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View Full Version : A Roof Rack we will Add



reggie 00
08-09-2007, 09:08 PM
Well i never like the fact i didn't have a roof rack. So today i rectify that situation.

First side done, Losing light fast, will have better pics tomorrow when i do the other side.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/DSCF1577.jpg

The Tools. On TOF there was a guy who added a rack, his buddy a Auto Tech had a tool they used to attach everything. When asked about it his buddy told him he got it from Mac truck i think. That got me searching, Pops pointed me in the right direction. My Uncle had one from his old shop. Borrowed it and ... Broke it on the third hole.
Not to be discouraged i ordered a new part to fix it. While out today i went by Harbor Freight just to see if maybe..... Yes they did, $14, and a little better design than the older one i had borrowed.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/DSCF1578.jpg

Well you need a drill and a bit to make your hole. I needed a 3/8". The rivet looking deal is a thread sert gun, there is another name but i cant remember it. And then some Thread serts and screws. I'm doing 1/4- 20's dont want it to come off now do we. A pick to mark the holes and then Drill.

No real method i lines it up where i thought it looked good. Will measure it up and match the other side to it.

The roof rack materials are off a couple of Mini-Vans. The cross ribs are about 2-3" to long but he construction of them make it really easy to take apart and shorten.

2- roof rails, 3- cross ribs, 3- lower cross ribs: $16
1- Thread sert gun with enough to attach everything $14
1- Drill with a bit sharp enough to cut he living h--- out of you when you forget it on the sunroof and open it to check clearance- 1 band aid

olharleyman
08-09-2007, 11:52 PM
Hey That was me who your talking about with the MAC tool thing glad you found one they really make a big difference. Just remember to add silicone to the bottom of the screws as you put them in and it will help make them water proof. Just to update you I have 0 leaks and that thing I think you could hang off it maybe even better then stock. Also if you have not done it already mark your cross members with some tape so you don't drill into them and also with your drill bit use a piece of wood drill Thur it till you have only enough bit coming out the other side so you don't drill into the headliner. Just a couple things you might be able to use and get it done without any damage to the inside. looking forward to seeing it after you get in installed. Also you say you got that new one from Harbor Freight?? Got a part number I might just get one to have around never know when it will come in handy. Also it would be a good idea to add one rail to the mounted side and the unmounted side so you can get the other side to line up and not drill into the roof blindly and find that it was misaligned and wont fit correctly. I put mine together with the rear and front rails in place for rigidity and squareness then marked all the holes with a sharpie and blue painter's tape drilled the holes and inserted the inserts into a couple of the middle inserts to hold it solid for the rest of the inserts then slide the front and rear out of the way and put the screws into the rest. Also stainless steel 1/4 20's work best for anti-rust and with the silicone on top of that your golden.

reggie 00
08-11-2007, 09:54 PM
All done.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/DSCF1589.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/DSCF1588.jpg

Got the other side rail on. Like olharleyman said mark you crossmembers and drop the headliner down. Me its a $600 project, i just lined everything up and drilled. Have a couple small holes cause i was using a unibit.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/DSCF1585.jpg

After you get both sides on. Take off one of the ends, attach the other end in the side rail and mark the other for proper size. Mine where like 35 3/4". Cut em down to size and test fit. After everything is all good drill the hole for the set screw and then install.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/DSCF1587.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/DSCF1586.jpg

Was all pretty easy.

here is the tool that makes it so easy

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=1210

Obi..
03-28-2009, 02:19 PM
*Bump for another thread...

Tools are a Uni-Bit and Nut-Sert Gun. :thumbup:

Bob98SR5
03-29-2009, 12:48 AM
also called a "thread setter". these things look cool. gotta get me one of them!

slowheelin
03-29-2009, 10:51 AM
also called a "thread setter". these things look cool. gotta get me one of them!


Ya me too and a rack!

Scuba
03-29-2009, 11:45 AM
So was that off another 2nd gen runner or what ?

Obi..
03-29-2009, 01:56 PM
So was that off another 2nd gen runner or what ?


The roof rack materials are off a couple of Mini-Vans. The cross ribs are about 2-3" to long but he construction of them make it really easy to take apart and shorten.

It's all pretty much universal stuff, ie: For Lil'Bros spare set I used a set of crosbars from my Buick and cut them down just like Reggie did.

I still say (know from experience) the Thule Bars and 430 Tracker Towers w/ the TK1 kit are much stronger and more reliable, especially if you plan to put a spare tire, fuel, or rtt up there.

corax
03-29-2009, 02:38 PM
Nice work on the rack, wish I could have just used thread-serts when I did mine . . .

snagged this one off of an Isuzu Rodeo - same thing about the cross bars and shortening them - - BTW, this same exact type of rack I've found has been used on numerous brands - they're all supplied by an outside vendor to the manufacturer

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/3096/1000028gc8.jpg

Bob98SR5
03-29-2009, 05:52 PM
i need to add some bars to the mercedes...thanks for the great thread, reg.

Scuba
03-29-2009, 09:00 PM
It's all pretty much universal stuff, ie: For Lil'Bros spare set I used a set of crosbars from my Buick and cut them down just like Reggie did.

I still say (know from experience) the Thule Bars and 430 Tracker Towers w/ the TK1 kit are much stronger and more reliable, especially if you plan to put a spare tire, fuel, or rtt up there.


Ill deff look into it, this mught be on my single cab taco, So no spare tire up there..

Great write up reggie !!