What mod did you add to your Toyota this weekend?

[JWaldz]

RTT = Roof Top Tent

It's doable to use just loadbars/crossbars along the bottom of the tent but if the tent doesn't have a solid floor then you'll want to have a full rack. I'm sure most tents have some form of finished floor but some might be thinner or less insulated that others. A full length rack is obviously going to be the most sturdy setup but the most costly as well.

 

[YotaJosh]

RTT is Roof Top Tent.

Roof racks get expensive fast, as do the gutter mounts. I was going to use some used Yakima A1 gutter mounts, cross bars, and a modified aluminum ATV ramp to built a roof rack, but I soon realized that I wouldn't use it much and the wind noise bothered me. I agree that there are plenty of questionable, homemade attempts, and most of these are driven by the high cost of quality racks.

Edit: picture of my mockup:

 

[Bama4door]

Josh,

Are the gutter mounts in the pic you posted the Yakima A1's you mentioned? Also what length are those crossbars? 58"?

 

[YotaJosh]

Josh,

Are the gutter mounts in the pic you posted the Yakima A1's you mentioned? Also what length are those crossbars? 58"?

Yes and yes.

 

[M0untaineer]

Cole- RTTs are nice if you 1. Camp a lot and have friends that can help you put it on the roof rack and pull it off the roof rack before you go wheelin' or 2. Want to be up off the ground and don't mind climbing down in the middle of the night to take a whiz...or if you don't mind helping your significant other down so they don't bust their a$$...Consider this though- once the tent is up, you probably are not going to want to tear it back down if you want/need to drive somewhere...kinda sucks if for instance you've got camp all made, stove out, chairs, etc and then you decide to make a beer run... My two cents if I had it to do over again...get an OZ tent that sets up in like 2 seconds, lash it to a roof rack if you can't or don't want it in the truck and don't look back...RTTs look cool and are cool, but kinda a pain in the ass...oh and make room for a small step ladder if you're going RTT...setting up and tearing down the RTT is a pain in the butt...if you're stuck on roof top campers...get a James Baroud or the like that you crank up...but that's more in the $2-3k range if memory serves...

here's the setup that I had...

here's an oztent...

here's a James Baroud:

 

[M0untaineer]

Never thought about a rack affecting the "top heaviness" of the vehicle that bad. I am worried that if I am out on this excursion I will A. run out of gas or B. pop two tires and be stuck in the middle of nowhere with just my boys. Those are far reaching scenarios, I know, but I still want to be prepared for trips like these.

Understand you're wanting to just be prepared...in that case roof rack sounds good...you might look at arb or frontrunner racks as well...as long as you're not getting into serious off road situations (I mean like off road vehicle park situations and are doing more overland style traveling you're fine)...

 

[Bama4door]

Thanks Eli @M0untaineer. You wouldn't happen to have any old 60 series stuff would you (roof rack, awning, RTT etc)?

 

[M0untaineer]

Sadly no...sorry Cole.

 

[YotaJosh]

Finally got my new wheels and tires on the cruiser.

295/70/17 Nitto Trail Grapplers mounted on FJC steel wheels. Also running 1.5" wheel spacers.

 

[Bama4door]

@YotaJosh

Those look great Josh! How much were the FJ steelies?

Also, would you happen to still have the Yakima mounts and bars? Want to sell them?

 

[YotaJosh]

I got all 5 of them for right at $300 from two different sources.

I still have the Yakima stuff, but I plan on keeping it. I need it for canoe/kayak hauling. Watch craigslist and the MUDBay part of this forum. They pop up from time to time.

 

[JWaldz]

Tire/Wheel Combo look great Josh! I'm glad I was able to get away with not having to use your spacers. I actually just got an email that my wheels will finally be here next week on Wednesday. Have you done any experimental flexing to see if the new setup rubs anywhere?

 

[YotaJosh]

No flexing yet. It actually just left the garage this morning after a week long prep session, so I have a total of 2 miles on them right now. I don't expect them to rub much. I couldn't run them without the spacers. The FJC wheels have so much offset!

 

[OldTruck38]

Finally got my new wheels and tires on the cruiser.

295/70/17 Nitto Trail Grapplers mounted on FJC steel wheels. Also running 1.5" wheel spacers.

That's a very cool look. I like the stance.

 

[OldTruck38]

well the thread says "What mod did you add to your Toyota this weekend?"
ok, so i'm too Add or lazy to finish any one project in a weekend ..... my '86 pu is in my garage .... So, I am not an experienced wrench by any stretch ...
1. however, for those of you that were there, I have managed to pull the radiator, carry it to radiator shop, and have it repaired. I now have it remounted in the truck, but have been to O'Reilly's 2x sorting through radiator hoses, I'm sure they think I'm flirting with the counter girl (I ALWAYS wait until she is not busy, may try 4 pics next trip).
2. anyway, for those of you that have seen my hill climbing tactics, of course the 3rd member leaks because of banging the studs on rocks. I have the 3rd member loose, but haven't pulled the axles yet, waiting on liquid wrench to dissolve the mud/rust continuum on the axle nuts . . .
it's a process

 

[fjfodee]

Right on Stacey!

 

[M0untaineer]

Finally got my new wheels and tires on the cruiser.

295/70/17 Nitto Trail Grapplers mounted on FJC steel wheels. Also running 1.5" wheel spacers.

Josh- those wheels are sweet...nice job boss!

 

[M0untaineer]

Progress is progress Stacey...don't sell yourself short......making headway counts

 

[PinnaclePete]

Last weekends project - US Offroad bumper w/ Engo 9000 lb. winch, synthetic line...

 

[PinnaclePete]

This weekends project, mount my new ARB awning....ready to do some shows in next 2 weeks