95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Show me your Safari Rack on your 3rd gen 4Runner

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Old 10-31-2008 | 07:00 PM
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nah2323's Avatar
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Show me your Safari Rack on your 3rd gen 4Runner

Hi All,

As the title says, Im looking at safari racks for the roof of my 00 Sport and was looking into the Surco and the Thule rack, but I really would like to keep it lower on the roof rather than the two large crossbars. I was thinking of pulling the three lower ones off and putting bolts through them instead..

And.... I would like to put some nice lights up on the roof. I ordered the factory switches from the dealer. Looking for the cleanest install possible. How did you run your wiring?

Thanks in advance!

nah2323
Old 10-31-2008 | 07:06 PM
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Depending of course on your needs, this rack is one of the best I've found and the rack going on my expedition 4Runner. It's The African Outback rack from Slee Off-Road. http://www.sleeoffroad.com

The rack comes with the mounting rails that attach to the stock 4Runner rack locations. Take off the factory rack and install the rails, then the African Outback rack attaches to those rails. Very clean, easy to remove, low profile and can handle anything you need to throw up there. You can order it with top rail or without and there are many mounting acessories for lights, shovels, hi-lift jacks etc.

The African Outback roof rack is a state of the art all aluminum modular system that can be configured to suit your individual needs. The roof racks are constructed from aluminum extrusions that feature a "slide in" nut system that allows for easy fitment of bolt on accessories. The racks come with a top rail that is easily removed to allow for the fitment of rooftop tents. The low profile sealed rails combine to cut wind noise to a minimum.

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Old 10-31-2008 | 07:58 PM
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Mine is the coleman safari rack. There are some things I don't really like about it, but when i got it it was only $75 shipped from Costco.com. Couldn't beat that price so I ordered it.

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Old 10-31-2008 | 08:14 PM
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x2 on the coleman, not sure what you can get it for now though

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also, check out reverend on the boards her or uy. he has a new safari rack that he made custom low profile mounts for, so it sits right on the roof.
Old 10-31-2008 | 08:19 PM
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Rola roof rack under $200 not the best but well worth the $$

http://www.etrailer.com/p-59504.htm
Old 10-31-2008 | 08:34 PM
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coleman rack x3
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Old 11-01-2008 | 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by TC4RNR
coleman rack x3
That right there is almost the exact setup I want on my rig. I love to bike, mostly mountain, and I would like a 4 place flat top thule ski rack too. The lights are perfect on that rig. Do you have photos of it on your t4r?

I was thinking of going with a Yakima rack, as they have a bunch of different sizes, but the SLEE OR one that the first reply mentioned looks nice (but is wicked coin)

Ideally I'd like to be able to reach out through the sunroof and adjust the lights if need be, but also I'd like the rack to be pretty far back on the roof, about where the factory roof rails end just for symmetry.

Thanks all for the replies, and keep em coming!
Old 11-01-2008 | 06:49 AM
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Originally Posted by MillerPKA
also, check out reverend on the boards her or uy. he has a new safari rack that he made custom low profile mounts for, so it sits right on the roof.
Haha...you mean chaplain...
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Last edited by Whitey13; 11-01-2008 at 06:58 AM.
Old 11-01-2008 | 09:31 AM
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x4 on the coleman lol

Old 11-01-2008 | 09:34 AM
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I ran a Wilderness rack for a period of time. It sit closer to the roof than most:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/i...cluded-111728/
Old 11-01-2008 | 09:54 AM
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Here is mine, It's a yakima basket. I have had it on 4 vehicles over the years.From a subaru wagon to a couple of 4Runners. Evey time I sold the vehicle I kept the basket, I liked it that much. I have overloaded it may times and it never complained. I have even put 2 DH bikes on top(not recommended) but it worked.
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Old 11-01-2008 | 10:30 AM
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hi can someone post up pics of the bracket used to secure the rack to the roof bars.
ive oem roof bars and a rack ive made up just need pics of how to secure the rack.
Old 11-03-2008 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Whitey13
Haha...you mean chaplain...
Thanks for the credit, but I actually used the mounts that came with the rack from bajarack.com. I just mounted them directly to the roof instead of the oem rack. I wanted a low-profile rack that was light and ran the whole roof line so I could mount long-boards. You can get accessories for their racks to mount shovels, hilift, axe, and lights. I chose to welded on tabs for rear lights (2 backup, 1 amber, 1 blue), an antenna mount and plan on just making a removable light bar for driving lights.


Last edited by Chaplain; 11-03-2008 at 08:57 AM.
Old 11-03-2008 | 10:30 AM
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I have a Surco safari rack. Not going to lie, its pretty cheaply built. But, it gets the job done, and is very lightweight. I've actually carried a lot of weight on it, probably not safe: 35" tire, 2 gas cans, firewood, random stuff, surfboard racks ON TOP with 4 surfboards.

Here's a pic. I take it off until I go camping. Also, I picked up the hitch rack for extra room. I put water jugs, bbq, and other stuff back there. All this room is great for long trips into Baja.

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Old 11-03-2008 | 10:37 AM
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x2 on the Surco rack. I have one on my Explorer and it takes a beating
Old 11-03-2008 | 11:24 AM
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+1 on the Rola rack. $150 shipping included when I got mine. Coleman wasn't available when I was looking into racks, not sure about them now.
Old 11-03-2008 | 07:45 PM
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Garvin Wilderness rack. I'll eventually post more pics after I throw some lights on it.

Old 11-03-2008 | 07:55 PM
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I built mine for my 93 out of 16 gauge 1" square tubing. It holds a Hi-Lift and has 3 lights with the wiring ran inside the tube. It the runs down thru the roof by the back foot to the relays controls that are by the rear battery and air pumps. The jack is secured by 3, 1/2" bolts (outer 2 have cotter pins and center has a lock to prevent muggles). I utilized the factory tap plates in the runners to attatch it to the roof.





Old 11-03-2008 | 10:19 PM
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Here's a current pic of Rockslide's old rack









Sorry for the crappy pics. BTW, I added some quicky brackets for the rear jack mount, and the axe/shovel mount. Overall, a great rack, if not a bit noisy with all the extra junk there. Fairly low profile, but still grabs a few branches when playing in the trees.

Last edited by sandals; 11-03-2008 at 10:33 PM.
Old 11-03-2008 | 11:39 PM
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Built mine as well.....

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Last edited by Hophead; 11-03-2008 at 11:50 PM.



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