Was there a rack offered for the early 4Runners? I mean a factory rack? If not, what is a good choice for my 89 Runner? Thanks.

 

I have never seen a factory rack but for aftermarket it just depends on what you like...

For me... I have a Thule playpen on mine that I like a lot because of the versatility. I leave the basket on most of the time but I can take the basket off and put my snow board rack in place and eventually I plan to buy the mounts for a bike so I can throw that up on top as well... all with the same pad mounts and rack...

Good luck!

 

mine came with yakima cross bars that mounted to the fiberglass rain gutters... bad idea, now I'm missing a 6" section of gutter there are also several mounts designed for truck campers that will work, of course most require drilling into the fiberglass top, or even glued to the top too (don't ask, the PO also glued pipe fittings to the top and rigged a home made pipe rack)

 

Yes, there was a factory roof rack offered (on '89's at least). I never liked it, though - it was just screwed into the fiberglass & I never trusted it to hold much. You can see my replacement on this thread.

 

I am working on a rack for the 1st gen 4Runners right now. I am making it to hold more weight than you can with the avilable racks. I also do not want to drill holes in my top.
I will keep you updated with my progress if you want. If there is intrest from some 1st gen owners, I will post it all here.

Thanks
Kent

 

Livelarg; I am definitely interested. Keep me advised or put it on the board. I thought about fabbing one myself, and still might. I built a safari type rack for my 85 Toy Extended cab and used it for years. I carried an aluminum boat on it as well as camping gear. I don't need anything quite that elaborate for my Runner.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

Hey Kent~
I would be really interested to see what you come up with!

 

I am wanting something that I can hold my canoe on, plus any other junk I need.
Plus, like I said, I don't want to drill holes.
I am working on the mounting brackets now, The rack is the easy part.
I will keep you all updated.

Kent

 

I pulled a stock roof rack off of a 95 runner in a wrecking yard and put it on my 85 runner. It fit perfectly. I CAREFULLY drilled and taped the mounting holes in the thick parts of the canopy. Where it was thin, I used 'Well Nuts'. (little rubber expansion nuts that expand as you tighten them).
I smeared each bolt with silicone adhesive caulk before screwing them in.
I haven't had any problems with it coming loose 'yet'. I have had well over 300 lbs up there, barreling down the freeway at speed exceeding 70 MPH. (hated haveing that much weight up there, too top heavy)
I'm pretty happy with how it looks and how strong it is. I have picked up the canopy with it. It didn't budge.
I pretty much use it for long stuff that won't fit in the back.
Never clamp anything to those gutters on the side, they may hold for a while, but they will break.
Make sure you are happy with whataver you get. There are some pretty cool aftermarket racks out there.

 

I'm in the process of making a 60"x40" roof rack that will go on my '95 Runner. I currently have Yakima load bars and feet within my factory rack. I'm about 85% done with the rack and will post pictures when I finish. My plan is to have it Line-X too.

 

i really want a roofrack now for extra gear...ie a chair, maybe even add a spare tire...LOL

 

keep us posted on the first generation roof rack.
I'm looking for one

 

This thread is 4 years old.

 

and in the wrong forum.

 

I apologize and thank you for showing me the light

 

I have managed to get hold of a 1994 4Runner roof rails & bars and was wondering can I just screw them in to my 1995 4Runner roof. Do I need any special fittings and do I have to remove the roof lining.

Hope you can help