Redneck enginuity- roof storage rack
 

Anybody have their own pics and measurements of their own "homemade" roof rack/storage unit? Been looking around town and pricing some out, have to say that i see stealerships and local auto stores must have "crack" smoking on their list of job requirements, if you catch my drift...... :pissed:
I have access to an arc welder and plasma cutter if need be, just concerned with the overall weight coming down on the roof.. Noticed one pic where someone had drilled through the roof and all, and clear silicone is easy to come by...... but overall trying to avoid it. What about possibly using 40 grade pvc piping with enamel/krylon paint(made a surf fishing beach wagon/caddy out of this.... couldnt see paying 175-200$ for some small cheapy) with the small cargo wratcheting straps- tie "it" down to the existing roof rack, then put it away when its time to take the family out?? Just looking for ideas here..... :dunno:

I have this one. $119 plus shipping. It's awesome for the money...

http://www.prolineracks.com/Proline-...oof-racks.html

hmm thats a good price.

where are you in SC str8 ? im in simpsonville

it's just a hair wider than the oem rails. it's powdercoated and is very durable.

here's a pic for size reference:

http://4rnr.net/red4runner/red-lake-1.jpg

I plan on fabing up an imitation of jacobs rack.
http://128.83.80.200/taco/jacob.html
I am in the process of measuring the rack by chopping it in photoshop, then compairing it to other parts of his truck, like the window. Then I go measure my window and have close to the exact measurements
Very cool design I think...

I've had my eye on that Proline basket for over a year now. It's the best priced one that I've seen. $140 shipped to your door, you can't beat that.

I'm sure it's no different from the Yakima or a Thule ones. The namebrand ones are just too much. Since you have one. The welds are pretty good on it? How the finish?

WHy not just Fab your own and attach it to the factory roof rack with some small U-Bolts. I would have gone that route IF I had a factory roof rack.

I have "plans" to build one in the next month or so,

Material:
1" EMT Conduit
Construction strut
1" square tube salvaged from an appliance
warehouse wire shelf

total cost = >$40

ghetto is the only way

you don't have a pic with that rack?

welds are fine. it's textured powdercoat that's really durable. my only complaint is that the mounting hardware isn't stainless and has a little rust on it - nothing a dab of silicon doesn't cure though.



ummm, the basket is on there, attached to the factory roof rack.

Bam, your truck looks like its sagging a little in the ass... what are you running in the back ? It could just be the angle on the picture.

Nice color too. b-e-a-utiful !

I was thinking, if I end up getting one, I'll get the joints, where the 2 ends meet, welded together so that it will be more sturdy. Even if I decide to get the 20" basket extension, I will probably get it fused as well.

thanks... it was ass-sagging. that was on oem front/rear coils w/ cornfed spacers. now it has downey rears and trd fronts.

i am in Charleston- looking at this thing as a project toy, throwing the "feelers" out for ideas...... Gram72- youre right- go ghetto and be done with it.....

I thought it said Yakima. Whats that slanted wind deflector, it doesn't come with the one listed. Home made?

it's a thule deflector, proline basket. mine didn't come w/ a deflector. i've had mine for a little over a year.

i've since ditched the thule deflector and the basket only goes on when needed to help w/ wind noise and MPG's as much as possible.

if i were going to need one again, i'd take some measurements and go to lowes/HD and get a piece of 3/16" lexan cut to fit then hit the backside w/ some black spraypaint and mount it by drilling some holes and using some small u-bolts. in all, it would cost about $15 and would problaly be better than the $30 that's made for the basket.

it says 'THULE' on it...

Oh ok... my bad, i didn't see it really. Nice find.

not a toyota

we built this over the summer

holds up to 10 surfboards, has reverse lights, front light bar with off road lights will hold a ton of backpacks

build cost was 600 bucks, and we thought even though a little extreme better bang for the buck over a thule or comprable....not to knock store bought stuff

http://sfaboston.bizland.com/TRUCKCLIMB.JPG