Show me your Safari Rack on your 3rd gen 4Runner
 

Hi All,

As the title says, Im looking at safari racks for the roof of my 00 Sport and was looking into the Surco and the Thule rack, but I really would like to keep it lower on the roof rather than the two large crossbars. I was thinking of pulling the three lower ones off and putting bolts through them instead..

And.... I would like to put some nice lights up on the roof. I ordered the factory switches from the dealer. Looking for the cleanest install possible. How did you run your wiring?

Thanks in advance!

nah2323

Depending of course on your needs, this rack is one of the best I've found and the rack going on my expedition 4Runner. It's The African Outback rack from Slee Off-Road. http://www.sleeoffroad.com

The rack comes with the mounting rails that attach to the stock 4Runner rack locations. Take off the factory rack and install the rails, then the African Outback rack attaches to those rails. Very clean, easy to remove, low profile and can handle anything you need to throw up there. You can order it with top rail or without and there are many mounting acessories for lights, shovels, hi-lift jacks etc.

The African Outback roof rack is a state of the art all aluminum modular system that can be configured to suit your individual needs. The roof racks are constructed from aluminum extrusions that feature a "slide in" nut system that allows for easy fitment of bolt on accessories. The racks come with a top rail that is easily removed to allow for the fitment of rooftop tents. The low profile sealed rails combine to cut wind noise to a minimum.

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Mine is the coleman safari rack. There are some things I don't really like about it, but when i got it it was only $75 shipped from Costco.com. Couldn't beat that price so I ordered it.

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x2 on the coleman, not sure what you can get it for now though

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also, check out reverend on the boards her or uy. he has a new safari rack that he made custom low profile mounts for, so it sits right on the roof.

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Rola roof rack under $200 not the best but well worth the $$

http://www.etrailer.com/p-59504.htm

coleman rack x3
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That right there is almost the exact setup I want on my rig. I love to bike, mostly mountain, and I would like a 4 place flat top thule ski rack too. The lights are perfect on that rig. Do you have photos of it on your t4r?

I was thinking of going with a Yakima rack, as they have a bunch of different sizes, but the SLEE OR one that the first reply mentioned looks nice (but is wicked coin)

Ideally I'd like to be able to reach out through the sunroof and adjust the lights if need be, but also I'd like the rack to be pretty far back on the roof, about where the factory roof rails end just for symmetry.

Thanks all for the replies, and keep em coming!

Haha...you mean chaplain...
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x4 on the coleman lol

http://a91.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/...1b54b2ddf2.jpg

I ran a Wilderness rack for a period of time. It sit closer to the roof than most:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/i...cluded-111728/

Here is mine, It's a yakima basket. I have had it on 4 vehicles over the years.From a subaru wagon to a couple of 4Runners. Evey time I sold the vehicle I kept the basket, I liked it that much. I have overloaded it may times and it never complained. I have even put 2 DH bikes on top(not recommended) but it worked.
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hi can someone post up pics of the bracket used to secure the rack to the roof bars.
ive oem roof bars and a rack ive made up just need pics of how to secure the rack.

Thanks for the credit, but I actually used the mounts that came with the rack from bajarack.com. I just mounted them directly to the roof instead of the oem rack. I wanted a low-profile rack that was light and ran the whole roof line so I could mount long-boards. You can get accessories for their racks to mount shovels, hilift, axe, and lights. I chose to welded on tabs for rear lights (2 backup, 1 amber, 1 blue), an antenna mount and plan on just making a removable light bar for driving lights.
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...547d738026.jpg
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...4dc3cb6fc0.jpg

I have a Surco safari rack. Not going to lie, its pretty cheaply built. But, it gets the job done, and is very lightweight. I've actually carried a lot of weight on it, probably not safe: 35" tire, 2 gas cans, firewood, random stuff, surfboard racks ON TOP with 4 surfboards.

Here's a pic. I take it off until I go camping. Also, I picked up the hitch rack for extra room. I put water jugs, bbq, and other stuff back there. All this room is great for long trips into Baja.

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x2 on the Surco rack. I have one on my Explorer and it takes a beating

+1 on the Rola rack. $150 shipping included when I got mine. Coleman wasn't available when I was looking into racks, not sure about them now.

Garvin Wilderness rack. I'll eventually post more pics after I throw some lights on it.

http://cardork.com/photo/d/462-1/IMGP4195.jpg

I built mine for my 93 out of 16 gauge 1" square tubing. It holds a Hi-Lift and has 3 lights with the wiring ran inside the tube. It the runs down thru the roof by the back foot to the relays controls that are by the rear battery and air pumps. The jack is secured by 3, 1/2" bolts (outer 2 have cotter pins and center has a lock to prevent muggles). I utilized the factory tap plates in the runners to attatch it to the roof.

http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/4R...re%20Front.jpg

http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/4R...er%20Front.jpg

http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/4R...der%20Rear.jpg

Here's a current pic of Rockslide's old rack :great:

http://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1p...fjvGuCBDZdAEZH

http://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1p...5Bx4Xz_KHlPNVa

http://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1p...441Oy9BJ7CVaTw

http://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1p...G_t6Yog1LXQPk_

Sorry for the crappy pics. BTW, I added some quicky brackets for the rear jack mount, and the axe/shovel mount. Overall, a great rack, if not a bit noisy with all the extra junk there. Fairly low profile, but still grabs a few branches when playing in the trees.

Built mine as well.....

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Here is mine, I haven't put it on in a while.
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Sandals, glad to see it's getting used the way it was intended to be! :bigok:

Garvin really does make a quality rack.

Black widow rack
i got it for $130 shipped plus $40 for the extension

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maybe its because of the non tinted windows or the angle or something but does anyone else think that looks like a runner/cruiser hybrid? i know its not but at first glance i was mystified haha

I will be more than likely building my own. I can weld pretty well, (took classes for it.) but I kind of wanted to run aluminum instead of steel. I found some pretty slick aluminum unistrut (sort of) that I may make something out of..

Here is my vague plan. I actually plan on stacking the "XBAR" stock on top of another to gain some height. Notice that the XBAR has a threaded center and slots on all four sides for carriage bolts! sweet.

http://the-hitchcock-companies.com/h...0652.sized.jpg

1" sq stock running along the length of the roof across the small roof crossmembers and then the wierd little piece side trim. (not needed but maybe a little bit pretty.)
Quick G Sketchup.
http://the-hitchcock-companies.com/h...lans.sized.jpg

that looks like a killer deal to me.

http://www.discountramps.com/roof-rack-basket.htm

these are a couple years old but i used to have a load warrior with 4 KCs forward faceing, 2 100w backup lights, highlift, shovel and my spare on it.

http://photography.eakland.net/d/434...C_0057copy.jpg
http://photography.eakland.net/d/4316-3/DSC_0169.jpg
http://photography.eakland.net/d/4296-3/DSC_0196.jpg

But i've since taken it off, it was too tall and the lights kept hitting trees on the trail.

this is the coleman rack on my old 94, mounted on Yakima control tower/landing pad/48" crossbar.

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http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/4R...re%20Front.jpg

That looks really well built. How do you bend the square tube. I'm setup for round, but I dont have an end mill to get nice perpedicular welds, but the square tubing makes for nice side brackets and welding is a breeze!

I agree killer deal this is what I may go with..my only question is can you mount aux. lights to this?

i'm working on that
its going to have to be something you fab yourself

Currently using a Wilderness rack, but I'm looking for a full length rack, either a pre-made or custom:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...o/DSC05146.jpg

How did you attach your rack to the top of your first gen? Did you need to come up with any fastener tricks?

I am pretty happy with it (even the width). Just a note to the OP; lights make a dramatic change in the air-flow, so if you are going for aerodynamics, no lights!

For the wiring, I ran three relays (two lights each) mounted to the inner fender behind the battery. The wires for the rear lights go along the frame to the hatch, along side the seal and out just under the driver side light. The fronts go back along the fender, under the seal lip and exit above the front of the rear driver side door. For switches, I used three DPDT rockers from Honeywell (with LEDs) which allows me to have them on with battery, off, or on with highbeams/reverse lights.

(Just realized that the truck 'looks' like a pavement princess with the nice pics in front of my house, but trust me, I do take it out!)

That is a really nice rack. I like how low profile it is. I might have to pick one of those up. I have been debating on a roof rack for a while now and i think thats the one.

I have a couple questions and requests if i may. First of all, do you have any close up pictures of the mounting on the exterior and interior? Did you drill straight through the headliner? Also do you know of anyone that makes brackets that will attach to that rack for a hi-lift jack. I know theirs many of them out there but how would i know if it would fit that rack specifically. Any universal ones?

Thanks, appreciate any help.

of course it's possible. if you have a welder, it could cost you less than $15 to make a bracket. when i did mine for the coleman rack, i went to a metal fab shop, they charged me $45 for a single 60 degree bent, so i'd say just buy two sheets of 1/8" plates and weld them, way cheaper.

also, the black widow rack is in 3 sections including the extension which are held together by machine screws. it is not super sturdy so i would recommend welding the sections together which i plan to do

I have a MegaWarrior with extension on my 96 Limited mounted to the factory rails and Railrider I towers.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/IMGP2130.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/IMGP2074.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/IMGP2075.jpg

+3 on the Rola Rack. Rack w/ extension from etrailer.com for $200 w/ free shipping. I have it mounted on the stock rack w/ yakima hardware up front. Very secure, holds a lot of camping gear.
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I bought a Kargomaster rack. Sorry no pics. I am waitin on some Hellas to mount up there so the rack is off for now. It is a solid unit. It weighs around50 lbs itself. The only thing I want to change is the mounting setup. They sit a little high for me so I am seeking a lower profile mounting setup. It is a good rack though.