Roof rack
- Thread starter Kybray44
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The Baja rack is does not have the same lines, although just as functional probably, it doesn't look as good imo.
cj80cruiser
Senior Member
There was a guy in california making similar racks on this forum. I'm not sure if he still does and I can't remember his username. I'll paste a link if I can find him with google
Found it....http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/146262-fs-full-length-roof-rack-3rd-gen-late-2nd.html
Found it....http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/146262-fs-full-length-roof-rack-3rd-gen-late-2nd.html
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Whitson Metalworks
New member
Shoot me a PM if you like, I'm taking a few new orders right now.
ajonesnv
New member
So I was looking into the roof rack options myself. I knew Whitson was out of the game, at the time, indefinitely. (I hope the baby is growing and coming along healthily btw, Whitson...life has a way of putting things in place.) I also considered building my own, the start up costs on a bender and other tools swayed me other-wise. I then looked at the thread that was posted above a while back
As I was poking around I saw a few guys running a Rola Vortex. At first I was unimpressed with the idea of a universal rack, as I looked at it more I came up with some ideas that would give it the 3rd Gen specific look and accomplish the full-length functionality and strength. Im still working on it and will be doing a short write-up, but essentially I bought 2 extensions and I am cutting one down to match the length I want. I am also permanently welding together the sections and adding custom mounts, so that it sits closer to the roof, utilizes the stock tracks for optimal strength, and prevents water penetration. The design of this rack also allows for easily running electrical through the tubing rather than zip-tied to it.
For under 300.00 it is impossible for me to say no. I realize you get what you pay for, but if you add in my labor and materials to make it what I want, it should add to the quality too.
I will hopefully have a dedicated thread for it next week.
Here are a couple shots I took as I was taking measurements.
With out the third extension to make it full length:
Track lining up:
As I was poking around I saw a few guys running a Rola Vortex. At first I was unimpressed with the idea of a universal rack, as I looked at it more I came up with some ideas that would give it the 3rd Gen specific look and accomplish the full-length functionality and strength. Im still working on it and will be doing a short write-up, but essentially I bought 2 extensions and I am cutting one down to match the length I want. I am also permanently welding together the sections and adding custom mounts, so that it sits closer to the roof, utilizes the stock tracks for optimal strength, and prevents water penetration. The design of this rack also allows for easily running electrical through the tubing rather than zip-tied to it.
For under 300.00 it is impossible for me to say no. I realize you get what you pay for, but if you add in my labor and materials to make it what I want, it should add to the quality too.
I will hopefully have a dedicated thread for it next week.
Here are a couple shots I took as I was taking measurements.
With out the third extension to make it full length:
Track lining up:
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I ran a rola on my XJ and it was a quality rack for the price. However I did not like the way the rack was put together, nor the mounting brackets.
You seem to have addressed both of the issues I had and I am interested to see what you have come up with. Ill keep an eye out for the thread in the upcoming week.
Any idea what it weighs, and what it will carry? I need to be able to mount my RTT on the top of it.
You seem to have addressed both of the issues I had and I am interested to see what you have come up with. Ill keep an eye out for the thread in the upcoming week.
Any idea what it weighs, and what it will carry? I need to be able to mount my RTT on the top of it.
ajonesnv
New member
it weights somewhere in the 60-65# range. Based on my brief assessment, I would have no problem trying out a RRT. I personally won't be cause of CBI's great work on a swing out, but Im sure it will hold. Rola claims that it will hold 130#, or maybe it was 150...anyways somewhere in there.
BigRogers
New member
FWIW I have a Full Length Baja Rack and absolutely love it. I use it all the time.
Carry my 33" spare on it when I'm wheeling, its solid and doesn't rattle, and with the minimal storage room in the 3rd gen for long trips its a must. I like the higher edges on it for the utilitarian purposes of it, and to mount my high lift.
This is about the best picture I have of it at work but if you need another view let me know or check out page 7 of my build thread.
Carry my 33" spare on it when I'm wheeling, its solid and doesn't rattle, and with the minimal storage room in the 3rd gen for long trips its a must. I like the higher edges on it for the utilitarian purposes of it, and to mount my high lift.
This is about the best picture I have of it at work but if you need another view let me know or check out page 7 of my build thread.
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CenCalifoothill15
New member
[MENTION=73515]ajonesnv[/MENTION]
This is the 1st time I've seen someone use a double extension on a Rola rack-
Correct me I'm wrong, are you going to use 3 extensions to make it full length?
How did you mount the rack to the factory gutters?
I'm interested to see how it turns out....
This is the 1st time I've seen someone use a double extension on a Rola rack-
Correct me I'm wrong, are you going to use 3 extensions to make it full length?
How did you mount the rack to the factory gutters?
I'm interested to see how it turns out....
My CVT Mt Bachelor is 120lbs itself. Dont know if the Rola will be a viable option as I want to throw gear up there with it as well. I am still interested to see how it turns out.
ajonesnv
New member
That is heavy for any roof top, but I would bet that most of the weight rating is based off of the silly mounts that come with the rack. I weigh 175 and will crawl up top when its done to see what kind of flex comes with my weight.
I will most likely gusset some of the rack rails to strengthen areas that may need it.
ajonesnv
New member
That is my full intention. The third extension arrives tomorrow and I will hope fully have a finished product this weekend. I have a good bit of cutting first.
As for the mounts, Ill have some photos as it comes together.
volkinator
New member
Resurrecting an older thread because I'm curious on what else is out there.
Also, I don't think Front Runner makes a 3rd gen model. They don't have it on their website at least. I'd love one like it though.
The other option would be something like the full length roof rack from baja. That's the only other one I've liked really other than WMW. I really hope everything gets taken care of. When he gets through it, I'd gladly buy one of his!
I just want something lower profile. I really like the Baja utility rack for the 5th gen, and wish I could get something like that. Equipt would work too (they have the K9 rack) but it seems to sit pretty high with the way they mount it.
MN4runnerman
Senior Member
Well there is [MENTION=68079]drabbits[/MENTION] who is a member here but other than that I haven't seen much else. Since whitson is having troubles sadly(I would've bought one of his in a heartbeat) I decided to come up with a design. I've been working on it for a bit but I'm just making it 3/4 length kind of like bajas
MN4runnerman
Senior Member
I forgot you too I'm even subbed to your thread
volkinator
New member
Heck yeah, I also forgot about that. And I can understand holding off on some pictures. with the whole 'roof rack' patent thing and its generalities... ugh.
For anyone interested, I thought this was pretty good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bxcc3SM_KA
