The_Green_Wang
New member
Hey guys! Thought I might share my homemade roof rack build I am doing with a friend. Still have not completed it but will update as I go. So Ive always planned on getting a roof rack in the near future and looked into all the different kinds of roof racks offered from universal ones to full length custom ones for the 4runner. I had planned on getting..for a lack of better term, one of the "main stream ones"but then decided it couldn't be to bad to make one. Talked about it and next thing I knew I was planning with a good friend that could weld (he made it seem soooo simple). I LOVE the full size roof racks but wanted something similar but different and unique with all the benefits combined that other racks had[emoji48]. Soo here goes...
planned it all out. Drew up a design and measured A LOT. Took off the OEM rails and made the feets for the rack. Eventually we will add rubber trim between the feet and the roof once its all painted.
Once we figured that out we went ahead and created the base. This was a pain as the roof of the 4runner naturally curves out. Got the correct measurements of where the base met the feet and tacked supports to hold it all together.
Then carried it to the back and created the end cross members to hold everything in place. Had to measure hundreds of times to ensure we passed the fin but could also clear the ladder. Also made sure the moon roof's opening was not going to be blocked. GF likes to stick her head out every so often.
From here on it was clear saiings...for a little. Added the rest of the cross members and tacked everything on. Welded the end cross members and began the second row. This was actually looking like a rack now. Made a gap in the middle to give it a different look...was all part of the plan (ran out of 3/4 square tubing [emoji28][emoji58])... can always add it later...
This is where things got tricky. We decided on making the front a little unique. This rack was not going to be the normal rectangle[emoji41][emoji6]. The front we had designed it to curve in at a 45 degree angle then another to meet the other side. We also wanted the wind deflector to wrap around the front and onto the sides while also keeping the front at a shallow angle then gradually getting steeper as it approaches the sides.
And... here I am... as of 11 DEC. We have to add a few more pieces to the front to make it look more fluent and flush as well as weld and grind any holes so wind doesn't seep through and create a whistle. Going to add the mesh above the cross members and add a few brackets for the 4 8inch LED bars coming in and any future attachments (awning, tent, tools, and moooorrree lights!) Heres a little drawing I did with my Note 8 to give you all an idea [emoji4]
So far its been a blast and no this was not all done in a day, looks like it with the pictures. Been working on this for about 3 week...ends. still deciding on what to paint it with.. or just get it sand blasted but all should be complete before christmas week. [emoji318]
Feel free to chime in! Comment, correct, ideas, etc, I'm all ears![emoji101]
planned it all out. Drew up a design and measured A LOT. Took off the OEM rails and made the feets for the rack. Eventually we will add rubber trim between the feet and the roof once its all painted.
Once we figured that out we went ahead and created the base. This was a pain as the roof of the 4runner naturally curves out. Got the correct measurements of where the base met the feet and tacked supports to hold it all together.
Then carried it to the back and created the end cross members to hold everything in place. Had to measure hundreds of times to ensure we passed the fin but could also clear the ladder. Also made sure the moon roof's opening was not going to be blocked. GF likes to stick her head out every so often.
From here on it was clear saiings...for a little. Added the rest of the cross members and tacked everything on. Welded the end cross members and began the second row. This was actually looking like a rack now. Made a gap in the middle to give it a different look...was all part of the plan (ran out of 3/4 square tubing [emoji28][emoji58])... can always add it later...
This is where things got tricky. We decided on making the front a little unique. This rack was not going to be the normal rectangle[emoji41][emoji6]. The front we had designed it to curve in at a 45 degree angle then another to meet the other side. We also wanted the wind deflector to wrap around the front and onto the sides while also keeping the front at a shallow angle then gradually getting steeper as it approaches the sides.
And... here I am... as of 11 DEC. We have to add a few more pieces to the front to make it look more fluent and flush as well as weld and grind any holes so wind doesn't seep through and create a whistle. Going to add the mesh above the cross members and add a few brackets for the 4 8inch LED bars coming in and any future attachments (awning, tent, tools, and moooorrree lights!) Heres a little drawing I did with my Note 8 to give you all an idea [emoji4]
So far its been a blast and no this was not all done in a day, looks like it with the pictures. Been working on this for about 3 week...ends. still deciding on what to paint it with.. or just get it sand blasted but all should be complete before christmas week. [emoji318]
Feel free to chime in! Comment, correct, ideas, etc, I'm all ears![emoji101]
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