Roof Rack for Bare Roof 2007 4Runner

[dhg]

I have a 2007 4Runner with a bare roof. I would like to install a Thule track system which requires drilling into the sheet metal and intalling expansion bolts, but Thule does not have recomended locations to drill for this vehicle. I am trying to figure out the best places to drill holes in the roof and want to avoid any mistakes for obivious reasons.........

Does anyone know where the support beams are located in the roof?

Thanks for the help!

 

[BCfish]

There should be some holes under the black plastic strip on the roof in the gutter once you pry it up. AFAIK

 

[dhg]

The pre drilled holes work well with the factory racks but do not work for the Thule track system (see Thule*-*TP54 54" Tracks with Flare-Nut fastners).

I think the best place to install is on the metal roof next to the black strips similar to the racks for 3rd Gen 4Runnders.

My concern is that I do not want to drill into the roll support bars inbeded into the roof because the flarenut fasteners will not work correctly and holes could reduce the safety value of the support.

Thanks

 

[gaterose]

It seems like that would work fine with the stock holes but you would have to drill new holes through the Thule tracks and use bolts that fit the stock holes.

If you're worried about the end caps you could cut the rack shorter to the necessary length use the end caps with the new holes, or just put a screw upside down through the end cap part.

It seems like that way would be stronger, less work, and easier to revert to stock when you sell it.

In my experience those flare nuts don't work as well as advertised. I've used them for several things in the past with car body parts and had several strip out, pull through, get loose so the bolt wouldn't tighten or loosen (the flare nut just rotated in the hole).

edit- with the flare nuts you're also putting a lot of weight on a small surface area of pretty thin metal.

 

[dhg]

That is good info that the flare nuts do not work well. The thule track is not long enough to span the predrilled holes for the factory rack. I will have to work on another solution than the thule tracks.

I have found a couple of aftermarket racks such as those made by Gobi Racks
They seem nice but are much more expensive that the thule alternative. Does anyone have experience with other aftermarket racks for 4th gen 4runners?

 

[4RChappy]

I've been roof rack user for a long time. When I got T4R I decided to give the hitch rack a try. No regrets, it tilts out of the way for easy access to the rear.

 

[ToddDaugherty]

Never use flare nuts on thin metal surfaces. They would work fine for light duty items, but with the luggage and wind resistance going down the road, It will put to much stress on them. Ive lost luggage off of a roof rack.. Its no fun.