Inexpensive Full Length Roof Rack (Curt Rack)

[Toy2play]

The Curt basket was just a little wider than the rails, which I wasn't expecting. I had planned on just drilling and bolting to the existing rail nuts and using spacers. It's going to require a bit more fab, so I'm off to the hardware store. With one side setting in place, the other side sets like this:
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I should of specified in my orginal post that the rackdoesnt align up exact with the rails. It was such a small amount that i got it to work fine. I drilled the holes just a tad bit off center on the rack tubing, not much though. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your rack.

 

[cstmg8]

I should of specified in my orginal post that the rackdoesnt align up exact with the rails. It was such a small amount that i got it to work fine. I drilled the holes just a tad bit off center on the rack tubing, not much though. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your rack.

I got the rack mounted, and I'm happy with it, but it's more of a test fit. I think I'm going to go your route and mount some 1.5" square tube on the rails for just a little more clearance at the moon roof. It'll look a lot better with my suspension goodies on the way from wheelers!

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[Toy2play]

I got the rack mounted, and I'm happy with it, but it's more of a test fit. I think I'm going to go your route and mount some 1.5" square tube on the rails for just a little more clearance at the moon roof. It'll look a lot better with my suspension goodies on the way from wheelers!

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Looks great! Love the lower profile. Really ties in with everything.

 

[StockyStock]

Beware though, I've had one for roughly 4 months and live in CO, the coating on it isn't the best so prep for rust by applying a new coating or something

 

[AZBub]

So i have 2 extensions and one basket ready. I'm opting for 1" square steel tube with 2 cross braces. welding basket together and to the square then painting with rustoleum. have stainless steel feet with rubber pad as well. it's all going together Sunday. i'll try to remember some very specific measurements for anyone else wanting to do this. i got a massive OZ Tent going up there so wanted a little extra strength.


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[cstmg8]

So i have 2 extensions and one basket ready. I'm opting for 1" square steel tube with 2 cross braces. welding basket together and to the square then painting with rustoleum. have stainless steel feet with rubber pad as well. it's all going together Sunday. i'll try to remember some very specific measurements for anyone else wanting to do this. i got a massive OZ Tent going up there so wanted a little extra strength.


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I'll end up going this route also, my current setup is fine, but I'm not happy with the look of individual stands/shims. One piece of tubing will look better and be stronger, but will still require shimming. The racks are not flat. I may wait and go with full instead of 3/4 at that point.

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[AZBub]

So I got all the Curt rack parts from Amazon Warehouse. Under $40 for each extension and under $80 for the main rack.

Did a little fitment and am happy to say if you want the versatility of an OzTent it will 100% fit the rack perfect. I have an RV-4 but its also the exact same closed up footprint of the RV-5.

Decided to stick with the Aluminum after all, steel is just too heavy and triple the $$ of aluminum. Im still going to have the rack welded together and then have the plates welded on the sides as well so its much stiffer. Then some paint.

Ill post the complete pic and if I did anything different. during assembly.

 

[AZBub]

So i ended up following the steps in OP, it was just easier. Only exception is I had the rack welded together. Thanks for sharing this great idea! Saved a TON of money and quite frankly the rack is VERY solid.

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[bawalkerr]

Hi everyone, new here and just purchased a 3rd gen 4Runner. Looking into roof racks and wondering if anyone has any update on the Curt. I️ have read several reviews on Amazon complaining about rust, and was wondering if any of you using them have experienced the same?


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[kfriede]

Can anyone input on how these hold up over time? With weight, rust, etc?

 

[TonyB66]

Can anyone input on how these hold up over time? With weight, rust, etc?

Over time, will take time... The first units are still in transit. That said, Alex and team have been using them for some time now I believe...

And, since they are aluminum, rust will not be a factor. Hardware I believe is stainless steel.

 

[kfriede]

Over time, will take time... The first units are still in transit. That said, Alex and team have been using them for some time now I believe...

And, since they are aluminum, rust will not be a factor. Hardware I believe is stainless steel.

That's a good point, I forgot that they're probably aluminum. Thanks, might me next on my mod list.

 

[TonyB66]

That's a good point, I forgot that they're probably aluminum. Thanks, might me next on my mod list.

Full length steel racks are like 80 pounds, this one, less than 40.

A neat little tidbit... I recently removed the five cross pieces on the stock rack, leaving just the rails. This rack I believe mounts to those factory rails. Those removed cross pieces are about 10 pounds (9.8 lbs). So, the actual weight delta for this rack is less than 30 pounds as compared to stock.

 

[kfriede]

Full length steel racks are like 80 pounds, this one, less than 40.

A neat little tidbit... I recently removed the five cross pieces on the stock rack, leaving just the rails. This rack I believe mounts to those factory rails. Those removed cross pieces are about 10 pounds (9.8 lbs). So, the actual weight delta for this rack is less than 30 pounds as compared to stock.

I do like the low-profile look anyways. That's a nice bonus!

 

[TmAnBuIcK]

Full length steel racks are like 80 pounds, this one, less than 40.

A neat little tidbit... I recently removed the five cross pieces on the stock rack, leaving just the rails. This rack I believe mounts to those factory rails. Those removed cross pieces are about 10 pounds (9.8 lbs). So, the actual weight delta for this rack is less than 30 pounds as compared to stock.

I've got a 5th gen limited with stock rails and no crossbars. Will/How will the curt mount up?

 

[TonyB66]

I've got a 5th gen limited with stock rails and no crossbars. Will/How will the curt mount up?

Trevor, I have no idea on the 5th gens.

 

[drtyjerz47]

I've received a few comments on my rack I built out of the Curt Rack that you purchase on Amazon for fairly cheap.

Old thread, I know, hopefully you can still help. Would I still need those landing legs you put on there to run 1 extension.
Its going on a 5th gen and I don't want to run 2 ext. Because of the sun roof
This is the most budget friendly set up that doesn't have a 6" high basket

 

[Nooga_Rock]

Full length steel racks are like 80 pounds, this one, less than 40.

A neat little tidbit... I recently removed the five cross pieces on the stock rack, leaving just the rails. This rack I believe mounts to those factory rails. Those removed cross pieces are about 10 pounds (9.8 lbs). So, the actual weight delta for this rack is less than 30 pounds as compared to stock.

Can you post some pics of this? I think id prefer to do only one or no extensions to avoid drilling a hole in the roof and being able to mount on factory rail would be great.

 

[TonyB66]

Can you post some pics of this? I think id prefer to do only one or no extensions to avoid drilling a hole in the roof and being able to mount on factory rail would be great.

I'd post a picture if I had one.

The rack cross pieces I was referring to are everything on the stock rack that traverses from one side to the other (left / right). What's left are two "rails" or "channels" running front to back on each side... Hopefully that helps a little.

 

[Nooga_Rock]

I'd post a picture if I had one.

The rack cross pieces I was referring to are everything on the stock rack that traverses from one side to the other (left / right). What's left are two "rails" or "channels" running front to back on each side... Hopefully that helps a little.

Okay gotcha. Some people earlier in the thread mentioned that the rack is a little bit too wide and doesn't sit level. Was just wondering if you figured out another way.