Proposed roof rack mod - thoughts?

[Small_words]

The plastic trim pieces on the roof of my 96 4Runner are faded and cracked, so I'm thinking of replacing them. I don't have the factory roof rack. I thought that instead of springing for new plastic that isn't useful, I'd replace them with a piece of C-channel aluminum. I'd cut the channel to the same length, bob and grind the ends, cross drill about 15 times to create tie-offs, paint black, and cover underside with thin rubber and then use the factory screws to attach it to the car again. Thoughts? I imagine this post is useless without pics. I'll scan a sketch later.

[4runnerchevy]

Thoughts? I imagine this post is useless without pics. I'll scan a sketch later.


:pics:

[Robinhood4x4]

How big of C channel are you thinking?

[Bob98SR5]

erik,

depends on what you plan to do with it. my biggest concern is that everything you build after that will need to be custom built.

to find roof rack rails at a junkyard is not difficult. i have a local JY that i visit and i see 4runners there all the time. next time im there, i can have a look see for you if you'd like, but dont hold your breath b/c i wont be able to go until the end of next month.

bob

[Small_words]

I was thinking 1" wide, 3/4" deep, about 3' long. I haven't measured the existing piece and I'd make it the same length. I have a Yakima rack and so don't want to interfere with it of course. I'll get on the pics.

[slosurfer]

I think you could also use the hardware from a JY minivan as well. I think Reggie00 has rails from a van on his 2nd gen 4runner.

[reggie 00]

I do.
Parts from three different ones actually.
I just cut them to size and painted them.

[Small_words]

Reggie, do you have any pics? I'm pretty curious

[reggie 00]

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=2218.0

Here ya go.

[Small_words]

Thanks Hoss