DIY roof rack and light setup for my 1st gen Tacoma

I couldn't find roof rack that didn't require drilling into the roof the truck so i made one and want to share the details so you can too. More photos of the truck and other projects, / overlandunderbudget
I use this rack to mount my 6 round lights, the perimeter amber lights and my extra storage case. basically just anything you want to toss up there.
Mounting feet are Yakima q towers. Be sure to search craigslist and ebay, you can find them cheap! yakima.com/products/q-towers-...
The cross bars I used are 37.5inch long, 1x2 inchs and drilled and tapped for 1/4 tread bolts. www.tnutz.com/product/ex-1020...
The electrical connectors www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
7inch round lights, price went up from $40 to $60! www.amazon.com/Driving-Lights...
Amber side lights price went down to $22 for 2! www.amazon.com/Nilight-15020F...
As always thanks for watching and subscribing to the channel!

[@ridefaster6802]

Looks great man! Everything on your rig looks clean and professional, well done!

[@nathanpearce6718]

I can’t believe that I’m just now finding your videos when I’ve been searching for what I can do for my 99 Tacoma. I’m very jealous of the flat bed/camper too

[@Alexp123453]

I wish there was an updated version for this I’m trying to do the same

[@sibco96]

Great video and ideas. Nice to see people making parts and using their head instead of their credit card.

[@Mikefestiva]

Really nice setup, great roof rack 👍 I like the amber side lights, definitely good for setting up camp! Thanks for posting 🙂

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Thanks mike I really appreciate it. Looking forward to seeing that 6x6 grow!

[@ducluv]

Yes in addition to not attracting bugs as well.

[@JtheInvincible]

Great creativity! I would’ve attempted a similar set up a couple years ago before I sold my Yakima cross bars!

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Man. You did some of the best work w the 1st gen. Gonna do this asap. Your flatbed and camper are up next.

[@yrigoyen0108]

Very nice , very clean. Great job!!

[@harvmac69]

Dude! very cool!! I Love your lighting set up!! Inspired!!!

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Thanks man! i really appreciate it. Lights are a really fun and useful upgrade, you can use them all the time!

[@slayer4130]

Your channel is awesome. Keep it coming.

[@RobertVinet]

Until I saw your video I thought I would have to drill holes in my roof. Thanks for this Micah.

[@isaacspoon]

great video like always. makes me want to go get a tacoma now

[@zachgomez9549]

How long are the thule bars u used?

[@offthex2519]

This is beautiful!!!

[@TRDNate]

Dude that is awesome I want to make something like that for my 3rd gen

[@swooshdave]

Nice job. Love the front camera.

[@emilyclaire858]

Looks good would love to see how you wired the lights together and cable management

[@jowchie]

looks really good!

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Thanks man, im really happy with it

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

This was really nice.

[@brdoffire]

Wow! Just ran in to your channel and I’m loving it!! One suggestion, could you buy a 2019 Tacoma and start all over!!!??? Lol

[@JayMS916]

The amber lighting is so much easier on the eyes than the white. I have a pair of Rigid Ignite floods on each side and they are a little intense for scene lights, but work great for night trail runs.

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Exactly, i really like them for camp and setup. I want to wire in the white light in as well for times when i do want brighter light.

[@southbayproducts5371]

Nice work enjoy your set up thanks for sharing I have a 2000 ext. cab love it will die with it

[@vicferrari2082]

Well done! Your vids are awesome. Lighting wire routing is always a challenge. Have you ever considered entering from the third brake light? I was thinking about drilling the cover out just because it can be easily replaced if I wanted to sell. Keep up the work!

[@Bimmerrx7]

Another awesome video! One source for those Thule bars would be from Audi roof rack bars on craigslist. I bought four sets for under $100. It seems no one ever installs them and they appear almost identical to the aero bars

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Thats a great tip! Ive also seen a amazon brand called "phat trip" looks the same too!

[@ChildLikeFaithMusic]

You are a rare bread! ❤🙌

[@hectormendoza3651]

Nice videos bro!!!

[@ericleschied474]

I've been looking for a cheaper option for the t slots. Thanks so much 🙏

[@bradblakeney610]

Do you have a vid about the camper top roof rack as to how you made it and the materials used. Thanks

[@nickday7368]

Do you think instead of the Thule blades, one could use just an aluminum bar in similar dimensions?

[@markbielawski]

Nice job on the rack. I love seeing clever DIY solutions for things like this. A couple of questions, though. Brands like Frontrunner and Prinsu have machined slots in the crossbars so they can pop in special tie-downs or bolts into the channels. Have you made any provisions for that? Otherwise, it looks like you'd have to partially unbolt the rack to get anything into those channels. My other question concerns load... How much weight do you think your setup can hold? Products like Prinsu bolt in to the roof structure and can support some substantial weight. Of course, Prinsu-type products are not easily removable like your rack. Cheers!

[@arbeckmardoromal5857]

Awesome video. Can you pls send a link on the snorkel with the round air pre cleaner. Thanks

[@SeanFilms19]

Hey Micah, and comment section. What would be a good alternative to the Thule Aero bars? Aluminum bar stock? How would it mount to the Q-Tower?

[@masoncrutchfield304]

Great setup! Did you have to trim the bottom of the Tule Aero bars?

[@larryparker1678]

Nice job

[@benluna-vasquez3718]

Hey man, I live in the area. What is the address to that cool spot overlooking the ocean and Morro Rock? Thanks!

[@MetallGaarden]

Is there much flex in the alu crossbars if you for example stand on them?

[@farmerjim-fat-man-do]

Looking good and doing it cheap. 👍👍. My kind of project. Looks like your between Morro and Cayucos. Is it private land or OHV trails? Looking for a local place to get into some dirt.

[@daily_4x4]

Could you do a video explaining how to wire the lights up to a switch panel

[@SSolo808]

Sweet rack. What’s the length of the aero bars?

[@timothykirkland6920]

How are the front facing 7” lights holding up?

[@milesmorris5722]

So sick!! Where did you find those wheels?

[@ZER0o10]

Havent even watch the video, but i know is going to be good. I cant wait to do all of tbis to my 02 tacoma haha thx for the vid

[@ZER0o10]

Question did you made tge skidplate, or which one is it. Thx

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

haha love it. Thanks man!

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Yep the skid plate is home made! Ive got some details on it and photos on my instagram instagram.com/overlandunderbudget/

[@franklinargueta2312]

do you think Q20s will fit on my reg cab?

[@kristiancastillothegreenje1395]

What kind of lights are those amber ones?

[@steve110klx]

What lights are you running on the rack

[@israelgalindo6600]

I have a 1999 Taco, which is a 1st Gen, I know yours is a later model1st Gen so I asked Yakima if Q117 worked on an 1999 taco. Sadly they said “no”. I don’t know why it wouldn’t.

[@chriswebb8978]

Tell us about your pre cleaner

[@ImTheDudeMan471]

There are companies that make nice looking lumber racks that fit under a truck shell topper.

[@aaronredmon7947]

Would the Yakima bars still attach like this on an Xtracab? I love this roof rack and like that it is a no drill!

[@lizardraven]

For a first gen Xtracab you can use four Yakima Q towers with the "Q Stretch Kit" which allows the rear towers and bar to sit farther back on the roof past the door. They don't mount to the pop out window, but two Q clips will mount to each door.

[@hallwayornowayadventures]

What thickness do you think the Thule rack sides are? I am trying to figure out what I would need to make the side panels out of.

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Just measured them, at the widest its 1inch.

[@hallwayornowayadventures]

@@OverlandUnderBudget thanks man. Do you think that would be as strong as like 1/4 aluminum thickness or something thicker.

[@Delatorrekevin]

Hey man. Awesome videos. Motivated me to get a first gen and build it out. Wanted to know if you know anything about mounting a rack on an extended cab. Dont have enough doors for the mounts haha. Might have to do the feet on the front foor and maybe connect it to the rack on the bed

[@AeaqR]

I'm in the same boat. First thought is the q towers on the front legs, and then maybe a fixed mount in the back? I'd also like to avoid drilling into the roof.

[@lizardraven]

For a first gen Xtracab you can use four Yakima Q towers with the "Q Stretch Kit" which allows the rear towers and bar to sit farther back on the roof past the door.

[@almmalivree1918]

Does anyone have a picture or video of this , I wanna do this on my truck

[@jacobboone6078]

Hows the wind noise with this setup? Looks awesome!

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

I did some basic tests and really under 80mph it doesn’t make a difference

[@jyoung2393]

Thank you for the upload. I wonder if the q towers would work with an extended cab with pop out side windows?

[@dnmddy2273]

Ive seen this done but IDK what clips work with the pop-out windows-- did you figure it out?

[@lizardraven]

For a first gen Xtracab you can use four Yakima Q towers with the "Q Stretch Kit" which allows the rear towers and bar to sit farther back on the roof past the door. They don't mount to the pop out window, but two Q clips will mount to each door.

[@almmalivree1918]

Do you have pictures of this

[@Alex_Bernabe]

Do you think those rack mounts would work on the ex cab?

[@lizardraven]

For a first gen Xtracab you can use four Yakima Q towers with the "Q Stretch Kit" which allows the rear towers and bar to sit farther back on the roof past the door. They don't mount to the pop out window, but two Q clips will mount to each door.

[@SamNang-md1il]

Where can I buy

[@talanflynt1976]

Is your truck 4WD

[@poiboi808]

How long did you wait for your retrofits to be done? And man, those Q117 clips are hard to find! LOL!

[@Barber570]

You aren't kidding about the clips I ended up spending $120 for four of them and they shipped one of the boxes without the pads for the towers... Yakima Q tower about to be a collectors item.

[@bennyjett357]

What number Q clips do you have for Q towers

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Clips are “117” screen shot in the video too for reference

[@jeremiahlopez3854]

any tips for xtra cab set ups?

[@lizardraven]

For a first gen Xtracab you can use four Yakima Q towers with the "Q Stretch Kit" which allows the rear towers and bar to sit farther back on the roof past the door. They don't mount to the pop out window, but two Q16 clips will mount to each door.

[@TheLotroNerd]

Do you still have that rack? in the slo area interested for my tundra.

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Shoot I still have it but using some of it as parts right now

[@TheLotroNerd]

@@OverlandUnderBudget Do you still have those aero fin larger parts?

[@jesussanchez-rw9gc]

love the build, unfortunately 117 clips are discontinued and almost impossible to find

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Interesting, they were easy to find last year. Keep a eye on eBay 👍🏻

[@SOLDADITO76]

Don’t the hold downs on your roof rack let more water in between the door and the cab? If you want to keep the rack for the life of the truck, why not install the rack in permanently.

[@OverlandUnderBudget]

Nope! i haven't had any issues with water, and i dont think yakima could sell the racks if they let water in. Not having it drilled and permanently attached lets me stay flexible with the truck. I like being able to remove everything if i want and sometimes i do! I also like the way the weight is distributed with the yakima feet. Anyways those are just my reasons, drilling and permanent mounting could be the right option for someone else!

[@TheActionistheJuice]

Going to guess this won’t work on a access cab Tacoma model.

[@SeanFilms19]

The Yakima Q-Towers work well on my first gen access cab Tundra. I bet they work on an access cab Tacoma. You just have to make sure to get the correct Q-Clips.

[@pnwxplored]

@@SeanFilms19I had to flatten out the Q clips bend to fit my first gen xtra cab 95 but they are super strong!

[@SeanFilms19]

@@pnwxplored I just checked out your channel! You have some awesome videos! I am in central Washington and I am exploring the mountains in a first gen Tundra. I’ll be sure to wave if I see you out on the trails!

[@pnwxplored]

@@SeanFilms19 thanks mate! Have 3 up my sleve to edit!

[@r.danielortizinda4221]

Can have your email please