Does anybody have a source for someone who can fabricate a custom roof rack for the 4th gen 4R's? Looking for something similar to the WMW rack but wider than what Gobi is making (wouldn't buy from them anyways). Had a lead from a guy out in SoCal, but doesn't seem to be panning out. All of the folks locally are charging so much that they're essentially telling me to buy an off the shelf rack and they'll modify it, but I don't want to go that route. I'm willing to have it shipped.
Custom Roof Rack Fabricators
- Thread starter svana
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n.douglas
New member
Have you looked into Gamiviti?
I wanted low profile and not a Gobi so I went with Gamiviti and I couldn't be happier. Tim, the owner, offers a lot of customizations already, but he'll likely build you just about anything.
Best part is, he was incredibly responsive through the whole process and the lead time he told me in the beginning is exactly how long it took to get (4 weeks).
gamiviti.com
I'll post a pic from my phone after this.
I wanted low profile and not a Gobi so I went with Gamiviti and I couldn't be happier. Tim, the owner, offers a lot of customizations already, but he'll likely build you just about anything.
Best part is, he was incredibly responsive through the whole process and the lead time he told me in the beginning is exactly how long it took to get (4 weeks).
gamiviti.com
I'll post a pic from my phone after this.
AdmiralAugbar
New member
It's on there, it's grouped in with the gx470 and 120 series land cruiser
120 Series Roof Rack ? Gamiviti
n.douglas
New member
BlackWorksInc
New member
Has he been hounded by Gobi yet? There was a guy who was making nice racks for 4Runners as a small business a couple years ago. Last I heard Gobi was still actively pressuring people with their borderline ridiculous patent trolling and were aiming at Baja a year ago.
n.douglas
New member
nope and i think hed prefer to keep it that way. he mainly builds racks for land cruisers. his rack also looks so much different than a gobi, including the frame and the towers that connect the rack to the truck.
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BlackWorksInc
New member
So was the guy's racks that Gobi hounded, they didn't really even look close to Gobi's. it came down to the fact that at the time (not sure if it's still true now) Gobi's "patent" was basically vague enough that anyone making a non-OEM rack for a 4th or 5th gen that wasn't Gobi could be infringing on it. Was a big shit storm when we all found out about it.
n.douglas
New member
yep, im very aware of gobis action with respect to their patent claims, hence my preference to not buy their products. one could argue those 2 racks had differences others would argue they look pretty similar.
sorry to get off topic svana, lmk if you have any questions about gamiviti or just reach out to tim at [email protected]
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I appreciate it. I looked at their site and it's not the style I'm looking for (flat rack). Looking for more of a basket type like the WMW/Gobi/Baja.
Ya I'd rather not clutter the thread with the Gobi stuff, got enough of those threads already.
Drunner97
New member
What happened with Joe in So Cal? I know he's super swamped right now, but last I heard he was shipping those racks. Actually ran into a guy that knows him a couple weeks ago and he showed me a picture of Joe's shop, it's slammed with rack and slider builds.
n.douglas
New member
yea i feel you on wanting a basket style, since thats what i had originally wanted as well when i started looking for a roof rack. i was really tempted to hit up infidel garage, which you mightve been referencing in your first post. i decided against bc i couldnt verify quality.
when i ran across gamiviti, i saw that you can run the expo bars up (basket style) or down. i thought i was set on running them up so i could have the basket rack i had wanted. when i met with tim and saw the racks, talked out options and my uses, it really made the most sense to run the bars down. mainly bc most of the things you store on a rack are going to be tied down anyway. i had wanted the basket style bc i thought it would hold things in place, but if ur strapping them down, theres really no need for a basket.
as a consilation to wanting a basket style rack, i went with the 3/4 grid which is welded under the cross bars so smaller objects will sit low and can be held in place between the cross bars. another big benefit of running the expo bars down, is it doesnt sit any higher than the factory roof rack so theres zero additional wind noise or affect on mpgs. lastly, a gobi style rack, from what ive read, weighs close to if not more than 100 lbs, where my gamiviti weighs 45 lbs.
i prob sound like im pushing gamiviti too hard a this point, but i wanted to share since i was in your same position 2 months ago. i hope you find what youre looking for!
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AdmiralAugbar
New member
[MENTION=135617]n.douglas[/MENTION] The only issue I have with gamiviti is the website page for the 4th gen 4runners is pretty confusing.. All the options show the same stock picture and there isn't really a great way to tell what the different models/options are exactly. A more user friendly update would go a long ways.
wadle5
New member
Again I wonder if he is doing this to stay off of Gobi's radar. I have never heard of him until this post. Really is a great rack and from the looks of it I would buy one any day.
I had been in touch with him and was really looking forward to it. We had discussed getting one custom made (different dimensions, etc.) but there'd be a wait. After the time period we got back in touch but didn't seem to remember our customization and he went radio silent afterwards after a couple attempts at communication. Took it as a sign that he wasn't interested in taking the project on.
Drunner97
New member
That sucks, but I've heard the same from a couple other guys too. I think he's just really swamped. [MENTION=134758]SoSoRunner[/MENTION] might be able to help get in touch with him if you're still interested in going that route.
I appreciate it. Soso was the one who originally put me in touch with him. Took me a few weeks to actually get in touch with him initially followed by him mentioning that he wouldn't be able to start work for about 8 weeks after that. Bummer to have waited that long to have it fall through but good for him on being busy. I definitely know he's not the only one - business is booming for these one man shop fabricators.
