DIY Roof Rack

[On Point]

Has anyone see or done this type of rack on a 5th gen?

The J-Rack

I cannot justify spending the amount of money these companies are charging for their racks. All that we need are custom "feet" to mount it in the existing roof holes. Thoughts?

 

[Apex Overland]

I built my own rack. less than half the cost for a bought rack.

 

[On Point]

I built my own rack. less than half the cost for a bought rack.

Yours came out great!! Unfortunately I do not know how to weld, nor do I own a welder.

 

[Jetboy]

What do you plan to carry?

http://www.amazon.com/Curt-18115-Ro...UTF8&qid=1428156822&sr=8-1&keywords=roof+rack these are only about $100-125 and should be easy with just a little work to mount to your factory rack rails. All you need is a short length of steel or aluminum angle and some hardware.

If you want to carry big weight up there - I'm not sure the 4runner body is up to the task. There's a reason land cruisers are better suited to expedition use - one of them is traditionally more robust roof rack support. I don't know what the 5th gen has hiding behind the roof interior panels, but if it's anything like my 3rd gen - you'll need some fabrication time to beef up the roof structure for more than a 2-300lbs up there. It's nothing like the weight capacity of an fj80 rails.

 

[Apex Overland]

Yours came out great!! Unfortunately I do not know how to weld, nor do I own a welder.

go by a local metal fabrication shop, you will be surprised how cheap some shops can make stuff for. take some pictures with you to show them what you want and see what they have to say.

 

[On Point]

What do you plan to carry?

http://www.amazon.com/Curt-18115-Ro...UTF8&qid=1428156822&sr=8-1&keywords=roof+rack these are only about $100-125 and should be easy with just a little work to mount to your factory rack rails. All you need is a short length of steel or aluminum angle and some hardware.

If you want to carry big weight up there - I'm not sure the 4runner body is up to the task. There's a reason land cruisers are better suited to expedition use - one of them is traditionally more robust roof rack support. I don't know what the 5th gen has hiding behind the roof interior panels, but if it's anything like my 3rd gen - you'll need some fabrication time to beef up the roof structure for more than a 2-300lbs up there. It's nothing like the weight capacity of an fj80 rails.

I was planning on a rooftop tent. That would be the heaviest thing I put up there.

 

[ryan87]

I have about $100 in materials on this one

 

[Jetboy]

I was planning on a rooftop tent. That would be the heaviest thing I put up there.

I don't think the factory mount locations are up to the task based on how soft the rack is on mine. I think you'll want more feet than just the 4 corner. is certainly doable but I'd want to at least try for 6 feet. One option to consider would be some feet that are just load support and not bolted on. Pads that sit on patches of clear bra in the right spots could help support you at night with weight of people in the tent.