craw4x4

Hey guys, I just got a roof rack from a junk yard, and i want to put it on . The screws that came out of the rack when it had gotten removed , are all rusted and what not , and I want to put new screws in . can I just use sheet metal screws , to attach the rack to my roof, of do I need to tear the headliner out and bolt the thing on , I am only using the rack for off roading to put my spare tire ad hi-lift up there. I am also open to suggestions.

CJM

Self tapping sheetmetal screws should do the trick, but bolting it on might be better, the spare weighs alot Dave.

olharleyman

Here's a wright up that I did when I installed mine

1992 4 runner roof rack install on a 1990 4runner non roof rack model

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OK so this weekend I had a pretty busy schedule with my 4runner. First off I installed my roof rack I bought from RUSTY DAVIS I repainted it first just for a new look not that it was in bad shape or anything truth is it was in real nice shape thanks again RUSTY DAVIS.

The first step was to pull the head liner and with the help of a good friend my mine who just happens to have 15 years working for TOYOTA we pulled the interior panels from one side of the truck to find the cross members. Once we found them and marked them with painters tape on the roof we then assembled the rack and found a suitable mounting point and marked it and set it up for installation then remembered one minor detail that we over looked. Thank god we thought of this minor detail that we overlooked THE SUNROOF.

Not that its a bad thing but we totally forgot to factor in the slide rail for the retract function of the sunroof , after rethinking the sunroof we came to the conclusion that the point that I choose to mount the rack was not going to interfere with the sunroof it was time to start the drilling.
First thing before drilling we taped the sides of the roof where we had the outsides of the rails and that gave us a good point to mark the roof with the sharpie.We then went back to the inside of the truck and reinstalled the interior panels and headliner.

We then went a got out the drill bits and a block of wood. The drill bit if I remember correctly was a 9/32s (don't hold me to that) then took the 2x4 and put the drill bit on it and cut the 2x4 to fit the length with we then took an extra 1/8 inch off so only the very tip of the drill bit was loner then the wood block.The reason for the tip of the drill bit being a bit longer was so after drilling Thur the block only that would come Thur and when drilling it to the roof it would not good to far Thur and catch the headliner tearing or ripping it.

Now came the drilling with the piece of wood set on the drill bit and the drill in hand it was time to commence with the task of drilling(Yes I was a bit nervous) but with the pre marked points in site I went to each mark with my punch and made a dimple in the roof so the bit would not walk.
Next was the moment of truth DRILLING the first hole. I went to the first mark with total appreciation and started to drill , this is where the dimple came into play because the wax on the roof made it rather slick and the bit would have slide pretty easily.

With the bit tip firmly in the dimple the drilling stated , first the metal shaving got me very nervous and then it happened the block of wood hit the roof stopping the cutting action and downward motion of the drill.

The first hole had been drilled and the block of wood did a EXELLENT job of stopping me from drilling Thur the headliner. After that drilling the next 11 holes was like walking , I didn't even think about it I just drilled next thing ya know all the holes were drilled and BRETT and I were pulling the tape off (the tape really was two purposes 1 good for making the marks for drilling and not hurting the paint and 2 it helps protect the paint if the drill bit slips no scratching the paint.(a trick I use when installing parts on a custom HARLEY or other high dollar parts)

Next step was to fit the (brass) inserts that BRETT graped from his tool box and see how they fit. I still don't know what they are called but they work like a rivets but the inside is threaded for a 6mm bolt. Just a note Friday I went to the hardware store and found 12 1/4" and 2 1" long tapered head stainless steel bolts that fit the tread in the rivet thing. BRETT had also the tool (matco tools) that inserted these in the roof don't know what its called either. But its basically like a rivet gun but where you place the rivet there is a threaded shaft the same pitch as the bolts.You screw in the insert set it in the hole and just like a rivet gun pull the handle until you feel the insert mushrooming , but don't pull to hard or you will ruin the insert and have to drill it out hoping that you can install another one without any damage to the roof.

We did both sides and placed the rack on the roof finding that all lined up perfect YES, once I was sure that it fit right it was time to fit the rack for good.

All the bolts went into the new threaded inserts and a drop of blue lock tight had them holding like they where factory installed (better if you ask me) The roof rack looks great and holds even better total time for the install was about 2 hours and was really not to hard to do maybe a 7 out of 10 but with the correct tools and supplies needed it was a breeze and fun at the same time.

Hope this will help others in the future and later this week in the sunlight I will take some pictures of the finished product to add here. But all I have is a web cam so I could not take any picture since I did this at another friends shop and he was busy doing business as usual. So I didn't want to freak out his customers either had I had a digital camera.
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them and yes I will find out the proper names for the inserts and tool used to complete this install and add them later.
here's a picture with the rack completed I don't own a digital camera so this is a picture my friend took for me so I had something to show here atleast










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1990 4 runner 5 Speed
Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift Kit custom 6" coils rear
lock right #1620 Rear