Roof Rack Options? No OEM Rack

[Chandler_Ross]

So, I've searched many times and cant find anyone who documented what they did in this situation. Except CoB. So I've got the black plastic strips and pre-drilled hoes for the roof rack. I'm wanting to get some sort of basket, not sure on any brands yet. Should I just get the OEM rack from a junk yard or something? They're so hard to find around here! Are there any aftermarket baskets/racks that mount without the stock cross bars and rails? I saw someone with a Thule rack that looked like it attached in the door jambs. Not sure how well that would work with a basket...

 

[AZTOY]

Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924

 

[hrt4me]

I have for sale four (4) Yakima locking Q towers and two (2) 48" rods from my 4Runner, which did not have the factory roof rack....

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

your best bet would be to source some good used rails, it will give you so many more options AND help spread any load you put on the roof as it is one flexxy mo-fo.

 

[nobb]

I had a really hard time finding rails and crossbar for my 3rd gen. I just ended up buying 2 steel square tubing pieces, some PVC spacers, bolts, and u-bolts (to hold the roof basket onto the DIY roof rack). Cost me $30.

I drilled the necessary holes, spaced properly, in each steel square tubing piece and ran them parallel to the vehicle. Then I threaded a bolt through the drilled holes, past a PVC spacer, and screwed into the existing pre-drilled holes in the roof. Put a dab of silicone and threadlock too for good measure.

This method ended up being better than going with the OEM rails + crossbar too, because it's a bit lower on height so I could just about squeeze into most parkades.

I dont have good pics of the DIY roof rack itself, but you can kind of see it in this picture:

 

[Xetabur]

I have 4 Thule crossbars and mounts that I'm not using if your interested.

 

[Chandlerdoom]

Since you have the plastic rails you can use yakima control towers that will slide onto the rail and lock in place

Or you can use Q towers that go in the door jam

It depends if you want a basket in the back (control towers) or basket in the front (Q towers) but if you want a full length basket you have to have one set of each (preferably 2 sets of either and 1 set of the other so it can handler the load better)

I have a yakima load warrior with 2 extensions ( read full lenght basket) and use 2 sets of Q towers for the door jambs and one set of control towers that slides onto the factory rails. That way I have 3 cross bars to support the weight of the basket evenly

If you choose to go with Thule or Yakima try to buy whatever you can used, you'll save a lot of money that way

 

[Chandler_Ross]

So its looking like Q towers are my best option. I would try to buy from a forum member but I'm afraid of shipping costs. Seems like theres no one on here close to me. lol. and to clarify, I don't even have the rails. Just two plastic strips/covers that are used to cover where the factory rails would have gone.

 

[hrt4me]

So its looking like Q towers are my best option. I would try to buy from a forum member but I'm afraid of shipping costs. Seems like theres no one on here close to me. lol. and to clarify, I don't even have the rails. Just two plastic strips/covers that are used to cover where the factory rails would have gone.

I have/had those same plastic covers where the factory rails were supposed to be, as well as the Yakima locking Q towers which go into the door jams; the only reason I'm selling mine is because I was able to buy a factory roof rack from an auto salvage/junk yard so that I can now properly mount my new WMW roof rack (thanks, Josh!)

 

[Chandlerdoom]

So its looking like Q towers are my best option. I would try to buy from a forum member but I'm afraid of shipping costs. Seems like theres no one on here close to me. lol. and to clarify, I don't even have the rails. Just two plastic strips/covers that are used to cover where the factory rails would have gone.

Well if your set on getting Q towers heres my advice. craigslist for Q towers and bars (usually people sell as a pair) 75-100. Ebay for clips just find the cheapest pairs you can find. And for the fairing I would but new just because used ones usually look like crap.

I dont want to put anyone down on here, but sellers on craigslist are going to be cheaper

 

[shmabs]

Roof Rack

I'm not sure if you have the ability or tools to do fab work but i am in similar situation.

My solution was to source factory roof rack rails, then i purchased some 1.5x2x.125 angle and will be cutting into 4 inch sections to make the landing pads for the factory rails. I'm going to buy some scrap tubing the same OD as thule load bars and that will form my cross bars. My rack will then be built off that base, keeping it as low to the roof as possible.

Mike

 

[fmars62]

So, I've searched many times and cant find anyone who documented what they did in this situation. Except CoB. So I've got the black plastic strips and pre-drilled hoes for the roof rack. I'm wanting to get some sort of basket, not sure on any brands yet. Should I just get the OEM rack from a junk yard or something? They're so hard to find around here! Are there any aftermarket baskets/racks that mount without the stock cross bars and rails? I saw someone with a Thule rack that looked like it attached in the door jambs. Not sure how well that would work with a basket...

you ever figure this out? i want a gobi rack but have no rails!? just a plain roof

 

[ptsailing]

So, I've searched many times and cant find anyone who documented what they did in this situation. Except CoB. So I've got the black plastic strips and pre-drilled hoes for the roof rack. I'm wanting to get some sort of basket, not sure on any brands yet. Should I just get the OEM rack from a junk yard or something? They're so hard to find around here! Are there any aftermarket baskets/racks that mount without the stock cross bars and rails? I saw someone with a Thule rack that looked like it attached in the door jambs. Not sure how well that would work with a basket...

I have the same problem and am looking to build a rack to mount a roof top tent....anyone have photos of how they mounted a diy rail to the black plastic strips and predrilled holes? I have a few ideas but was wondering what you crafty folks came up with....

 

[gamefreakgc]

I have the same problem and am looking to build a rack to mount a roof top tent....anyone have photos of how they mounted a diy rail to the black plastic strips and predrilled holes? I have a few ideas but was wondering what you crafty folks came up with....

I kept this bookmarked until I get to a point I need to start hauling camping gear on the roof. Shows how he used aluminum tubing as a rail bar.

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

 

[ptsailing]

I kept this bookmarked until I get to a point I need to start hauling camping gear on the roof. Shows how he used aluminum tubing as a rail bar.

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

I did see that one....gave me a few ideas. Was having trouble finding that thread...thanks for posting it!

Has anyone done a roof top tent....and been able to integrate some sort of roof top basket as well? I want the tent up there but also want to be able to store a few things up top as well.