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MOUNTING FOOT ALTERNATIVE FOR TOPRAC

Discussion in 'PrInSu Design Studio' started by perkj, Aug 1, 2017.

  1. Aug 1, 2017 at 8:54 PM
    #1
    perkj

    perkj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    MOUNTING FOOT ALTERNATIVE FOR TOPRAC

    I broke this post our separately from my "Alternate HW, Extras, etc for Prinsu" thread (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/alternate-hw-extras-etc-for-prinsu.498163/ ) to make it easier for folks to find.

    In this post I will cover a mounting foot alternative for the TopRac. Why would I want different legs you ask? Because I wasn't comfortable with this and the guidance just to stack washers to correct:


    '''

    This seemed both hokey (for a rack this nice) and dangerous (for any rack supporting a lot of weight). The issue is the supplied Prinsu feet do not take into account the sloping roofs on a cap. My solution - the Smittybilt AM-4 Adjust-A-Mount Mounting Brackets:

    https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-AM-4-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B00AQFE8BG/ref=cm_wl_huc_item




    These feet are fully adjustable for the slop of the roof and give you the exact angle you need and work PERFECT. The height comes within 1/4" of the CabRac and with a small modification can be made to come within 1/8". Below are some pictures of them installed:





    Here is where you'd want to make a cut to allow you to get the height to within 1/8" of the CabRac. Mask off the line you want to cut, use a cutting wheel to make the cut and then hit it with some Rustolium Bedliner spray paint. This is exactly what I did. It should be noted that the Prinsu legs were also not perfectly even with the CabRac and the TopRac on my SnugTop. The naked eye won't even see either the 1/4" or 1/8" difference:
     
  2. Aug 1, 2017 at 9:00 PM
    #2
    perkj

    perkj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Here are some additional pictures showing the post cut to the mount mentioned above as well as showing the ability to mount four feet per side for extra rack strength:




    And you see here I put 4 on each side:

     
  3. Nov 23, 2017 at 10:08 PM
    #3
    Coop68

    Coop68 Well-Known Member

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    Method double standards 16" COOPER S/T MAXX 285/75/16 DEI clifford 2-way remote start with smart-start. Lift Kings with Dakar TC UCA extended brake lines Keyless POP-N-Lock tailgate lock,relentless tailgate reinforcement, Weather Tech Mats all around, pelfreybilt front bumper steel with middle hoop warn VR-8000s switch Pro lights coming soon see build thread
    Thanks for making this! Long story short i bought a used old style toprac two years old that mounts using the side rails see pic. Wont work with my sungtop going to cut them off and order these basicly the same cost order new feet from prinsu, but if these mount better on the snug top ill give them a shot!

    37BF28B7-7063-4567-9B74-995BEF7EEA55.jpg
     
    mcharfauros and Inferno__Taco like this.
  4. Dec 28, 2017 at 8:00 AM
    #4
    energygeek

    energygeek WassawBound

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    Current Setup: Tire: 33" KO2 Wheels: SCS Front: Bilstien 6112 Rear: Bilstien 5100 & OME Leafs Storage: Decked and SnugTop Brakes: Extended Stainless Lines Roof Rack: Prinsu Towing: Tacoma Tow Package with REDAC brake controller Kayak Bunks: 3" PVC. :) Sleep Setup: In shell or on roof with Plywood and Big Agnes Fly Creek II Cooler: RTIC 65 Liter Future Mods: Winch: MileMaker 12000, install in progress. Bumpers: Any Suggestions? Dual Battery: Roof Top Tent: FSR Power Management: SPOD Brake Upgrade: 4 Runner Conversion Needs Fixing: Wheel Wells Broken Sway Bar bolt
    I ran into the same issue with my SnugTop. I followed the advice from the web and drilled the holes outside of the honeycomb. This caused the brackets to be mounted wider than the cross bar and on the more curved section of the cap. If I had it to do over again, I would have just sourced much larger washers and longer bolts then mounted it through the honeycomb.

    I ended up taking the hacksaw to the forward cab bracket. I've left the aft bracket alone as it wasn't sticking out beyond the crossbar. I'm still trying to decide what to do here. Shall I use spacers and longer bolts or hack the aft brackets off too? I'm also concerned about the torque being applied to the tracks/cap.

    The Smittybuilt bracket only has 2 bolts connected to the cross members. I figure my solution to hack the bracket down is just as strong. That said, the Smittybuilt solution does seem to resolve the torque concerns.

    Is there any movement in the rack when using the Smittybuilt brackets?


     
  5. Dec 28, 2017 at 8:02 AM
    #5
    perkj

    perkj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Zero movement with the Smilttybilt mounts.
     
    Chukwithak likes this.
  6. Dec 28, 2017 at 8:26 AM
    #6
    Coop68

    Coop68 Well-Known Member

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    https://www.rokmen.com/drop-down-aluminum-tailgate-w-storage-compartment-562.html

    if price is no object these are some new billet mounts that where just created from a off-road manufacture in Colorado. I might try these I know they are $$ but I am a big guy and I haven't tried putting the smilttybilt ones on yet since my truck has been in in the shop. these look really stout, I wasn't very impressed with the smilttybilt also doesn't help when it took me a month go get all the parts from 4wheelparts.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    mcharfauros likes this.
  7. Dec 28, 2017 at 8:38 AM
    #7
    energygeek

    energygeek WassawBound

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    Current Setup: Tire: 33" KO2 Wheels: SCS Front: Bilstien 6112 Rear: Bilstien 5100 & OME Leafs Storage: Decked and SnugTop Brakes: Extended Stainless Lines Roof Rack: Prinsu Towing: Tacoma Tow Package with REDAC brake controller Kayak Bunks: 3" PVC. :) Sleep Setup: In shell or on roof with Plywood and Big Agnes Fly Creek II Cooler: RTIC 65 Liter Future Mods: Winch: MileMaker 12000, install in progress. Bumpers: Any Suggestions? Dual Battery: Roof Top Tent: FSR Power Management: SPOD Brake Upgrade: 4 Runner Conversion Needs Fixing: Wheel Wells Broken Sway Bar bolt

    Whoa! That's hella expensive. More than twice what I'd be willing to spend.
     
  8. Dec 28, 2017 at 8:47 AM
    #8
    Coop68

    Coop68 Well-Known Member

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    yeah not cheap, I don't have any mounts anyway so I have to buy something. heck prinsu mounts are 120.00 for 4 plus shipping to order those mounting feet that now come with them.
     
  9. Dec 28, 2017 at 9:02 AM
    #9
    energygeek

    energygeek WassawBound

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    Yeah, I saw that after I hacked mine off. :annoyed:
     
    Coop68[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Dec 28, 2017 at 12:37 PM
    #10
    energygeek

    energygeek WassawBound

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    Current Setup: Tire: 33" KO2 Wheels: SCS Front: Bilstien 6112 Rear: Bilstien 5100 & OME Leafs Storage: Decked and SnugTop Brakes: Extended Stainless Lines Roof Rack: Prinsu Towing: Tacoma Tow Package with REDAC brake controller Kayak Bunks: 3" PVC. :) Sleep Setup: In shell or on roof with Plywood and Big Agnes Fly Creek II Cooler: RTIC 65 Liter Future Mods: Winch: MileMaker 12000, install in progress. Bumpers: Any Suggestions? Dual Battery: Roof Top Tent: FSR Power Management: SPOD Brake Upgrade: 4 Runner Conversion Needs Fixing: Wheel Wells Broken Sway Bar bolt

    I managed to find longer stainless steel carriage bolts at Home Depot. I figure I'll make due with these and a stack of washers. $25 seems way better than $400.
     
  11. Dec 28, 2017 at 12:51 PM
    #11
    Coop68

    Coop68 Well-Known Member

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    yeah I don't blame you and its sold in pairs so be 200 but still a chunk of change either way!
     
  12. Feb 25, 2018 at 7:00 AM
    #12
    Mista_G

    Mista_G Well-Known Member

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    How many mounting brackets come in each order? Also was hardware included? Appreciate the info and would you mind being a little more specific on where to cut? Just want to make sure I do it right. I saw the pic but I’m also an idiot, hence me asking. Thanks man.
     
  13. Feb 25, 2018 at 8:11 AM
    #13
    perkj

    perkj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    See the Amazon link in my OP above. That kit comes with 4, but Smittybilt also offers kits with 6, 8, 10, and 12. Model # is AM-x where “x” is the number of brackets.

    You do not “need” to cut the bracket, only if you see a noticeable difference between the TopRac and the CabRac. I’d personal mount first without cutting and only cut if necessary. The cut is about 1/8 to 3/16” of an inch from the bracket piece with the red oval I highlighted.

    For hardware you will use some of the included HW with the brackets to put all the bracket pieces together. However to attach to the prinsu and cap tracks you will need the following:

    1/4-20 at 1/2” length Carriage bolts with washers and nuts. You will need 8. I used stainless steel.

    M6 at 14mm bolt with lock washer and regular washer. Again 8 needed and I use SS.

    Finally you will need these for your cap trackk, the M6 bolts will go into these: https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=8810074

    Below the new red straight line is basically where you will want to cut so everything above the line is removed:

    F7CF6C96-EB0D-4FEB-929C-7A407E0B89F9.jpg
     
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  14. Feb 25, 2018 at 8:50 AM
    #14
    Mista_G

    Mista_G Well-Known Member

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    Ok cool. So if I already have the Prinsu mounting feet w/hardware I technically only need to order the brackets and reuse carriage bolts, M6’s and other parts that I would have used with the normal Prinsu feet.
     
  15. Feb 25, 2018 at 9:41 AM
    #15
    perkj

    perkj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Correct.
    The M6 bolts from prinsu are bit long but you can stack an additional washer or two.
     
  16. Feb 25, 2018 at 10:50 AM
    #16
    Mista_G

    Mista_G Well-Known Member

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    Appreciate the help. One last question. Regarding assembling and mounting the brackets, attaching to tracks and then attaching cross bars. What order would your recommend to get the flushest/best fit when installing? Assemble brackets and attach to cross bar, then attach to track and adjust or...?
     
  17. Feb 25, 2018 at 11:08 AM
    #17
    perkj

    perkj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Assemble the bracket with all bolt and nuts loose. Attach it to the prinsu( again keeping everything loose. Then attach to the cap tracks. Center everything up and then tighten everything down.
     
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  18. Feb 25, 2018 at 5:13 PM
    #18
    Mista_G

    Mista_G Well-Known Member

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    Thanks man. Really appreciate it. I picked up a top rac used and didn’t like the way it didn’t lie flush on the rails. Going to give this a go.
     
  19. Oct 9, 2018 at 6:29 PM
    #19
    Toyotico

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    @perkj thanks for this thread and the others! I just started installing my toprack and it wasn’t lining up, this helped me out a lot. Have these feet on the way!:thumbsup:
     
  20. Dec 16, 2018 at 7:37 AM
    #20
    Zarot101

    Zarot101 Well-Known Member

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    Awesome information, thanks. Ive been planning out everything I want and what order to get it in and this is going to be around the top of the list after my suspension and tires come in.
     
    perkj[OP] likes this.

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