Custom roof rack
- Thread starter Brownfaux
- Start date
Love the idea, I was reasearching the same thing this past week. If anyone has plans to build something like the ones pictured in the begining of this thread that would be awsome. How dows the sun roof opening work?
Would it be worth it to buy the ARB Roof Rack Mount Kit and build from there? I would buy a complete rack from ARB or GOBI or something comparable, but im in south america and shipping would be deadly.
Thanks for the insights and help!
Would it be worth it to buy the ARB Roof Rack Mount Kit and build from there? I would buy a complete rack from ARB or GOBI or something comparable, but im in south america and shipping would be deadly.
Thanks for the insights and help!
darkie3495
Moderator
The mounts are bent parallel to the edge and the angle is compensated with the curvature of the rack. you could always just make the mounts first and built the rack around it.
The cut out in the rack allows you to climb up onto the roof from the front seats. I also designed a floor extension to cover the sunroof for added storage space but high enough to still allow the sunroof to tilt.
the ARB mount system IIRC uses a laser cut piece of steel that rides along the rain gutter while using the stock mounting location. If you are fabbing your own rack, you might as well do the mounts as well. I've seen someone that took a 2"x4" rectangular tube and cut it in half length wise and used the "|_|" as mounts and built a basket around the mounts.
Thanks for the help, do you happen to have any measurments or additional pics that i can go off of? I really like your rack and want it to have at least 6 mounts as well as cover the sun roof with your removable extension that sounds like a great idea. Hope you dont mind me trying to copy your ideas!
darkie3495
Moderator
Not at all. Unfortunately, I don't have all the original measurements or the backup files. I do however have a few pictures to help you with some ideas.
Measurements of the stock mount positions:
Overall rack with the removable sunroof extension:
Profile:
Ok, after some thought, I've decided to go a different route from the entire custom idea.
I went to take apart the stock rack and crossbars to store them, and then I realized I could use the tracks inside the rails.
So now, it's much simpler.
1/8 inch pieces of flat metal with holes for the mounting screws. I took the square bolts out of the factory crossbars so I can use the factory crossbar screws.
Then I'm going to weld tubing to the plates that it equivalent to Yakima size bars.
A little paint and it will be a functional low profile rack without having to buy clips and adaptors and crap.
Next I figure I'll weld a basket, and a way to mount my fairing up ahead of the factory rails, not set back so far
I went to take apart the stock rack and crossbars to store them, and then I realized I could use the tracks inside the rails.
So now, it's much simpler.
1/8 inch pieces of flat metal with holes for the mounting screws. I took the square bolts out of the factory crossbars so I can use the factory crossbar screws.
Then I'm going to weld tubing to the plates that it equivalent to Yakima size bars.
A little paint and it will be a functional low profile rack without having to buy clips and adaptors and crap.
Next I figure I'll weld a basket, and a way to mount my fairing up ahead of the factory rails, not set back so far
Finished it up today. It went from being simple, to more complicated to try and shape the brackets, to back to simple.
The welds on my first one were ugly and cold, so the third time ended up being the charm.
This is really just a cheap way to throw round bars on the rack, without having to use the yakima rail grabber which adds so much height.
To secure the brackets, I am using the factory rack screws, with some metal/rubber washers.
The welds on my first one were ugly and cold, so the third time ended up being the charm.
This is really just a cheap way to throw round bars on the rack, without having to use the yakima rail grabber which adds so much height.
To secure the brackets, I am using the factory rack screws, with some metal/rubber washers.
trailrazer
New member
Great post and nice looking rack. I've been wanting a nice rack without paying that high price. I'm just missing a tubing bender. This does give me an idea to build my own rock sliders. I'll probably do that sometime this summer.
Red
Member
whitson metalworks makes a nice rack on the cheaper side.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/137751-wmw-full-length-rack-4th-gen-toyota-4runner-s.html
