What products would you like to see?

[WarDamnEagle]

I have been thinking about having a roof rack built but I would want it out of aluminum. I like the design of the first photo but I would want it to attach like the trackracks (i.e. bolted into the fiberglass with threaded inserts. I would use 1" round tubing for the sides and 3/4" square tubing for the runners. If you look at the top dimensions of a Gen1 4Runner, something like 42" by 66" would be perfect.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

The roof of the gen1 4Runners is double-walled near the edged (see photo). I would design the runners that attach to the roof such that they rest in this area so that the threaded inserts do not show from the inside. You also wouldn't have to drop the fiberglass roof headliner to do the install. I don't know about the area where the windows roll onto the top. You might not have enough double-walled space there to fit the runner so the runner might have to be discontiguous like these Blackout roof racks (see photo).

 

[CurleysRacecars]

Thanks a bunch for the input WDE! Im just curious as to why a track system would be better suited than a couple anchor points that coule be quick disconnects somehow?
The rack I showed a picture of was for a single cab truck, which is why it is the size that it is, and why I talked about using magnets to hold the front down onto the roof.
When it comes to the 4Runners, theres alot more options to pick from when the time comes to mount the rack. Id have to look into some kind of track system, but something tells me Im either not going to be able to find them, or it will drive the price way up.
Thanks again for the time you took to express your opinion. Its greatly appreciated!

Kyle

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Kyle,

You don't need a track system. I only showed that rack for illustrative purposes to show racks made specifically for fiberglass roofs. Just imagine runners going front to back that will sit flat on the roof with holes in them periodically. I'm thinking 1/4" thick aluminum by 1" +/- wide. You then mark the holes in the roof, drill holes, insert and anchor threaded inserts (see photo) and attach the rack with the appropriate sized screws. They even make those inserts with sealed bottoms. That way you can remove the rack by removing a few screws and drive away without worrying about rain.

The blackout roofrack that I attached earlier is connected to that suburban with threaded inserts (aka "nutserts"). It comes off by removing the screws. As you can see from the photo of it, it would have been very easy to have had one runner on each side instead of those individual "feet".

 

[CurleysRacecars]

Thanks for the idea! Makes perfect sense now! Ive used the pem-nuts for a gazillion things...dont know why I didnt think about it before. The simple drawing you posted above with dimensions is the basic layout of a 4Runner roof? Therefore, the basket would be 42x66 like you mentioned before?
Ill have to draw the basket up on bend tech tonight, and maybe buy some square tubing this week. Any way to get a dimension to the center of the double thick areas on the 4Runner tops, that way I can be sure to make the mounting points line up in those areas?

Thanks again for the ideas!

Kyle

 

[NorCalBorn]

Dual Sunvisor option for our trucks, maybe like the Icon has so when driving with the sun to the side and forward you can use your solid visor for the front with a semi transparent one for the driver's window. Maybe just an adapter and use another factory set? *Not the slide out b.s. but a whole other one that goes separate, get-it..*Can't find the picture john Ward had available right now so this pic is only for a reference..

No sense in going blind and all.


Also, a halfway decent locking replacement center console wouldn't hurt. Sucks having to mod an ammo case or some pos heep product or a worse pos Waldemort plastic thing.

 

[CurleysRacecars]

Dual Sunvisor option for our trucks, maybe like the Icon has so when driving with the sun to the side and forward you can use your solid visor for the front with a semi transparent one for the driver's window. Maybe just an adapter and use another factory set? *Not the slide out b.s. but a whole other one that goes separate, get-it..*Can't find the picture john Ward had available right now so this pic is only for a reference..

No sense in going blind and all.


Also, a halfway decent locking replacement center console wouldn't hurt. Sucks having to mod an ammo case or some pos heep product or a worse pos Waldemort plastic thing.

Cool idea on the visors...never seen that done before. As for the center console...something else that should be fairly easy. Sheetmetal is somewhat easy for me, especially have access to lasers and brakes. Any pictures of the factory one? I could almost duplicate the outer shape so it fit nicely, but make it more durable and of higher quality. Thanks for the suggestions!

Kyle

 

[NorCalBorn]

..Thanks for the suggestions!

Kyle

No problem, my only charge is I require the first demo version of whatever you try out, erm, build.. for me to try out..ship or delivered to S.F. Bay Area of course.
*You're still in the 916 right, need a set-up rig (4Runner) to use, let me know.

 

[CurleysRacecars]

HAHA. For sure...Im in Citrus Heights to be exact.

Kyle

 

[NorCalBorn]

How about..something along these lines...re: Flushmoun Recessed Storage SUV-Stupid-Idea #2



Now..
*O/T..Knew I recognized the name from somewhere...our other ride's one of these from 1995, ex-doj w/ the posi and 5.7
If you were there that night I was the guy who burned both rears off less than 25 yards down from the light. Stupid idea playing with streets and getting them too hot.

Named it Clark (Griswold/Kent) and it's a really fun sleeper, good times making the beemer and honda guys eat their words.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Thanks for the idea! Makes perfect sense now! Ive used the pem-nuts for a gazillion things...dont know why I didnt think about it before. The simple drawing you posted above with dimensions is the basic layout of a 4Runner roof? Therefore, the basket would be 42x66 like you mentioned before?
Ill have to draw the basket up on bend tech tonight, and maybe buy some square tubing this week. Any way to get a dimension to the center of the double thick areas on the 4Runner tops, that way I can be sure to make the mounting points line up in those areas?

Thanks again for the ideas!

Kyle

Kyle, I don't have those dimension to hand and my 4Runner is 6000 miles away. If you had a Gen1 4Runner to look at though, the measurement is fairly easy to get as the headliner stops where the roof goes back to a single panel. Here's a photo of the inside that I did have handy on my computer. Again, the part where it's a bit fuzzy in my mind is where those two back windows wrap partially onto the top.

 

[CurleysRacecars]

How about..something along these lines...re: Flushmoun Recessed Storage SUV-Stupid-Idea #2



Now..
*O/T..Knew I recognized the name from somewhere...our other ride's one of these from 1995, ex-doj w/ the posi and 5.7
If you were there that night I was the guy who burned both rears off less than 25 yards down from the light. Stupid idea playing with streets and getting them too hot.

Named it Clark (Griswold/Kent) and it's a really fun sleeper, good times making the beemer and honda guys eat their words.

The lockable box idea would be fairly simple, I just dont know how big of a market there is for things like that. Ill have to check around. As for the night with the car, I dont remember anything like that...?? Sorry.

Kyle

 

[CurleysRacecars]

Kyle, I don't have those dimension to hand and my 4Runner is 6000 miles away. If you had a Gen1 4Runner to look at though, the measurement is fairly easy to get as the headliner stops where the roof goes back to a single panel. Here's a photo of the inside that I did have handy on my computer. Again, the part where it's a bit fuzzy in my mind is where those two back windows wrap partially onto the top.

Ill have to find someone local with a Runner and use it for dimensioning. Thanks for taking all the time to help me along! I sure appreciate it!

Kyle

 

[CurleysRacecars]

Just out of curiosity, would anyone totally frown on the idea of building a roof mounted "basket" out of 1" square tubing like pictured before, and attaching it to the truck with 4 magnets? Ive found them available in anywhere from 2-300 lbs pulling strength. I figured somewhere around 25 lbs would be plenty, figuring you have 4 total. I dont think im worried about it pulling off, as much as Im worried about sliding backwards as you go down the road.
Just thought Id ask. I may start on this next week.
Thanks!

 

[ToyotaNick]

i personally would love to see a over the windshield light bar much like the carr one but instead of a straight square tubing that the lights mount to, i would like to see a piece of round tubing bent to match the curve of the windshield, to make it match the curvyness of our toyota's and also give a cool staggered look when seen from the side