Mounting a Thule roof rack to the factory ditch on Tacoma 4-door

Does anyone know of a custom mounting bracket that could be bolted into the weldnuts on the roof (under the rubber seal) that would allow a nice integration of a fixed position Thule rack? This could allow an alternative rack to be used instead of the factory OEM roof rack and give better mounting security that the standard "pressure clamp" style mounts that are typically used...

Additionally, we could avoid scratching the paint on the roof with the shitty rubber pads that come standard with the Thule foot packs. I've used these in the past and dirt always seems to get under the pads and mess up the paint.

Does this make any sense?

 

Yes this makes perfect sense and I would love to know if anyone has any info on this. I like the clean install of the OEM rack but I prefer the style and load capacity of a Thule/Yakima rack.

 

Well I am the one to figure this out for you. I run Rack Attack in Portland,OR and we specialize in Thule and Yakima systems. We have done various custom rack systems over the years where we mount a track system next to the ditch you speak of. Have never looked at what is under there to see what kind of mounting points there are. I will be looking at my 2012 tomorrow and will come up with a solution. The new Thule Aeroblade system is awesome and I will figure out how to get that up there.

 

Just realized there may be an issue since I only have the access cab. Any 4 door Taco's in PDX hit me up so I can look at your truck as there could be a free rack system in it for you.......

 

Indeepcamo what is the setup this guy did. Looks like an answer to our problem.

 

Indeepcamo, If you figure it out for your access cab, I'd be super interested.

 

Looks like he used the Thule tracker kit, guessing a TK14. Curious if he was able to use existing hardware on the truck. We have mounted those TKs and tracks in board of the strip with our own hardware and turns out great. Was that an Access or Dual cab. Gonna pop off the strps on my access and see whats underneath.

 

Im super interested if you guys figure this one out too. I would LOVE to have the racks mounted in the ditch rather than having a pad and latch that will mar the paint on my truck.

 

anything??

 

I think he did use the factory hardware on a DC b/c I don't think the AC's have the nuts welded into the ditch. I'm trying to find a technical drawing of the TK 14 so I can see the spacing of the holes and find out if they will match up to weld nuts. If they do fit, it looks like you should be able to bolt a Thule Tracker kit right to the roof

 

Here is what we normally do, tracks just inside of the ditch. Getting ready to pull off the ditch strip on my Access to see if we can use that area. But the inner area works just as good for the tracks or fixed point and doesnt, damage the paint.

 

indeepcamo, how do the tracks anchor to the truck? That looks way cleaner than the other towers and mounts.

if the ditch doesn't pan out I'm all for the tracks like in the picture.

 

Doesn't look like the ditch will work on an access. Just pulled my strip and the is no hardware under there. The tracks in the picture are attached with a flare nut. This is a threaded insert that I attach to the roof from the top down, no need to drop the headliner. All mounting points are sealed and guaranteed not to leak unless you damage your rack.....ie running your bikes into a garage. Normal cost for the rack setup is $650 parts and labor, but I can make special deals for all TW folks. Plus labor can be covered by NW tasty beverages especially Hop Czar. Still interested to get a look at a double cab if anyone wants to try the ditch but gotta say the track in board of the ditch is very nice and solid.

 

Any chance you can find out the hole spacing on the TK 14? I'm gonna pull the strip off my DC tomorrow and see what the spacing is between the nuts.

 

I'd like to take advantage of your offer indeep but I live in Hawaii so I don't think that's going to work. Haha. I wish I can have those tracks!

 

We can mail out the items you need via USPS, it just means that you will be the one drilling into your roof.

 

I will get the spacing for you in the AM.

 

could you also check how far apart the bars would be if the TK14 were mounted in the factory holes on the DC?

Very interested in this

 

sub'd

 

What's the load capacity of the Thule/Yakima rack? I know the oem rack is around 100lbs but I always assumed that was more about damaging the roof of the truck than the rack itself. I figured regardless of what set up you use the roof itself and more so the channels the rack bolts in would determine load capacity because using factory points they're all going to distribute the load the same way?