Roof Rack

[levi.watson]

So I've been looking on here for a while, and I haven't been able to find any roof rack ideas that I like. I have a 89 with the soft top. I'm looking for something that runs the length of the cab. My friend does custom welding, so I was thinking that I would just have him weld one for me. Any thoughts on getting one that works with the soft top? My one thought was to drill through the soft top and hook into the roll bar, but I didn't know if that would compromise the roll bar... Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KidVermicious]

That's kinda what I did. I bolted an aluminum square tube to the roll bar, though the soft top, and put Thule artificial rain gutter on the end of the tube. Then I threw on a set of load bars and bolted the rack to the bars. It worked, but it was hokey and meant I couldn't drop the soft top.

If I go the full-length route again, I'll build it with legs that mount to the bed rails so it doesn't interfere with the soft top.

 

[RAD4Runner]

So I've been looking on here for a while, and I haven't been able to find any roof rack ideas that I like. I have a 89 with the soft top. I'm looking for something that runs the length of the cab. My friend does custom welding, so I was thinking that I would just have him weld one for me. Any thoughts on getting one that works with the soft top? My one thought was to drill through the soft top and hook into the roll bar, but I didn't know if that would compromise the roll bar... Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Drilling through your soft top would be like a hack job, would compromise waterproofness and IF you put a hard top on rack would no longer mount.
With a friend who can customize, would make a rack with legs that mount on the caB roof in front and body in back. This would allow you flexibility to keep the roof rack on whether you have hard or soft top. Side-effect: would also look more macho

 

[levi.watson]

That's kinda what I did. I bolted an aluminum square tube to the roll bar, though the soft top, and put Thule artificial rain gutter on the end of the tube. Then I threw on a set of load bars and bolted the rack to the bars. It worked, but it was hokey and meant I couldn't drop the soft top.

If I go the full-length route again, I'll build it with legs that mount to the bed rails so it doesn't interfere with the soft top.

Ok, thanks for the info. Good to hear from someone who's done it before.

Drilling through your soft top would be like a hack job, would compromise waterproofness and IF you put a hard top on rack would no longer mount.
With a friend who can customize, would make a rack with legs that mount on the caB roof in front and body in back. This would allow you flexibility to keep the roof rack on whether you have hard or soft top. Side-effect: would also look more macho

Ok, that makes sense. Can you describe the leg part a little more? Not understanding that. And macho is always better!

 

[RAD4Runner]

Ok, that makes sense. Can you describe the leg part a little more? Not understanding that. And macho is always better!

Like this

BUT the legs would mount directly on the metal panel, not on the caP.
I actually like it myself, IF I had room to store my caP when I go topless.

Image Copyright belongs to Yotatech member A7mgte.

 

[KidVermicious]

Ok, thanks for the info. Good to hear from someone who's done it before.



Ok, that makes sense. Can you describe the leg part a little more? Not understanding that. And macho is always better!

Here's one way.



I think personally I would not trust the sheet metal unless I put some reinforcement inside the quarterpanels. I'd rather use metal resting on the bed rails like a pickup ladder rack.

 

[levi.watson]

Like this

BUT the legs would mount directly on the metal panel, not on the caP.
I actually like it myself, IF I had room to store my caP when I go topless.

Image Copyright belongs to Yotatech member A7mgte.

Interesting, but I'm not seeing the specific picture, there are like a million on that thread haha. But from what I'm gathering you mount your rack to the metal sheeting, and mount your sheeting to ???

 

[RAD4Runner]

I'm not seeing the specific picture, there are like a million on that thread haha.?

Exactly like KidV posted.

 

[levi.watson]

Here's one way.



I think personally I would not trust the sheet metal unless I put some reinforcement inside the quarterpanels. I'd rather use metal resting on the bed rails like a pickup ladder rack.

Ok, thanks for the help + pic!

Exactly like KidV posted.

Ah, gotcha. Thanks guys, you've been helpful!

 

[_ExpeditionMan]

Sorry to hijack the thread but does anyone know of any 2nd gen roof rack options?

 

[penbergm]

i've been playing with this idea also. I don't like the idea of bolting to the bed rails. Was tinking of going all the way down to the bumper (in my case, tied to the frame) for the rear support. Options are limited for the front supports, maybe utilizing the cab gutters. Build a sturdy frame and then maybe an aftermarket roof rack to bolt / weld to my custom frame.

 

[Dropzone]

Here's one way.



I think personally I would not trust the sheet metal unless I put some reinforcement inside the quarterpanels. I'd rather use metal resting on the bed rails like a pickup ladder rack.

like you I wouldn't trust the sheet metal to hold the load like that..
plus too many dang holes

you could sandwich the mount between the bed rail and top to place the load on the bed rail, a thin enough gauge steel would not interfere with the seal much