I went camping this weekend and took a few friends needless to say it was a tight ride. what is the best way to do a roof rack mod?

 

Do you have a factory rack? if so, buy a rack and put it on. If not, buy yakima or thule towers and add rack. I prefer a small gear trailer for camping.

 

All yakima...

 

no rack. I thought about a trailer but I also want to have a place for fuel, tire, welder, so on and so on.

 

I bought some Yakima towers off a Yotatech member, then ordered some brand new crossbars for it.

The just mount in the door jamb and on the rain gutters. I think they work great. Would work better with a cargo basket though.

 

what part # are the towers. and how did you mount them?

 

Another vote for all Yakima gear.

http://www.pnw4runners.com/runs/41203/21.jpg

http://www.pnw4runners.com/runs/41203/8.jpg

And it can be highly modded.
https://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech...mods/corey.htm

 

Corey thanks again, you are always so helpful.

 

Sound like a pretty cool guy.

 

now.....i wonder if you could mount a metal detector the same way as the shovel??? hummm

 

I've got a custom roof rack ready to go, I'm just not sure about the factory mounting of the rails. My rack will be mounted to the roof rails. Anyone have any trouble with them not holding or ripping out due to weight? My rack is steel and I figure with it loaded it might me too much for the stock hardware to handle. I don't plan on wheeling with it on, I just don't want it coming off on the fwy or something. I think I remember someone saying they replaced the stock bolts with something stronger, just in case.

 

Anyone know? I think it was Ducky who has a steel rack like mine. Anyone know if he changed the mounts of the stock roof rack?

 

Wow... someone mentioned my name... lol... *ears burning*

I'm using the factory rails that go from back to front with the factory square nuts that slide in there, (5 per side)

the only thing that annoyed me were the cost of metric stainless bolts... lol.

so far its still holding....

 

That's what I planned on using also, what did you need the metric bolts for?
Is that what you used to attach to the square nuts? What is your rack made of?

 

I just used a whole buncha square tubing... and welded it together... drilled holes, 5 on each side, used the metric bolts to gothrough the rack into the sqare nuts... found out it was rubbing the top of the roof, undid it, added standoffs where each of the bolts are to raise it up a bit, and reattached it... all is good so far... I think i might redesign the standoffs, but prolley wont, it works and its sometimes a PITA to bolt and unbolt the thing... lol.. I removed the plastic around the square bolts too, those were pissing me off... added flatbar with holes drilled in, welded that up front for the lights...added threaded stock and made a tire mount.

honestly the project was a bit more PITA then i had thought... would I do it again instead of buying a rack? definately, soo many ppl have complemented me on how they like the rack because it gives much more clearance... though i still stay away from parking garages... =)

 

you all have supplied good info but im still trying to do this without spending 150. on the parts for a rack. If I can get past the mounting issue I can make the rest. If im drilling mounts on the roof I want to get it right the first time if you all know what I mean.

 

I'm also looking at roof rack systems. It's been my understanding that if the vehicle (2nd generation 'Runner) doesn't have a factory roof rack then you'll have to drill. Is this correct? It sure would be nice to just mount it to the drainage track.

Ed

 

Just a heads up Yakima stuff is nice but it's also spendy. I probably have close to $500 in my towers, crossbars, locking cores, and basket.

 

I'm not sure if you have to drill. but if you can't find anything that will mount to the inside of your door then yes you will have to drill. I'm alright with that I'm hoping that I can get enough info so I get it right the first time.
If someone that has done theres could give model #s that would be the best. I've done a little searching but if you are looking for an older rack then its hard to cross reference to see if it will fit. I'm just looking for the towers, almost have all of the equipment for my welder so I can make my own rack that way I can install locks and such.

 

As long as you go with the tower option you won't have to drill. Mine didn't have a stock rack and I just used the towers. This should work for the older non Q-towers too. The towers are all the same it's the clips that are different for attaching them to a particular vehicle. Yakima's site will step you through what you need to mount a particular type of rack or accessory.