Roof Rack Questions

I purchased a Leer camper shell for my 3rd Gen about a year ago and opted out for an additional charge on adding a roof rack to it. Now that I've gotten some use out of it, I realized that opting out for a roof rack was not the best decision.

I'm in the market now for a roof rack but from what I understand, I need tracks to be mounted to the shell and then add on the rack after.

Where should I go for finding tracks to be mounted on the shell? Are roof tracks the preferred option? Any help is appreciated!!!

 

I guess i would start with what type of shell roof rack you want? you can just do the bars or an actual rack? Whats your price?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-rack-for-my-leer-shell.341402/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/camper-shell-rack-options.538488/

 

Keep in mind that the Leer cap with a roof rack has a reinforced roof for the tracks. Adding the tracks after the fact may not bode well for the integrity of the roof fiberglass.
I know this because I have one that came from the factory with a rack.

 

I ordered the factory Thule tracks with my Leer shell (a $225 option). To be honest, I don't believe that the cap itself was reinforced in any way for the tracks. The tracks were placed 42" apart, which put them outboard of the thickened "core" section of the roof. (That outboard section is indeed the strongest part.) Knowing what I know now, I could just as easily have installed the tracks myself, and saved some money. Leer tries to scare you by saying that self-installed tracks will "void your warranty." This is hogwash. If you are careful, and know what you're doing, you can do just as good a job as the factory. Maybe better.

BTW, I also put a Leer cap on my 2000 Ford Ranger when it was new. Soon afterwards, I cut a big hole in the roof and installed a sunroof. In all the years of ownership, the only warranty issue that came up was replacement of the 3rd brake light. Leer covered that -- no problem -- despite the owner-installed sunroof. In other words, to affect the warranty, an owner alteration must somehow be relevant to the warranty-covered defect.

 

Just measured mine. I stand corrected. I ordered mine with the cargo hooks down each side. They are fastened into thickened strips (probably an embedded wood strips) that are 32" c/c.