacked two fender washers under the bracket to sit it even with the outer lip of the factory cross bars. I'll update with more photos when I get to my computer.
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JSparky
New member
Those L brackets are funky looking, I'm thinking they may have had to wallow out those holes or drill new ones altogether to replicate the ARB bolt pattern, but I could be wrong.
While that looks perfect, I don't have factory cross rails. I could potentially pick some up, but I'd hate to dump too much money into the project knowing I'll be getting a full rack in the upcoming months.
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