Erik Hinch

iTrader: (3)

whitelightnin' I have been looking for an idea like yours too. This would be a set up like a jeep. subscribed for idea's

Buck87

^^^ "When in doubt, don't! If you gotta ask yourself if you should or not; then well, you probably shouldn't"

Life can be simple. Nice looking runner Eric.

whitelightnin'

Okay. I think it would work. I know that the newer jeep wranglers do something similar to get the weight off the shell. They attach it to the back bumper and then up on the sides of the windshield.

I don't now what to do for a jeep. what model and year. I could take a look and maybe i could help.

I would drill into the shell, but then when i take off the top i don't have any rack. I think the idea would work. i'm not sure if i put a piece of metal between the truck and the shell if the shell would still fit. I'll talk to my welder friend and see if he has any ideas.

Thanks for the quick response

Erik Hinch

iTrader: (3)

I had kicked around the idea of a plate under the shell and a leg attached to go along the lines of the top and could remain if the top was removed. I wanted to make one for my kayline top. Kinda like the safari racks on jeeps except attaching where the shell bolts on instead of to the rear bumper

Erik Hinch

iTrader: (3)

Buck87, thanks for your encouragement.

JodyR

Man, there are some nice 'ol runners on this thread! Mine is mostly stock, but it will see some changes as I get her ready for fishing of the coast of Carolina this summer/fall.

I picked up a softopper on Craigslist a month or so ago and plan to mount my rack above it. I haven't even mounted the softopper yet - Februrary's killin me!

I was planning on sandwiching some 1/4" metal between the cab and softopper mount rail for the front attachment point. For the rear, I first looked at mounting on each side of the rail at the tailgate, but this might be pretty tough to pull off. I'm leaning toward fabbing a rear bumber with attachment points on each side, just forward of the tail lights, for a 1 1/2" DOM tube that goes up and over to the other side.

Drawin' up rear bumper plans with a swingout right now. Please keep the ideas comin!

rgraham13

Same here Jody.. ready to hit Myrtle beach up or Wilmington.. going topless Haha..

akfj62

Eric, here is some pictures of my old Dodge that I had a rack built for. Same idea you are talking about.

I know its not a 4runner, but it gives you an idea of a base and the ladder, just fill in the floor with expanded metal or something like that.

Here is the company that built it:
http://truckrackinc.com/TruckRacks/TruckRacks.htm

whitelightnin'

My design which is on the Utah Forum.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f194...t-help-265446/
It is very similar to the rack on the dodge. It looks like this will be very expensive to build. Around $1,000. I just graduated college, so i am poor and can't afford that. Does anyone have better ideas, or know anyone in utah that would be able to help me out to make this cheeper.

Thanks for the help

whitelightnin'

i though of a new idea of supporting the front on the rain gutters. then support the back maybe on the trailer hitch. I have the photos on the utah forum again.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f194...t-help-265446/
I was wondering for ways to make this cheeper. I am looking to spend $400-500. Let me know if you have any ideas without drilling into the side of the truck.

rustED

iTrader: (2)

I'm resurrecting this thread. I like the idea above ^^^ having the rack bolt in the factory hard top bolt holes, so you can remove the hard top but retain the rack, anyone try this? Also saw this one, but I don't know if I could bring myself to start drilling holes through the body! Maybe bring it down and attach to sliders and rear bumper instead. I'd like to build one and be able to switch from a hardtop to a softtoper without removing the rack. Anybody build one similarly and have any pics?

peabody

iTrader: (1)

What's the best way to deal with those if you put metal between the hardtop and bed on a 4runner?

mountainbrew

Maybe tie it into the front eye and top shackle bolt on the rear springs? Plenty of heft to build off of.

rustED

iTrader: (2)

That's what I was wondering, might not get a good seal. Also the thickness might raise the top enough to where the bolts that go to the back of the cab don't line up.

rustED

iTrader: (2)

Here's a pic of one of my all time favorite 4runners. Looking at the bars mounted to the quarter panels, I imagine if it was plated on the inside it would be pretty strong. Looks like the upper hinge of his swing out tire carrier is attached to the corner plate, it must be strong! strong enough to mount a roof rack I would think, I wouldn't put a spare tire up there or anything, lol. Again I'd have a hard time drilling into the body, but the end result looked as good as his I would!

NextR

Weighs about 80 pounds. I can pick it up by myself, hell I was alone when I put it up there. Not exactly low-profile though.

v6toy4x

jody

where did you source your slide tracks for your top

Btdub

I know this thread is old but I am trying to figure out a roof rack. I think I have a good idea that I haven't seen before. How about building some custom rock sliders and mount arms that run up above the top to support the front of the rack. Then doing the same from the rear bumper. Seems like it could be made to support a lot of weight. Let me know what you think and if there is something I am not thinking of.

RAD4Runner

Welcome to the forum!

I like that idea as well. It would be an improvement, structurally, over the ones mounted on the side body panels (like the trucks above, on Jeeps and some Land Rover Defenders).
Pros:
1) If made properly, it would double as a roll cage, too
2) You can integrate a ladder on it.
3) You can remove the cap and still have your roof rack, unlike if it were mounted on the fiberglas cap.

NoahVD

looks a lot like this T slot track from 80/20. You could also google T slot or T track, found several similar products
https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/s...yABEgLGb_D_BwE