I want to DIY a roof rack, but I want to purchase pre-made mounts/gaskets. Any ideas? (1 Viewer)

[Nooooooooob1]

I want to buy a set of pre made mounts/gaskets/hardware and then build my roof rack to those mounts, which would really just be drilling holes in the main bars to match the mounts. Anyone know of a roof rack manufacturer that sells like extra or replacement mounts for their roof racks that might work for me in this scenario? I tried looking around but didn't find much about this specific situation. Something like what's shown in these pictures, but this is on a 4Runner.

 

[chalice]

Checkout Sherpa Equipment Co. - I like their mounting style and I'm anxiously awaiting their full rack that is due out in the next couple of months last time I checked with them.

 

[Nooooooooob1]

Checkout Sherpa Equipment Co. - I like their mounting style and I'm anxiously awaiting their full rack that is due out in the next couple of months last time I checked with them.

Oh hell yeah that's exactly it! Thanks so much.

 

[chalice]

Oh hell yeah that's exactly it! Thanks so much.

 

[grinchy]

Gamiviti likely sells just feet. I think you can get a rhino rack backbone separate. quite a few additional options that are towers and bars.

 

[catastrofe]

As mentioned, Gamiviti: Roof Channel Towers — Gamiviti - http://www.gamiviti.com/roof-channel-towers

 

[Nooooooooob1]

As mentioned, Gamiviti: Roof Channel Towers — Gamiviti - http://www.gamiviti.com/roof-channel-towers

Yup! I ordered a set of 6 towers. Then will build the rest of the rack off those. After poking around their website more, I really like that company. Will probably purchase some more accessories from them in the future.

 

[Nooooooooob1]

Update!

I've already ordered a set of 6 roof channel towers from Gamiviti and purchased some other materials including 16ft of 2" aluminum angle and 20ft of channeled strut(need to get 10 more ft).

The basic plan is for the aluminum angle to be the side bars and the channeled strut will be the cross bars, which can have various brackets/accessories mounted to it with the spring nuts. The aluminum side bars could also be drilled to mount brackets for an awning etc. This will all be painted black and held together with hardware/bolts. Welding resources not available.

What do you think? What should be different?

Roof Channel Towers — Gamiviti - http://www.gamiviti.com/roof-channel-towers

Everbilt 2 in. x 96 in. Aluminum Angle with 1/8 in. Thick-802637 - The Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-2-in-x-96-in-Aluminum-Angle-with-1-8-in-Thick-802637/204325579

Superstrut 10 ft. 14-Gauge Silver Electro-Galvanized Strut Channel-ZB14HS10EG - The Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Superstrut-10-ft-14-Gauge-Silver-Electro-Galvanized-Strut-Channel-ZB14HS10EG/202714280

 

[John Guedry]

Update!

I've already ordered a set of 6 roof channel towers from Gamiviti and purchased some other materials including 16ft of 2" aluminum angle and 20ft of channeled strut(need to get 10 more ft).

The basic plan is for the aluminum angle to be the side bars and the channeled strut will be the cross bars, which can have various brackets/accessories mounted to it with the spring nuts. The aluminum side bars could also be drilled to mount brackets for an awning etc. This will all be painted black and held together with hardware/bolts. Welding resources not available.

What do you think? What should be different?

Roof Channel Towers — Gamiviti - http://www.gamiviti.com/roof-channel-towers

Everbilt 2 in. x 96 in. Aluminum Angle with 1/8 in. Thick-802637 - The Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-2-in-x-96-in-Aluminum-Angle-with-1-8-in-Thick-802637/204325579

Superstrut 10 ft. 14-Gauge Silver Electro-Galvanized Strut Channel-ZB14HS10EG - The Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Superstrut-10-ft-14-Gauge-Silver-Electro-Galvanized-Strut-Channel-ZB14HS10EG/202714280

View attachment 2648773

Very interested in build, I was thinking of doing something similar after seeing the 300 dollar build on the 4runner forum. I researched and saw lots of unistrut builds seems sturdy.

 

[CharlieS]

Make sure to use a cold galvanizing primer or other rust protection on any cut ends of galvanized steel. I’d be inclined to go with extruded aluminum 8020 rather than super strut/unistrut. That’s a lot of unnecessary weight on the roof, raising your center of gravity for no good reason.

 

[Nooooooooob1]

Very interested in build, I was thinking of doing something similar after seeing the 300 dollar build on the 4runner forum. I researched and saw lots of unistrut builds seems sturdy.

Yeah the unistrut feel super sturdy like it can hold a ton of weight if needed. With the obvious tradeoff of being pretty heavy, unfortunately. I'll keep this thread going as I build it out!

 

[Nooooooooob1]

Make sure to use a cold galvanizing primer or other rust protection on any cut ends of galvanized steel. I’d be inclined to go with extruded aluminum 8020 rather than super strut/unistrut. That’s a lot of unnecessary weight on the roof, raising your center of gravity for no good reason.

Good tip on the rust prevention! I'm still on the fence about the aluminum as it was a little more $$ than I wanted to go with but I'll look into it some more. Maybe build another rack in the future with it.

 

[1world1love]

Update!

I've already ordered a set of 6 roof channel towers from Gamiviti and purchased some other materials including 16ft of 2" aluminum angle and 20ft of channeled strut(need to get 10 more ft).

The basic plan is for the aluminum angle to be the side bars and the channeled strut will be the cross bars, which can have various brackets/accessories mounted to it with the spring nuts. The aluminum side bars could also be drilled to mount brackets for an awning etc. This will all be painted black and held together with hardware/bolts. Welding resources not available.

What do you think? What should be different?

Roof Channel Towers — Gamiviti - http://www.gamiviti.com/roof-channel-towers

Everbilt 2 in. x 96 in. Aluminum Angle with 1/8 in. Thick-802637 - The Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-2-in-x-96-in-Aluminum-Angle-with-1-8-in-Thick-802637/204325579

Superstrut 10 ft. 14-Gauge Silver Electro-Galvanized Strut Channel-ZB14HS10EG - The Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Superstrut-10-ft-14-Gauge-Silver-Electro-Galvanized-Strut-Channel-ZB14HS10EG/202714280

View attachment 2648773

You may want to consider sourcing a higher grade angled aluminum. I would be concerned about the HD stock supporting much of anything, and very concerned about an awning. I have had fasteners pull through that 1/8 before, with around 100 lbs of weight.

I also agree with Charlie on the 8020. There are some good sources that are pretty reasonable in cost and it is much lighter and more versatile.

 

[Nooooooooob1]

Ready for paint!

I got the pieces cut to the lengths I want. Side rails are 7ft and cross bars are 51"(same width as Gamiviti).

Next question: After I use cold galvanizing primer on the superstrut, can anyone recommend what specific products I should use to paint? I'm assuming I need to clean up/prep the metal in some way. Then use a primer, and then black. What type of black should I use? Just regular or truck bed liner or something?

 

[1world1love]

Ready for paint!

I got the pieces cut to the lengths I want. Side rails are 7ft and cross bars are 51"(same width as Gamiviti).

Next question: After I use cold galvanizing primer on the superstrut, can anyone recommend what specific products I should use to paint? I'm assuming I need to clean up/prep the metal in some way. Then use a primer, and then black. What type of black should I use? Just regular or truck bed liner or something?

The best way to prep the galvanized for painting is to use plain white vinegar. You can wipe it but it works best if you can submerge it somehow. Let it it set for a few seconds and then dry it well with a lint free cloth rag. Wear gloves to prevent getting any skin oils on it.

 

[1world1love]

The best way to prep the galvanized for painting is to use plain white vinegar. You can wipe it but it works best if you can submerge it somehow. Let it it set for a few seconds and then dry it well with a lint free cloth rag. Wear gloves to prevent getting any skin oils on it.

Sorry, just to clarify, do the vinegar treatment first before the galvanizing primer and again, make sure it is completely dry.

 

[CharlieS]

I don’t get the sense that you plan to weld this rack, but if you do, please be careful. The fumes from welding galvanized steel are really dangerous.

 

[John Guedry]

If vinegar is used in same manner for prepping and painting the roof edging, then you just use the vinegar let dry and paint over.

 

[Nooooooooob1]

Sorry, just to clarify, do the vinegar treatment first before the galvanizing primer and again, make sure it is completely dry.

Ok will do thanks!

 

[Nooooooooob1]

I don’t get the sense that you plan to weld this rack, but if you do, please be careful. The fumes from welding galvanized steel are really dangerous.

Nope, no welding. I could get a harbor freight one and figure it out but I’m just going to do nuts and bolts. I want to be able to take it apart later on if needed.