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Roof Rack Help

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by StAndrew, May 15, 2017.

  1. May 15, 2017 at 5:20 PM
    #1
    StAndrew

    StAndrew [OP] Wait for it...

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    Chris
    Hampton Roads, Va
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    Intake, exhaust, lift. Typical stuff.
    Looking for an affordable roof rack for 4 door and bed cap. Just got a new canoe and want to put it on the roof. Need ideas.

    Thanks :D
     
  2. May 15, 2017 at 6:29 PM
    #2
    Buck18

    Buck18 Well-Known Member

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    IMG_0725.jpg I did the 4Runner OEM roof rack on my DC. @Ghost65 has an awesome build thread on doing his. It turned out great. I haul my 14 ft, 85 lb Old Town Guide canoe on mine and it works perfect. Bought rack from junk yard for $50. I cut 2 inches off of each end of the rack because of the difference in roof lines. 2IMG_0739.jpgIMG_0726.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2017
  3. May 21, 2017 at 10:05 AM
    #3
    geoyota760

    geoyota760 Allergic to pavement

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    Dude...that looks GREAT. :thumbsup:
     
    Buck18 likes this.
  4. May 21, 2017 at 12:50 PM
    #4
    Captain Magma

    Captain Magma Well-Known Member

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    If you're not feeling up to drilling into your roof, Yakima Qtowers are removable and put the weight over the sides of the roof which are nice and strong. Plus you can adjust the position of the towers and even add a third or fourth tower if you really wanted too

    Only thing I don't like about it is that they are not super low profile like the 4runner one or the racks available for the second and third gen tacomas. Unfortunetly we just don't have a ton of options to choose from :(

    These are the best pics I have on hand of the setup

    IMG_6670.jpg

    IMG_6374.jpg
     
  5. May 22, 2017 at 1:34 PM
    #5
    geoyota760

    geoyota760 Allergic to pavement

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    Totally agree...and the Yakima system is much more "user friendly" than Thule. The new-er Baseline towers lower things just a bit over the Q-Towers, but both are effective "non drill" approaches.

    Your set up looks great as well. :thumbsup:
     
    Buck18 likes this.
  6. May 22, 2017 at 1:39 PM
    #6
    geoyota760

    geoyota760 Allergic to pavement

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    Define "affordable..." ;)

    Roof racks, and securing potentially accident causing expensive gear shouldn't always be about the quantity of the green backs remaining in your wallet (IMO)...BUT, if you can find and adapt a secure roof rack system, then have at it!

    With respect to bed caps, inexpensive fiberglass options pop up on Craigslist frequently for Tacomas...but if you want flexibility and a quality sub $1,000 option be sure to look at softopper.com...their Boulder CO soft covers are great (IMO again). I've had mine for two years of off road/on road adventure and have been very pleased with it's performance. :thumbsup:
     
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  7. May 22, 2017 at 2:30 PM
    #7
    Ryan_3TacosIn

    Ryan_3TacosIn Well-Known Member

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    OME Shocks, 883 Coilovers, Synthetic Brake Lines, Dakar Leafs with AAL, Baja Rear Bumper; ES Body mount Bushings, Light Racing UCAs, American Racing Wheels w/ 33" Hercules Tires, and more to come...
    That's a good looking truck. Really like the whole look of it.
     
    Captain Magma[QUOTED] and Buck18 like this.
  8. May 22, 2017 at 3:20 PM
    #8
    Buck18

    Buck18 Well-Known Member

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    I thought about using Q towers but it just wasn't in the budget. I also liked the low profile, factory or OEM look of a roof rack off a 3rd gen 4Runner. Plus cost is only about $75 or so including rack. I get compliments on my roof rack often. Not many 1st gens came factory with a roof rack. Many people tell me it looks like it came from the factory with it !
     
  9. May 24, 2017 at 2:58 PM
    #9
    GoJo

    GoJo Well-Known Member

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  10. May 25, 2017 at 5:41 AM
    #10
    TacoSauce04

    TacoSauce04 Well-Known Member

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    Yakima q towers can be found on CL for more than half off. Thats how i pieced my racks together. If you are not in a rush you can find everything you need on CL. You might need to order the correct clips for your truck but everything else is universal fit.

    20170417_151759_1492985613646.jpg
    20170522_160012.jpg
     
    Captain Magma likes this.
  11. May 25, 2017 at 5:42 AM
    #11
    TacoSauce04

    TacoSauce04 Well-Known Member

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    Yakima clips on a DC tacoma

    IMG_6462.jpg
     
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  12. May 25, 2017 at 5:43 AM
    #12
    TacoSauce04

    TacoSauce04 Well-Known Member

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    Clip #117
     
  13. May 25, 2017 at 7:29 AM
    #13
    Captain Magma

    Captain Magma Well-Known Member

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    This pic looks familiar haha
     
  14. May 25, 2017 at 7:34 AM
    #14
    TacoSauce04

    TacoSauce04 Well-Known Member

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    Yes sir, it helped me so i thought id pass it along. Thanks again!
     
    Captain Magma likes this.
  15. May 31, 2017 at 2:23 PM
    #15
    Seagull233

    Seagull233 Well-Known Member

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    BMW seats, OME Suspension, CBI and NWTI plates front and rear, 13,000 winch, LED light bars, Ham Radio, topper with roof rack added, stainless exhaust, 2nd battery, inverter, sound deadener
    I went with a low cost Curt basket and extension from Amazon, at about $160. This rack is made to add to an existing roof rack, but since my cap didn't have one, I made four mounting blocks from "CNC Mill material Plastic black ABS block lot (1 pc.) 1 1/4" THICK STOCK " purchased on eBay for $9.00. It was about 20 inches long, so I was able to cut it into 4 inch x 3 inch x 1 1/4 pieces. This can be worked with woodworking tools. I used a belt sander to work a slight angle on the side toward the cap, so that the blocks were perpendicular. I also used a router to cut a groove into which the rail of the rack settles. I drilled holes through the rack, then block, and finally through the cap to use long bolts to fully secure the cap. I also drilled additional holes to allow access for wiring for the driving and backup lights to be run through the rails and out close to the lights. Although not evident in the pictures, the rack extends about 10 inches over the cab. The light bar is mounted to the lower bar, and doesn't stick up far enough to interfere with anything laid on the upper rails. I made brackets to hold the high lift jack.

    IMG_0516.jpg IMG_0517.jpg IMG_0518.jpg
     
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    #15
    StAndrew[OP] likes this.
  16. Jun 7, 2018 at 12:30 AM
    #16
    Dangorah

    Dangorah Well-Known Member

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    What basket are you using for the roof rack?
     
  17. Jun 7, 2018 at 5:40 AM
    #17
    Captain Magma

    Captain Magma Well-Known Member

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    I was using a Highland basket, now I have a Rhino Rack mesh platform
     
  18. Jun 7, 2018 at 9:05 AM
    #18
    cruisedon66

    cruisedon66 Well-Known Member

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  19. Feb 15, 2019 at 7:27 AM
    #19
    Captain Magma

    Captain Magma Well-Known Member

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    I really like it, I went with the medium size platform and it's the perfect size for the double cab.
     
    01x4[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Feb 15, 2019 at 7:34 AM
    #20
    Captain Magma

    Captain Magma Well-Known Member

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    Yup had mine in 2 days haha, really surprised there are not more people running them, especially with the slim pickings for 1st gens
     
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