Installing a Harbor Freight rifle case on my 4Runner's Prinsu roof rack

[@suebroadbent8608]

"I can't just leave well enough alone"! Hey, that's why we all watch your videos. Fabulous ideas, wonderful skills and neverending enthusiasm.

[@debchambers5101]

Love the garage opener clip idea. You're so resourceful. Instead of cable limiters, you can make it with electrical wire and crimp on ring wire terminals. I like to think of you as Outathebox Martha.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Good to know! I figured there had to be a way. Since they only came in a 10 pack, I'm now stuck with 8 more of those things, and looking for stuff that needs securing. 😆

[@DuanDao]

Agreed that’s pet genius level

[@ramonapuckett3059]

I would never have thought of a rifle case but it works! Thank you for showing us how to do this 🩷

[@michelelapham1215]

Love this! You've opened up my mind to some really cool ideas based on this. Thank you so much for sharing this! Wow! Awesome!

[@old_sentinel]

Amazing that I bought the same case two weeks ago for my recovery gear. Thanks for the ideas! The only thing different I have to do is add spacers between the rack and the case. I definitely like the idea of the LED strips.

[@MrLarrysanders]

Nothing like having fun and being practical at the same time. Good for you.

[@OverlandUnderground]

Good work. Most people don’t put the bar on the inside. Well done.

[@tjfm59]

suggestion, silicone on the outside bolt / rivet heads to waterproof them. then change your inside nuts to self locking nuts. that way they shouldn't rattle loose. like the neoprene washers. neighbor throw out what i think is a bed rack or plant rack. picked it up an it fits in between the load rack bars on my truck. so now i have something with side bars.

[@stphns1737]

I did the same thing on my camping rig a few years ago, so I could still pull it into the garage, and have loved it. Amazed at how much it holds for such a shallow box. Love your idea on the lights! Can't wait to do that :)

[@IShallNotBeSilent]

This video just answered all my questions. Not only about the storage, but the roof rack also. Just spoke to my mechanic yesterday about installing a roof rack. Slowly, little by little I am getting everything ready. Thank you for this video and the prinsu installation. Have a wonderful day.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Glad it helped and you have a good one too!

[@bradblakeney610]

I have an 89 montero that I want to build a Land Rover type of basket rack for. This gave me some good ideas for storage. I want to add a rear ladder on the very back door so that I can climb up and have easy access to storage bags and boxes. Great video

[@ShoestringMartha]

Those are cool -- love a boxy wagon!

[@jillongley7543]

Your creative problem solving skills are awesome!

[@JackieWM420]

Hi! I salvaged a 10' L x 10" diam pvc pipe, powder coated it black, fill with water. It can portable depending on home or travel. It works great especially in sun baked desert! Hot water for whatever you want.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Nice! I have something like that bookmarked in my projects list. I have also seen folks pressurize it, either with a manual or an electric pump. Might as well use all this dang heat for something useful. 😅

[@JackieWM420]

@@ShoestringMartha Ha! right? i go cheap and recycle, so i shimmed one end for gravity feed. You're a gem!

[@christieflesch3750]

Your videos are so relaxing and I like it. It turns off my Anxiety

[@ShoestringMartha]

Sweet! That's the vibe I'm going for.

[@WideOpenAir]

I have a pair of apache cases i am getting reedy to modify for on top of my Jeep. Great ideas here for the limiters and lights.

[@cynthia-ray]

There is room on top of my minivan for a regular cargo box but I like this idea better for lower profile. I need storage for items if I get stuck and that would be perfect. One on either side and I can really pack comfortably

[@theicangram]

This is a fantastic idea!! Going to use this in the near future. Thank you!

[@WayNorthDrones]

Looks good, keep it up and enjoy the journey to new places!

[@lindahopson5003]

Love this idea. I have a roof rack and have wanted a cargo box on it but would not be able to get the van into the garage with the ones available. THIS idea will solve that problem. Thanks!!!

[@AZOverland2017]

Nice job Martha. I have 2 mounted on my 4Runner (did a video on it as well). I like your thought process. Good job on the cable limiters. Now you need a ladder😁

[@ShoestringMartha]

lol I am pretty sure I watched it -- along with the ones about installing LED lights, aux switches (my next 4Runner video release), and I'm sure some other ones as well. 😂 If I keep adding stuff to the roof, I'll definitely need a ladder. For now I'm getting a heckuva glute workout, climbing on the rails.

[@enriquepadilla8826]

I did a similar setup on my previous rig (Tacoma). I ran two Pelican 1750 on my Prinsu rack and two Pelican 1650 on top of the Decked system. I used large neoprene washers in the inside and outside of the 1750. I found the neoprene washers at ACE. Also, I used nyloc nuts in the inside to secure the 1750. The nyloc stayed secure even after a 10,000 mile road trip. While on my road trip, I went through a monsoon in Tucson and everything stayed dry.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Nice! Now that I've come to grips with the facts that I will not be regularly removing the box, some sort of lock washers / locknuts / loc-tite would probably be a good idea.

[@MJCarter-MnknLady]

You did it!!! I like the slim Yakima cargo boxes, though not the price tag. A rifle/gun case would be very similar!!! We love your mods! My mom, whose name is actually Martha, is known to say, “I bet I can make it cheaper and better at home”. The garage opener clip….genius!!! As for wanting black rivets, that’s a few strokes of a sharpie marker waiting to happen.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Martha is my kinda lady! Can't tell you how many times I utter that same sentiment. 😂

[@traceycollins5268]

Brilliant idea and instillation! 👏

[@Bluto4r]

Those rifle boxes are great storage for tow straps and recovery gear. Two are on my 4r, along with an awning from NAPA. Cheap and essential! They were a pain to install on the factory rack, but its doable.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Nice! The contents on mine varies according to destination. Right now, it's about 50% offroad gear: tow strap and air compressor and 50% camping gear: tarp, poles, hatchet, extension cord -- with room to spare.

[@bannerpage]

Great ideas! I have a project this weekend

[@RoadtripNeeded]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@robinparra2549]

Black permanent marker over the silver ribbits works real well.

[@onlyinparadise4613]

Nice mods! Sticky adhesive never wins against the sun ☀️

[@ShoestringMartha]

FACTS 🫠

[@321southtube]

New subscriber. Awesome ideas. I'm stealing most of them. Thanks again

[@ShoestringMartha]

Welcome aboard! Steal away -- that's what there there for 😆

[@stevesntrains]

Nice job. 👍

[@TheWittyTravelers]

Nicely done! 🎉👍🏻 your rig is coming along nicely

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thank ya!

[@A-K_Rambler]

Coffee for Martha!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks - I sure could use it!! 🥱

[@DoctorRobert2009]

Cool! I wanna do this too

[@phaedrahise]

I’m curious if you considered red lights for the interior of the case to avoid night blindness?

[@ShoestringMartha]

It didn't really bother me, but if it did, I suppose I could slap some of that tail light lens repair tape on it.

[@CindyCaVANas]

Brilliant 👏 👏 👏

[@WeekendWandering]

Great idea!

[@jimibuckets23]

I’m going to do this same thing

[@ShoestringMartha]

Awesome -- hope you were able to grab one when they were on sale for $99!

[@ChasingTheAdventureOutdoors]

Hi! Awesome mods! Do you have a link to that toilet? I have one but it’s bulky and awkward shaped. I love how that one fits almost perfectly! Great job!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks! I got it from Temu: share.temu.com/sciSDk1QMbA but if that's not your jam, they sell the same one on Amazon for a little more: amzn.to/3Y6RLXl

[@ChasingTheAdventureOutdoors]

@@ShoestringMarthathank you I just ordered one!

[@keithbrookshire]

What a stellar job! Should the garage door opener clips fail to keep the lights in place go with 3M VHB tape. It WILL do the job but the lights wouldn't be easily removable.

[@ShoestringMartha]

That is what I used to attach the velcro, and even that just couldn't uhh... hang. 😂 It's probably 120+ degree inside that box. Adhesives just melt.

[@corysmith9975]

Amazing!

[@JakeSpurlock]

You need a widdle wadder for your 4Runner

[@ShoestringMartha]

😂 I do!

[@thomascronquist1604]

I would protect the case from UV rays by using 303.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Good call - I think we even have some.

[@tracker5849]

Wont the wing nuts sticking up interfere with the "load" sticking into things in the box? Solar panels..stove cases etc whatever you pack

[@ShoestringMartha]

You just have to organize your gear around them. I will probably pick up some rubber end caps, next time I'm at Ace.

[@fcastle4]

Very nice! I was hoping you were going to put a 🔫 in there and have a range day. If you’re still worried about the rivets, maybe a dab of silicone?

[@ShoestringMartha]

lol I mean, I kept the foam, so that's still an option 😂 I do happen to have some RTV leftover from the rack install, so I have been thinking about doing that. It's so dry here though, it hasn't really been a pressing issue.

[@EnriqueReyesJrREALTOR]

Did your fuel mileage consumption change with the riffle storage change, & did you get any wind noise, or sail boat action on the freeway?

[@ShoestringMartha]

No sailboat action or noise so far 🤞🏻Kind of kicking myself for not tracking my mileage before the install, for comparison purposes 😖 I’ve only filled up twice since install, but haven’t noticed any significant impact. 🤔

[@velocity800]

nice!! but will definitely slow you down!!

[@jaccourt9531]

Paint them black. The rived

[@TentandLantern]

The low profile option is great. I had the Thule and went into a parking garage that ate it up. Love this option. I wonder if camp chairs would fit in it. Come on up to Chicagoland! We'd be happy to provide curbside hosting. :D The Plano factory store at their HQ in Plano, IL is definitely worth the trip. All those cases are c-h-e-a-p. I bet you could put one of those long & narrow solar panels on top of it. Hmm.

[@ShoestringMartha]

LOL thank ya, but I think I'm swinging quite below Chi-town. I bet a couple camp chairs would totally fit! And yes, a solar panel is on my possible addition list - maybe even wire it into the box to charge a small spare battery or compact powerbank. 🤔

[@TentandLantern]

@@ShoestringMartha I did that with my old Odyssey and it was a handier addition than I initially thought. Can’t wait to see your travel videos!