If you have a roof rack, looking for design opinions

[My 4R]

Working on a rack design for my 4R and was wondering what features you guys like. Have you seen the need for tie-downs or net hooks or??????. I wanted a flat rack look, but will design a removable top bar. Going to SEMA first part of Nov, so might see some ideas then as well.

Anyways, here is what I got put together so far. The front hoop for the wind deflector is a little overkill, but I'll work out something a little thinner later on.
Let me know what features you guys have run across that I might want to incorporate.

 

[Antman]

I like your design, but what do you plan on hauling up there, bricks? Why so many crossbars- you could eliminate 3 of them and still be plenty strong. One other thing you may want to check, the 4runner roof isn't flat. If you want the rack to contour to the roofline, you will have to match that profile. Planning on mounting any lights/LED's?

I have strapped quite a bit up there from lumber to full gas cans and ratchet strap everything to the tubing, or mesh with no problems (I have the Gobi Stealth). I don't see why anyone would see a need for dedicated tie down points- the entire rack is a tiedown area!

Good luck with your project, looks like it's going to be a fun one!

 

[SigSense]

I like the additional crossbars in your design for support/inherent strength. I've been researching racks similar to yours. The use of perforated aluminum sheeting would make it VERY strong, as seen in the pic (from another site). All depends on the intended use. I intend to mount a roof top tent (RTT), and seek a flat surface. Also use it for two-plus person viewing and/or photography platform.

 

[Titanpat57]

My thoughts keep going back to a square tube rack that will fit over the existing TE roof rails (which I think will hold more than the Limited or SR by design) and is easily removed, yet sturdy.

I say square tube because I want to use a tie down system on the sides, a spare tire mounting in the middle, and room for 2 -4 gal. Rotopax up front. I also want tabs for 2 -Rigid Ind. SR 10" LED's.

Here's a pic of the tie down and a link

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Ratch...rline-Track-12-Aluminum-Finish-Logistic-Track




Great designs guys, I especially love the stamped aluminum product, makes great sense.... I like heavy built, it never disappoints....

 

[My 4R]

Thanks for the feedback. I will probably be able to reduce the number of crossbars, but until I run the analysis on how much its going to flex, I added a few extra. I do plan on putting a LED array up on top eventually. That is why I had the solid plate up front. I have one on the bottom as well to conceal all the wiring and mounting hardware.

Sig, who makes the rack in your picture? I really like the stamped metal on that one vs the expanded metal.

I'm waiting on my TE rack to be delivered (I have an SR5). Once I have it, I had planned on designing a rack to fit the TE as Titan suggested (something like the extended Rola with the mounting height modified. But the price of the Rola would be hard to beat, so I'm not sure how that will work out. Just looking at options.

 

[Titanpat57]

I'll post up a concept pic I have on Sketch Up on my work computer Monday.

As far as the cross rails in yours, I don'think they're over done at all..but I'm no engineer.....nice job:hungry:

 

[SigSense]

My4R, that rack pictured is not in production yet. I found it while researching full roof racks. You can read the designer's story here:

New Roof Rack-from Texas - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

I do not know, nor am I affiliated with him. Mods, if posting that link is not allowed, please punish me accordingly.

 

[My 4R]

Changed the design a little. After reviewing the thread on the Rola rack modified to sit low on the factory rails, I'm thinking I will take this and make it fit between the factory roof rails (what Titan is investigating). Same basic design, just tweaked to mount to the factory system.

 

[Titanpat57]

Very nice, great concepts..just remember the rails have different measurments between the front of the bars and the rears (3/4" IIRC) The wider point being in the front.

My goal was to make the difference up with a 3/8" or so spacer in the front brackets.

I apologize I didn't put it up yet, been crazy at work.

Thanks for posting them,

Pat

 

[Titanpat57]

The pictures as promised...albeit late.

The rack was designed for a spare, Hi-Lift, and 2 -4 gal. Rotopax

The angles and material dimesions are the same used on my custom built steps. The LED's are based off Rigid 10"SR.

The brackets don't show to connect to the existing TE rack, but I'm sure once the metal starts flying it'll get figured out quick...

 

[My 4R]

Cool rack.......how do you like using sketchup? I hear its pretty decent considering the price FREE FREE FREE. I'm sure its worth it considering what I pay for flippin' Solidworks and Catia. Cant wait to finish the design up on mine after I get my TE roof rack in. Post up your progress, would like to see it!

 

[Titanpat57]

Cool rack.......how do you like using sketchup? I hear its pretty decent considering the price FREE FREE FREE. I'm sure its worth it considering what I pay for flippin' Solidworks and Catia. Cant wait to finish the design up on mine after I get my TE roof rack in. Post up your progress, would like to see it!

It's very cool....I just dabble it in though.

If a guy like yourself that can obviously design and draw fools with it, I think you'd like it!. I'll get a seperate thread going on the build stage....which I keep going back and forth on, after seeing jonessyy's rack...lol

 

[joneseyyy]

I have a nice rack! Sorry, couldn't resist. Carry on.

 

[My 4R]

I'm surprised it took someone that long hahaha........... carrying on

 

[SigSense]

I have a nice rack!

Pics?

 

[Titanpat57]

Final draft with Spare, rotopax, Hi-lift, shovel, MaxTrax

 

[My 4R]

Finally got my TE rails installed so I could model them up and see how to integrate the rack. What a mess!!!!!! Rails narrow front to back and have a compound curve top to bottom. Anyways, I thought about tapering the rack to match the TE rails, but I don't think it will be that bad leaving the rack width parallel. Front mounts will be a little different than rear mounts.