Custom Roof Rack Feet

[Guydudebro]

I will be taking this rack off my Cruiser and putting it on the 3rd gen Hilux Surf which only has the silly proxy factory tracks. Anyone have any ideas as to a foot solution to mount the racks crossbars? I was looking at the Surco CH 100 feet but getting them to Japan is an issue. I'm thinking I may have to have some mounts made up. Any thoughts...?

 

[BeachWagon]

Unfortunately I don't have an answer for you, but wanted to say that is a sweet looking Prado!

 

[Guydudebro]

Ah...the 3l Prado....It is a great little and trustworthy truck. 220,000K and nary an issue but it's time for a change and I got a Surf for a good price and thought I'd give it a try for a few years or more. I can always get another Prado or better yet a proper 70 later.
I'm not liking the cheap mounting tracks of the Surf and hope it's not a representation of the truck in general. Anyway, custom feet look like a tough proposition with all the curving of the roof. :twitch:

 

[JWaldz]

Must be nice to just go out and buy a surf or prado... GRRRR!!!!


Us USA citizens can't have any Toyota diesel fun

 

[Guydudebro]

Must be nice to just go out and buy a surf or prado... GRRRR!!!!


Us USA citizens can't have any Toyota diesel fun

Oh.. there are plenty of cases of mutual envy I'm sure. After 20 or so years of living here I certainly have my fair share. Care to send me some Tundra rotors and calipers??:rapture: I've been Toyota and Nissan diesel for many many years and this gasser Surf is going to be interesting to see if I like the change.

 

[JWaldz]

lol I think the brakes are a little easier to send over than oh say a prado cruiser!

 

[Guydudebro]

Haha......in that light I have it pretty good I guess..:bravo:

That 25 year rule sure is a brick wall for getting all the goodness to be had over here for sure.

 

[BeachWagon]

You may be able to strike a deal with folks on here of some swaps, you find some used parts at good deal for Surfs, and get someone to get you some Tundra brakes?!

 

[Guydudebro]

Is there really anything from a Surf that would be worth importing? I buy and sell a lot of stuff on Yahoo auctions and most of the Surf listings (and there are many) are mostly cosmetic parts most of this group wouldn't be too interested in (I'm assuming).

Honestly, if and/or when I get that serious about modding this Surf's brake system I'll pick up the parts on my annual trip back to Canada or have a buddy send the parts surface.

 

[Guydudebro]

Back to the rack....

Even if I can't use my cross bars, which it looks like I can't, is there a system that uses square bars and a foot that uses the factory tracks?

 

[JWaldz]

Yakima has round bars and feet with or without locking clips that fit the factory tracks. I don't see why they wouldn't work. Again though, you have to deal with shipping. Maybe try to find an ebay user selling what you need that ships international. Might be a long shot, but it's worth trying.

 

[Guydudebro]

Thanks for the help ARKRWLR.. Ya..I saw the Yakima system and have been scouring this site for other ideas but not much available that isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg for shipping.
I was tailing a nice 4th gen Surf around here a few days ago with some kind of custom foot and rail system that wasn't factory but I couldn't get a close-up of it before we went off in different directions. I'll have to keep a lookout for it and flag him down.

 

[4x4mike]

It looks like you have Thule gutter mount feet and bars on your roof. Thule does/did make feet that fit the 4Runner/Surf. Find the correct ones and your Thule bars will fit into them. The newer feet that run in factory rails are much shorter than your gutter mounts so that may take some getting used to.

I'm not sure what year you're looking at or what is has or doesn't have on the roof but here is what I'm running. I have the Yakima version of what I described above.
Google Images

 

[drabbits]

dude, i just started fabricating new mounts (feet) that would work on various 4R's yesterday! I have an idea, but i think the shipping alone wouldn't make it worth our time. look at this link.
check out how many countries they won't ship to including two of our own states, beautiful Hawai'i and Alaska, YET they don't mention not shipping to Japan.....
Surco CH100 Roof Rack Adapter Safari Basket Steel Black Clamp on Kit | eBay
I can make what you need but just the cost of materials and shipping is pricey.
Also check with Whitson Metalworks (member) he might have a inexpensive solution.
laters

 

[Guydudebro]

="https://www.google.com/search?q=locking+rail+rider&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=WXlMUf_kB9HyigLX6oGQCw&ved=0CEMQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=625http://"]Google Images[/URL][/QUOTE]

Thanks Mike, This is not a Thule system. The feet are some Japanese off brand like Tufreq. The cross bars are aluminum bar stock that I made up with threaded steel inserts. The Yakima feet look great but not sold on the round bars.

dude, i just started fabricating new mounts (feet) that would work on various 4R's yesterday! I have an idea, but i think the shipping alone wouldn't make it worth our time. look at this link.
check out how many countries they won't ship to including two of our own states, beautiful Hawai'i and Alaska, YET they don't mention not shipping to Japan.....
Surco CH100 Roof Rack Adapter Safari Basket Steel Black Clamp on Kit | eBay
I can make what you need but just the cost of materials and shipping is pricey.
Also check with Whitson Metalworks (member) he might have a inexpensive solution.
laters

Drabbits,,, thanks. Yes, I was looking at the Surco kit and it looks like a very viable option. I'll have to contact the seller to see if he'll ship but I have a sneaky suspicion he won't. Could you give a little more info on your mounts? Doesn't matter what I do...shipping is going to be significant. Let me know..Cheers.

 

[drabbits]

guy, my mounts are typically low profile, 1.5" wide by 4" long made out of 1/8" steel. the way they mount to the T4R rails are not that dissimilar to the Surco's. I'll have some tac welded together on Saturday and upload some pics for you. also FYI the USPS charges $23.+ for international packages under 4 #'s.