Roof basket/rack mounts. Help me brain storm.

[poser]

I've been putting some thought into building a full length basket for the roof of the 'ol 4runner. 3/4" square tube is inexpensive and easy enough to bend, and I'm an adequate welder.

Where I'm stumped, or undecided, is how specifically to mount it.
Do I mount it to the rails?
Do I remove the rails and use the threaded holes the rail mounted to? If so, what should I use to make it water tight?
How do I mount it to the front with out putting new holes in?

If you have a full length rack, and don't mind, take and post pics of the mounts.
Thanks!

 

[Toy2play]

I've been putting some thought into building a full length basket for the roof of the 'ol 4runner. 3/4" square tube is inexpensive and easy enough to bend, and I'm an adequate welder.

Where I'm stumped, or undecided, is how specifically to mount it.
Do I mount it to the rails?
Do I remove the rails and use the threaded holes the rail mounted to? If so, what should I use to make it water tight?
How do I mount it to the front with out putting new holes in?

If you have a full length rack, and don't mind, take and post pics of the mounts.
Thanks!

I just posted my full length rack on the thread below. I have some pictures of mounting and created a couple front legs for the front. It holds weight well. Maybe it will give you some ideas.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/224557-inexpensive-full-length-roof-rack-curt-rack.html

 

[Mados]

I have a Curt with one extension and I copied these mounts.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66978-roof-rola-basket-custom-mounts.html
You will want to use some silicone a seal the joints on the rack to prevent rust. Also made a larger fairing out of acrylic.

 

[TXLX1]

I just finished up my roof rack. I used the captive sliding nuts like many have, and a spacer to get the clearance I needed off the roof.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61791-best-roof-rack-5.html#post2409995 Post #70

 

[Jedrattle]

When I built my rack, I used a piece of 2in x 3/16in flat steel bolted in place of the stock rack and built off of that. At the front I had a leg at each side. Some silicone on the bolts and foam rubber between the body and the rack with no problems

 

[stevets]

Ive built a couple racks using 3/4 " conduit. I buy the 90 degree pieces pre bent and fab internal lugs at all the connection points using 3/4 galvanized pipe. I shit can the whole stock rack and use 2" x 3/16 flats to mount in the factory screw holes.
The tricky part is that you have a compound curve so I start with the flats mounted and following the roof contours. Then make the feet with angled bottoms and notched tops that give you a flat, level, platform to set the actual rack on. This has been the most time consuming part of the projects.

Ive run a bead of clear silicon before the final bolt down and it seems to be holding up. I've put on maybe 10'000 miles this year- most of them with a roof top tent mounted.

 

[Azn Occassion]

These are awesome ideas I definitely want to do something Similar as [MENTION=143467]Toy2play[/MENTION]


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[RunningA3rdGen]

I built my own near full length basket out of square tube. I originally used the original oem rails and that went very badly. The basket kept banging against the roof. I ordered some cheap rails off amazon and cut the original rails off and jerry rigged steel rails on and now it sits still and stays quiet all the time. As far as mounting I used some steel plate and used a drill press to put holes through for the bolts. I welded a plate to the underside of the basket in four spots to attach to the rails and then used the matching plates on the underside and just used grade 5 hardware and bolted it on. also used some rubber sheet to keep from sliding and so far it hasn't moved an inch.

I can grab some pictures later if you want

 

[poser]

I built my own near full length basket out of square tube. I originally used the original oem rails and that went very badly. The basket kept banging against the roof. I ordered some cheap rails off amazon and cut the original rails off and jerry rigged steel rails on and now it sits still and stays quiet all the time. As far as mounting I used some steel plate and used a drill press to put holes through for the bolts. I welded a plate to the underside of the basket in four spots to attach to the rails and then used the matching plates on the underside and just used grade 5 hardware and bolted it on. also used some rubber sheet to keep from sliding and so far it hasn't moved an inch.

I can grab some pictures later if you want

yeah if you don't mind, that would be helpful
thanks!

 

[Frost4runner]

New to this forums stuff. Hopefully this helps. Used factory rail inserts and stainless bolts. About $75 in metal and 6 hours of work.

Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk

 

[poser]

New to this forums stuff. Hopefully this helps. Used factory rail inserts and stainless bolts. About $75 in metal and 6 hours of work.

Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk

This is great! That's exactly the direction I was thinking about going.
Thanks!

What size square tube is that? 3/4"?

 

[Frost4runner]

3/4 square tube. Mounting plates are 2"x1/4 plate. Make the rack and plates, bolt the plates on put your stand pieces on and set the rack. Then tack it up really good. Take it off to finish welding. The roofs are not flat so test fit and tack together.

Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk

 

[Marvinm]

Ive built a couple racks using 3/4 " conduit. I buy the 90 degree pieces pre bent and fab internal lugs at all the connection points using 3/4 galvanized pipe. I shit can the whole stock rack and use 2" x 3/16 flats to mount in the factory screw holes.
The tricky part is that you have a compound curve so I start with the flats mounted and following the roof contours. Then make the feet with angled bottoms and notched tops that give you a flat, level, platform to set the actual rack on. This has been the most time consuming part of the projects.

Ive run a bead of clear silicon before the final bolt down and it seems to be holding up. I've put on maybe 10'000 miles this year- most of them with a roof top tent mounted.

Do you have any pics of this build? Sounds like an easy enough build since I don’t have a welder thanks

 

[Joelzy]

well crap, i was just getting to like my 4R without a rack and then you go and post something like this... guess i have to try and build one of these now