How to Build a Budget Roof Rack - 3rd Gen 4Runner Part 5

Today we tackle designing and making a budget roof rack that looks good and functions well. This particular rack was about $120 total - crossbar tubing - $40, sides bar steel - $40, plate for all others - $20, hardware and mill bit - $20. Some of the steel was purchased a while ago while the market was lower, but at current times leads to around $140 total for me locally for everything used in the video including paint and consumables like sanding disks. This price does take into account that all tools are already owned. All though, getting into tools like a welder can only around $350 and provide much more than just having a welder.
IF YOU DO BUILD SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS, DO NOT LET THE FRONT FAIRING REST DIRECTLY ONTO THE ROOF, MINE HAS RUBBED THROUGH SOME PAINT.
I am very happy with how this rack turned out on my Toyota 4runner and I look forward to what you think about it.
Thanks for watching and I look forward to next time!
Check out our Facebook Page and Instagram @Mattuccibuilt - I haven't posted much at the publishing of this video.
MattucciBuilt
mattuccibuilt
All repairs, upgrades, and actions are done at your own risk. This channel makes entertaining and informational content and is not liable.

[@DBD801]

Quick tip for folks watching, if you want the slots he made with the mill. Drill two holes at either end of the mark and then connect the top and bottom of the hole with a metal saw blade

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Yes, I don't recall explaining this, thank you!

[@vb1gbg]

Definitely add your engineering knowledge whenever possible. I think it would add more uniqueness to your videos and be a considerable help to viewers. Thanks for the videos.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

I will continue to do so then! Thank you!

[@F1Lionshare]

Keep pushing! You owe nobody ANYTHING. I enjoyed your project as it inspired me to undertake a similar project for my truck!

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thank you! I appreciate the motivation and I will keep going forward in my own way!

[@jameszukowski6708]

Great stuff man! Very inspiring

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thank you very much!

[@joyridaz]

I’m really impressed with the rack, the design, the engineering and the clear explanations! Pls keep them coming!

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thanks! It definitely has its problems, but I really enjoyed designing and making it!

[@driftless1870]

Very nice work. Thank you for sharing.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thank you!

[@PatrickRemington]

Looks like you may have gotten some inspiration from my build!😂 Looks awesome!!

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thanks! It's kind of crazy, I watch all of your videos but, and I'm being completely honest, I missed your video on your roof rack somehow and ended up watching it around when I painted this one. Then I was like dang, could have done so many aspects better. The design for all of these roof racks are pretty similar. Im looking to make a DIY RTT/Rack and if I use any of your ideas I will surely credit you! Thanks for watching and I highly enjoy your videos

[@PatrickRemington]

@@mattuccibuilt3970 Haha Great minds think alike I guess! Keep up the good work! I’m unfortunately going to have to sell my 3rd gen.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

@@PatrickRemington That is unfortunate! Are you going to continue making content?

[@joelavenido501]

Great job Matt...you are very talented in building better and cost effective solutions to projects. Hoping to see more videos from you in the near future.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

I appreciate it a lot!

[@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD]

Excellent fabrication Matt! Keep it up. Peace ✌️ from SoCal

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thanks! I'm a fan of SoCal for sure!

[@bocomo6985]

Great looking build! You're a talented individual and it shows in your new roof rack, well done.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thanks!

[@1malikalik]

Hey men, keep doing what you doing. I love your content and your energy, humility and personality is very calming and rare. Love that Roof Rack.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thanks! I often think that I'm monotone and boring so I'm trying to get more enthusiastic, but I really appreciate it!

[@azrooster602]

love it, you give me the tips for my 2nd gen 4runner thank you !

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Awesome!! That's what I'm here for!

[@DavidFernandez-gh2mu]

Nice build dude. It looks really good. as far as videos, keep at it man. practice makes better but it's really not that bad. best of luck.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

I really appreciate it!!

[@davidwhite7399]

subbed and notifications on. I have a 00 3rd gen and am slowly saving my pennies to get it"budget geared up". Loved the lift and wheel paint vids. Fabrication is out of my wheel house but still fun to watch. Thanks for the content!

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

I'm glad my info is helping! Thanks for your support!

[@mikymike0586]

You did a very good job man! this video inspired me to build a roof rack for my t4r.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thanks for watching! I hope your rack comes out how you want it to!

[@atinygrilledcheese4296]

sick build man

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thanks!

[@realrecognize786]

Great work bro, I wish I could do this but I’m not so experienced and don’t have any tools

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

I'm thinking about making a 2.0 that requires much less tools and hopefully only uses basic skills.

[@sandovaljulio]

Like your videos ,On your list to do what is the "diode "

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

When I got the car one of the first things I did was a new head unit and with that I put in a rear view camera that hooks into the reverse light as a signal. I also wired a switch to "signal" the camera to turn on at any time but it sends power back through the reverse wire so I need a diode to block that.

[@iandobbs7823]

What is the length on your side pieces overall? Looks great by the way!

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Top part of the side rails are about 83", and the bottom obviously has a curve and is about 89".

[@3gt4r33]

I really enjoy your videos. I’ll be lifting mine soon once my springs come it. I have made some videos of mine on my channel and ur videos are an inspiration to me.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

I'm extremely happy to hear that! Good luck on putting that suspension in!

[@3gt4r33]

@@mattuccibuilt3970 thank you! I got bilstein 5100s and ome 881 in front and 890 in rear. Have you don’t the diff drop yet? I have not ordered the diff drop and I’m not sure if I need it or not. What are your thoughts?

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

@@3gt4r33 I also have the 881's and 5100's in the front and it only gave around 1.5 inches increase. At around 2.5 to 3 inches of lift I would consider a diff drop, but currently I'm not planning on doing it because most of the kits only drop the front of the diff changing how the fluid sits inside and not even dropping the axles the entire distance the kit is so the angle on the cv's are not really effected unless its a more advanced kit. I am also running the stock skids and do want to have any rubbing on them. So, all in all I am not a huge guru or anything but I do not recommend doing a diff drop unless the problems I said are not a worry (aftermarket skids, kit drops all the diff mounting locations, large amount of lift, etc. are a green light to do one.)

[@3gt4r33]

@@mattuccibuilt3970 okay sweet. I was just curious if it was a crucial thing to do. I might install one if it gets to that point where I’m noticing wear or going through axles. I don’t off road a ton but would love to get more into it. I was just wanting to make sure that I’m not gonna screw myself if I ride around with no diff drop for a bit.

[@3gt4r33]

Also did you need to add any extended brake lines or anything?

[@erniekropf665]

This video is part 5, and I see there is a part 6 & 7. Just wondering where part 1 2 3 & 4 is? I can't find them anywhere on your channel. 🤔

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

I started the part thing late, but if you check out the "3rd gen 4runner build" playlist, they should be updated now. Thanks for the feedback!

[@camronramsey4861]

You think it would be able to hold a rooftop tent plus 2 adults inside?

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

I just did that two weekends ago and no problems!

[@bautistaul7098]

How wide are the bars?

[@joyridaz]

Would love to get a sense of the overall weight…. Was surprised in another diy video to see that doing steel was pretty comparable to a similarity designed aluminum big-box rack

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Yeah to get aluminum to perform like steel it has to be thicker, but if not done in the proper way it can end up being similar in weight. I'm curious on the weight too and if I pull it off, I'll weigh it!

[@iraseierstad6684]

@@mattuccibuilt3970 Hi. Did you weigh it?

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

@@iraseierstad6684 Of course, I pulled it off and forgot to weigh it before putting it back on. With some calculations using steels density, it is somewhere around 50 lbs.

[@americanbullyroxy9218]

Where did u get your headlights assembly

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Check out my channel! It's the first video that I made.

[@ernestoalicea4594]

Bad azz

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Agreed! I'm a fan

[@miketoti144]

What was the total length of your side rails?

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Top part of the side rails are about 83" and bottom part is curved, at about 89"

[@Henry-vj1yq]

Where do you go get the materials?

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Here in northern Utah, I typically use metalmart or Wasatch steel. I've heard metal supermarkets are a good place and they're everywhere around the United States. If you just search for 'metal yards near me' and look at a couple of the reviews, the people that work there are typically really helpful, but some do only like company orders so be mindful of that.

[@Henry-vj1yq]

Thank you.

[@Asian_Connection]

Are you selling any?

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Not currently, but I'm glad to know there is interest!

[@billblow5739]

@@mattuccibuilt3970 I second this man

[@spirals8470]

I’ll give you 120$ for a rack :)

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Haha labor is going up with inflation of products so it'd be much more 😂

[@EnriqueReyesJrREALTOR]

Make shorter videos, do them in steps. That may make it easier for you to make your videos.

[@mattuccibuilt3970]

Thanks for the advice!