mtnkid85

Hey there guys Im getting ready to build my basket rack, but i would like to know the diminsions of your guys racks first. Please state the diminsions and the make . Im planning on making mine 7" tall 58" long and 44" wide. Im making this for my 85runner, how do all you other 1st gen guys mount them on? could I just go right in threw the top of the roof? Or will I be forced to buy some clamps for the rain gutters? Thanx

mtnkid85

come awn guys I know some of you guys have basket racks !

r0cky

hey man, i don't have a basket yet myself, but in researching the major companies, i think a good number of them produce racks with dimensions close to:

44" x 39" x 6.5" [yakima loadwarrior and thule playpen]

52" x 48" x 6.5" [yakima megawarrior]

looks like when i put '85 4runner in on the application guides at those sites, they suggest putting some brackets/clamps along the raingutters (like you said) ... but i don't have much experience with the 1st gens, so i'm afraid i can't help ya much. hope this helps at least some though.

some of the sites that sell them (like http://www.rackattack.com) might be helpful too because if you enter your car into the application guide, they'll give you some idea of what you'll need to attach the basket rack to your roof.

sorry i couldn't be of more help - i'm sure some of the guys with baskets will chime in here soon. you could also go to the search feature above and search for "roof racks" or something close to that, because i know there have been a lot of discussions about which ones people have had experience with ... how they attach ... good dimensions, etc.

good luck!!

mtnkid85

hey thanx bud, Ill have to check out that site, I looked in my Downey Catalog at school today and the roofrack they sell is something like 44x39 . Ill still need to look into the mounting ideas though.

r0cky

hehe. i wish i had some cool catalogs to look at during school.

http://tinyurl.com/uxls

that's a link to the thule fit guide and the products it recommends for an '85 4runner roof basket ... even if you aren't looking to buy one from one of these brands, it might help to see what they say is necessary to install one in general. looks like thule recommends a "gutter foot pack" (some mounting that allows you to use your rain gutters instead of any type of drilling / permanent modification) and two load bars.

at least with something like that, you wouldn't have to drill through anything, and it looks relatively simple. when i had an old bimmer, i had to use a similar system for my ski rack -- even with the very narrow rain gutters on my little car, it was a rock solid rack mounting!!!

because if you plan on selling yours for a more recent model 4runner (did it say mid-late 90's in your signature?), then you might have trouble explaining to a potential buyer why you drilled holes into the roof.

just a thing to keep in mind ...

mtnkid85

ya I am kinda sketchy on the whole drilling holes idea. Do you know of anyone who just sells the raingutter clamps ? If so I could just get those. But I was wondering how much weight those gutters could hold? During hunting season I may be throwing my deer or elk up there, and if Im lucky both .

r0cky

http://www.rackattack.com/cart/?mid=5,6,7,8

check out that link ... it shows the different base mounts, and you can decide which pieces you need and which way you want to mount.

i'm not sure how much weight they hold ... but i think with a little bit of looking around, you'd be able to find that information.

i'd check it out to save you some time, but i have to get cracking on a paper ... i do know that if you use the gutter mount feet from a company like thule or yakima, you will be able to carry more weight than someone like me who is just going to use the basket on the factory 4runner rack.

JSB

Mines a Surco, and I believe it's 60 x 45 and maybe 6 inches tall.