Custom roof racks, safari racks

[Whitson Metalworks]

the gobi style wouldnt be a hard build, i just dont really like the way they have the expanded metal in the places they have it, just seems strange. is it really needed anyways? most of the stuff you'd put up there are things longer than a foot or so i would think- tents, chairs, bags, tires, etc... maybe its just me.

 

[jsmithjr732]

I think it's the look (low, ie stealth) and the length. Lots more room to store stuff, room for a RTT when you need it, etc.

Plus, having the rack end behind the sunroof sounds strange to me as the lights would be too far back. I would think the light beams would be cut off by the roof.

 

[scales]

Plus, having the rack end behind the sunroof sounds strange to me as the lights would be too far back. I would think the light beams would be cut off by the roof.

This is what is keeping me from making a decision on a rack. I want one for my '96, but I want to be able to use the sunroof as well as put lights on it. So the Gobi style would be awesome, and I would probably be looking to buy one at some point in the future.

 

[jsmithjr732]

I saw an ARB today at HD that had that look: room for a RTT but with a small basket over the sunroof. I took pictures and will upload them in a bit.

 

[StreetKill831]

the gobi style wouldnt be a hard build, i just dont really like the way they have the expanded metal in the places they have it, just seems strange. is it really needed anyways? most of the stuff you'd put up there are things longer than a foot or so i would think- tents, chairs, bags, tires, etc... maybe its just me.

If you notice there are normal supports going across as well. The expanded metal just makes it a bit more versatile. I would be very interested if you could replicate the gobi rack. Maybe a few changes as well like utilizing the space where the sunroof would be since I don't have one.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

i could do it for sure, but, the 83" length of the gobi is a problem since my affordable means of shipping limits length to 80". how does gobi ship? do they roll that into the astronomical cost of their racks?

 

[jsmithjr732]

Pictures of ARB rack for reference

Here's one showing the flat back area with a basket up front. Bars cross over the sunroof area, but it's still accessible. Room for lights up front, but probably couldn't fit jack on the side. Maybe a shovel.

I have the original resolution files if needed.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

looks good, and very buildable. i think gobi uses rubber padded stands for the front of their 3rd gen rack since theres no other way to support the very front, which i guess is ok i just hate stuff touching paint.

 

[azshtr]

I think it's the look (low, ie stealth) and the length. Lots more room to store stuff, room for a RTT when you need it, etc.

Plus, having the rack end behind the sunroof sounds strange to me as the lights would be too far back. I would think the light beams would be cut off by the roof.

I found that for my preference light on the front are better than the roof for this reason... lights above your eye level don't cast a shadow you can see and as a result flatten out the terrain, lights below do cast a seeable shadow and therefore show better the size of what you are seeing. I could see for high speed baja stuff the need to light up a long distance, but for most of our driving we don't need the extra height in our light. It does look cool though.

Of course one mans opinion

 

[jsmithjr732]

looks good, and very buildable. i think gobi uses rubber padded stands for the front of their 3rd gen rack since theres no other way to support the very front, which i guess is ok i just hate stuff touching paint.

Same here, however, I've used 3M film on cars before to go between my bike rack and the paint. This worked really well. You could include a few pieces with the rack aling with the padding. Weight would be limited though.

The FJ is nice as the rails go all the way to the front.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Always wanted to somehow show that these come out super tough but didn't know how. I built one for a Ford excursion and threw the drz on it lol. If you know about the drz, its a pig at right around 300 pounds ready to ride, and thats sitting on one square foot of space. Underneath I could see about an 1/8th of an inch of deflection. With a load spread out it would hold way more but then, who needs that much on their roof lol?

 

[3rd gen]

roof rack

I applaud Josh's workmanship. I bought the low profile rack he made for the 3rd gen 4runner. The Quality is awesome!!

Very satisfied. i would highly recommend him for a custom rack.

 

[02running]

I applaud Josh's workmanship. I bought the low profile rack he made for the 3rd gen 4runner. The Quality is awesome!!

Very satisfied. i would highly recommend him for a custom rack.

do you have a pic of the rack? i have a buddy with a thule rack and it sits too high for my liking. and whats the price for this rack

any plans to make roll bars for 3rd gen?

 

[farmerjon]

Man, these are quite possibly the coolest racks I've seen, I REALLY like what you've done... I'm considering a rack in the future, so if I ever get one, I will have to seriously consider yours...

Keep up the good work!

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Robert (3rd gen), i hope you dont mind me posting the pic you sent me, you have a great looking 4R! this is the low profile he was mentioning, mounted in place of the factory tracks. i build them to mount onto the tracks but it looks super clean without too.

 

[kac0825]

That looks great. Could you make one like that to cover the entire roof? Or is it too long that way? I still need to buy one, and these are awesome.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Sure, I could do a full length, check out the thread I started for a full length rack build based off the stealth. I'm almost ready to list that style too. Anyways, I'll entertain any ideas you may have.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Sure, I could do a full length, check out the thread I started for a full length rack build based off the stealth. I'm almost ready to list that style too. Anyways, I'll entertain any ideas you may have.

I probably missed it, but how much for a 2nd Gen (93 SR5) w/stock roof rack, and crossbars?

Would also like a light bar, tire mount, and a side mount for a hi-lift jack.

Also is it painted black, or power coated?

Zipcode - 25414 (shipping)

Thanks in advance.

:hello:

 

[azshtr]

Mine came in yesterday and it's perfect! I'm in the process of primer / paint / mounting. I'll post up pics when it's done.

Thanks for the great work!

BTW... what size bolts do the stock rail mounts use? Mine didn't have anything mounted to the rails.

:hatsoff:

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

That I honestly dont know, I'm not sure if they woupd be the same as 3rd gen or not. I want to say m6? Might just have to see if the hardware store will let you take a few out to try.