DESIGN and BUILD your own $1700 ROOF RACK for your Toyota 4Runner for $500.

As my family grew, we needed more space in our Toyota 4Runner. Originally I was going to buy a Gobi Roof Rack but as soon as I found out about the estimated 5-8 months lead time I had to find an alternative. This led me to design and build my own custom roof rack to fit my needs.
Place to buy raw materials online (make sure to search for discount codes to save more $$$)
onlinemetals.com
Links of products/tools used in the video:
Tube Notcher: amzn.to/3xZruen
Lenox 1" Hole Saw: amzn.to/3fQy2F7
Lenox Hole Saw Kit: amzn.to/3plrrpk
SEM Hot Rod Black Paint: amzn.to/3vS2PXi
Self Etch Primer: amzn.to/3vMiMye
Seal for Wind Fairing: amzn.to/3uA4UXE
The Process:
00:00 | Why I DIY my own roofrack
00:30 | Cargo storage alternatives
01:08 | Roofrack has three main essential components
01:36 | 2003-2009 Toyota 4runner factory roofrack measurements
02:17 | Design and modeling roof rack in SolidWorks
03:13 | Roofrack SolidWorks Cutlist or Bill of Materials (BOM)
03:22 | Where to buy steel material locally in Washington State
03:31 | Getting tubes bent on JD Squared tube bender
03:43 | Designing and building jig/fixture to keep roofrack in place during welding
04:00 | Fabrication, cutting, welding, and notching
04:36 | Roofrack mount mockup
05:27 | Cutting the expanded metal for roofrack base
05:48 | Building the wind fairing
06:17 | Getting the rack ready for primer and paint.
07:19 | The SEM hot rod black finish after painting
07:00 | Final roof rack installation onto 4runner
08:00 | The final result / finish!
08:20 | Roofrack storage and getting ready to go camping
08:32 | Conclusion and what I would like and what I would change.
You can find me on many platforms:
Instagram: / ratha.sochenda
Kit: kit.co/ratha.sochenda
LinkedIn: / rathasochenda
Behance: www.behance.net/rathasochenda
*Just a small note for the product links provided: I’ll get a very small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me immensely to continue to make videos like this.
Music by Chinsaku - Blossom - thmatc.co/?l=68319E6
DISCLAIMER:
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
By using some of the affiliate links above, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This is the easiest way to support me and helps me continue making content like this for you. Thank you 🙏
Due to factors out of my control, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. I assume no liability or responsibility for property damages or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. I recommend safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen in this video. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not me. Be safe!
#DIY #roofrack #SolidWorks #Gobi #4runner #CAD #engineer #RathaSochenda #overland

[@edselreynoso3438]

You applied your skills well. Not only did you engineer a great rack, you manufactured it to high standards. I especially like the way you shot and presented the information. Camera on a tripod is always better than a hand held shaky vid. The time lapse was interesting and your step by step had lots of good info. Great job. Very inspiring.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks really appreciate it. I tried my best to focus on the key points and highlights. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@toliy8054]

I’m legit impressed, love the engineering aspects. You’re a real inspiration.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks!

[@budnixon]

its a great way to show "how much" in material it might cost in real world. Being a DIY-er myself, we tend to forget the value of time until it catches up to us, as well as general costs of owning the tools. While DIY projects are great, they are not for everyone's consideration, but rather a great way to get an idea of what to ask from a local custom shop. Hope everyone gets my point of why "custom" work costs so much more than a production line product! Video quality (sound/video/way you show what & how) is great! Thumbs up definitely, keep it up!

[@RathaSochenda]

Well said. There are so many factors that go into “custom” stuff. And I hope people understand why stuff like this can add up in cost. If you like building your own stuff and enjoy learning the process then I think being a DIYer has its benefits over off the shelf bought stuff…

[@DaytonaShooter]

Great job. Good to see someone creating what they need instead of waiting for someone else to do it for them. 👍

[@1cjoseph11]

The epitome of measure twice and cut once. Great job.

[@roxifbabyyy]

Love this video! Everything looks so good :)

[@samprokop]

hands down the cleanest DIY roof rack and a great video. I am totally in love with the basket idea and the finished product is soooooooooo good.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks

[@nj5550]

that is sweet! now go public and sell your roof rack! good luck!!!

[@kram03yout]

If any interests on making another please let me know. I would totally build one but I just don’t have the tools. Thanks man

[@bigskyscott4092]

Outstanding! I am totally impressed with your skills!

[@nomex8461]

Great job! I instantly got good memories seeing that long mat up top. My bro and I used to prop the mat up on our couch and slide GI Joes.

[@RathaSochenda]

NomeX man I used to do that too and slide down dry grassy steep hills with my brothers and sisters. Good times man!

[@Appokalis]

This a great opportunity for you to establish a good side business building custom roof racks . I’m impressed. Cool t-shirt as well, been looking for one like that. Awesome...just awesome!!!

[@RathaSochenda]

One day

[@gagandeepdhillon9963]

First view...first comment! Great content! This is inspiration for me to build a rack that serves my needs better. Look forward to your other videos bro! Keep it up!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks brotha. Can’t wait to see you build yours!

[@davebugatto9042]

You are awesome! Way to go making yourself. Something to be proud of. Happy camping!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thank you. Really appreciate the kind words. And thanks for watching

[@BentleyCoaching]

Hey Man, that is Really impressive. That’s exactly what I had in my mind to build for my white 07 Sport 4Runner. Thanks for making the process super easy for me.

[@RathaSochenda]

Bentley Coaching no problem . I’m glad it helped👍

[@BleauFaust]

Dude! You know you’re stuff!! Nice work!

[@islandcowboy4252]

You made your own GOBI rack! Great job and keep up the good work

[@RathaSochenda]

Joseph Mangarfir haha I tried. Thanks 😊

[@umarwarrior]

Awwsome work man. Have not seen a better video then this. Well done

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks 🙏🏽 I’m glad you like it!

[@jordanniagara3131]

Amazing job! Something to definitely be proud of.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks

[@MadCarTK]

I was thinking of building a roof rack for my Toyota Matrix just as a random project. This is a great video that will help me get started and use as a sorta planning guide. Thanks for making this!

[@RathaSochenda]

You welcome. Glad it was helpful.

[@rigbino]

Amazing work man! made it look easy

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks

[@strawberryjoe6545]

Bro, you are like a 4Runner handcraft god to me! Thank you so much for sharing

[@RathaSochenda]

😊

[@felipemunoz1085]

that is sick! good job there. i've been looking for somethig like this. keep doing awesome builds! grettings :)

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks you!

[@andrewcheshire244]

Nice workmanship man! Inspiring.

Amazing work!

[@RathaSochenda]

🙏🏽

[@eg318]

Very nice to see a young guy to have a great craft with a solid head on his shoulder. Nice Job.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks Edward! I’ll do my best to keep my head solid👍 or stay on the right path

[@stanfausnacht5237]

Great build! Nice video as well.

[@alexirvine3214]

Great, concise, well presented video of a very tastefully done roof rack. Kudos!

[@RathaSochenda]

🙏🏽

[@firebir11]

I had a coworker once, from Cambodia, was one of the nicest, most decent friends I ever had....very nice job 👍

[@RathaSochenda]

That’s awesome. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@dwright361]

Looks great. Goooood job!!!!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks!

[@joeashbubemma]

Very nice! Saved a bunch of $$$.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks

[@robinsonanimation]

so awesome! you are so detail oriented and planning for future modes excellent work!

[@RathaSochenda]

Appreciate it

[@dougguevara4104]

Wow this is incredible. Planning to copy some of this for mine but using aluminum instead. Thanks

[@CatCityDesign]

Really well done, Ratha. It looks great.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thank you !

[@xz3r0r]

This is awesome. I'm most impressed about the solid works being a current ME student. I thought about doing the weldment feature as well. That model is on point.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thats awesome to hear from a fellow ME student. Its cool what you can do with the weldment feature.

[@Dutch1951x]

Great video! Will be a great help when I make one for my rig! Thanks!

[@RathaSochenda]

I’m glad it help! Thanks for watching

[@Bosbulls]

Real nice build. Well planned and executed. 2:55 I really like the gussets with the hole to do double duty as anchor points for tie down straps.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks. Yeah the anchor holes have really come in handy for addition anchoring points

[@erickalvarez900]

Loving your videos... been binging on them today haha. I like how you incorporate engineering, fabrication, the outdoors, and gittin'r done! Can't wait to see what you got coming down the pipe next

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks for watching! Im glad you like all aspects. What’s your favorite so far?

[@erickalvarez900]

@@RathaSochenda well I like how you format your video (not to mention camera work) starting with design, process, execution, then wrap it up with application. I tig weld aluminum raft frames for work and so I really like being able to hop in a raft at the end of it all and actually use what I make- I think you capture that feelin pretty well in your vids. I need to make a pair of rock sliders for my ranger after watching your video haha

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks. Yes that’s one the best feeling is being able to use what you built. I love that feeling. And thanks again for watching. Stay tune for the next video.

[@jonvisit7657]

fantastic build

[@dannyswayze2133]

That looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@RathaSochenda]

Your welcome 🙏🏽

[@1993Revhead]

This is the best one I've seen 🤟

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks brotha 🤙🏼

[@wilsontran5788]

Very nice build

[@aviatordave1]

Well done on the roof rack! Your craftsmanship is very good!

[@RathaSochenda]

🙏🏽

[@MrIsrael211]

I NEED one for my X. Awesome job bud. High quality work!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks man

[@joshuacraft493]

Bro you are a straight G at designing and fabricating! I been fitting pipe and dabbling in welding the past 12 years and you inspire my already drive to always learn new things every day bro! But you help take my mind and ideas to the next level! They say put yourself around smarter people than yourself, and it will drive you to get to their level and attempt to surpass them!(and if you put yourself around the wrong people you will do the wrong things eventually and so on…) This also falls in with my competitive nature to try to outdo those around me in a fun and competitive way! I look at your videos I recently found and told myself…”learn more than you know already from dude, and competitively try and make your own twist of better!” I appreciate the extra drive you have given me in buildings whatever I feel like building bud! Keep up your amazing designing and fabricating brotha!!! Mad props! Salute!!!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thank you for the kind words. It’s always good try to out do the person you were yesterday.

[@cd-dw2ml]

You did a fantastic job. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@RathaSochenda]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching 👍

[@danielmoreno-so2ls]

nice work🤙🤙

[@tacotots_132]

Great video!!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks

[@ferrytrembucker7186]

Great job bro !

[@RathaSochenda]

Appreciate it!

[@jsfge]

This is awesome! Cant wait to see how you do the rear tire mount!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks. Me too just takes a lot longer when I got to film and edit. But hopefully soon🤙🏾

[@85362428]

Great video love the rack..looks sturdy and very well built.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks so much !

[@rohinja4156]

Great video love the Roof Rack, well built.❤️

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks 🙏🏽

[@SirWilliamGoes]

Great work man

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks glad you liked it.

[@christopherchavira2948]

Dude you are so talented! Awesome build & great video 👍🏼

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks a bunch!

[@dannyglover1033]

Very well put together video and all

[@dannyglover1033]

I plan on doing the same thing to my 99 Chevy Tahoe

[@RathaSochenda]

That’s awesome !

[@jonjonword6222]

Brilliant! Great work sir!

[@RathaSochenda]

😊

[@franciscomenendez6310]

Great job and this is going to definitely inspire people!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks. that’s the goal!

[@haiderafshan4887]

Good luck Ratha building your own accordingly to your needs..

[@sergiodjf]

Very nice design & build! Final result was impressive! Better than your average cargo basket💯👌

[@RathaSochenda]

Appreciate it!

[@roxifbabyyy]

Currently binge watching your videos

[@opawchicago2602]

Awesome job! Well done brother! 👍👍👍

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks brotha!

[@HOLOCULT]

Looks awesome!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks really appreciate it!👍

[@ElephantSoul]

Good work ❤❤

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks 🔥

[@adilettolongutov2328]

so precise work! thank you for great guide how to !!!

[@RathaSochenda]

Glad you like it!

[@Drusopp]

Bro, you are my hero! I bought my Rack 2nd handed Gobi. But I should have done what you did and built it myself. I did weld my own Back steel bumper from buying plate kit from Costal off road.

[@RathaSochenda]

🙏🏽

[@simonwoo5450]

This is beautiful!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks really appreciate ir

[@davidblood9882]

Excellent work!!!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@johnkruk6929]

Congratulations Ratha Sochendra you are great Mechanical Engineer. Top Job , you make it look so easy thank you for this demonstration of your skills loved your presentation .

[@RathaSochenda]

Appreciate it

[@deganni2688]

very impressive for a diy roof rack - well done

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks

[@Dutch1951x]

Sweet! Mines going to be similar on my Bronco. Thanks for the video.

[@RathaSochenda]

that's awesome! Glad the video helped!

[@mouafishing559]

Probably one of the best looking diy rack.

[@RathaSochenda]

😊

[@e-mastoras]

Well done bro!! Great job!! I'll make it for my forester

[@RathaSochenda]

Awesome!

[@michaelgarcia4479]

INCREDIBLE! great video! Such a good rack. I don't understand the 10 dislikes. This build was dope!

[@RathaSochenda]

I know right 😂🤙🏾

[@jonnyhalo1041]

Those dislikes are the ones that can not do this themselves. I for one agree to this being a great rack!

[@victormendoza590]

Great job man. Smart

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks!

[@georgemiron6033]

Great job

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks! And thank you for watching

[@bradgubanich8865]

Wow beautiful creation. Very inspiring. Sure helps having that software.

[@RathaSochenda]

🙏🏽

[@oneshotpete6.591]

Great job sir !!!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks!

[@mikebowhunter6029]

Nice work bruh

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks Mike!

[@osamade4602]

Thanks man for this amazing video. You inspired me to make a roof rack

[@RathaSochenda]

That's awesome. I'm glad it helped!

[@osamade4602]

@@RathaSochenda do you have Instagram?

[@RathaSochenda]

Yeah @ratha.sochenda

[@silentthunderbird3390]

nicely done!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thank you!

[@user-ei2nv6rk3d]

I'm also a mechanical engineer and about to go through the same process for our highlander. thank you for the inspo. We also use solidworks here.

[@RathaSochenda]

Nice!

[@emarquis87]

That was pretty damn impressive man

[@RathaSochenda]

thanks!

[@ShaneOMalle]

love this setup, id love to attempt this with a rack in front and tent platform in rear for my Armada. one, if not the cleanest customs ive seen.

[@RathaSochenda]

501 N 503 thanks so much.

[@Mrlnrsls]

Hella cool 😎 good job ! I wish I could build mine !

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks brotha!

[@LaremeFessler]

Dang dude! Nice Job!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks really appreciate!

[@aluldiam2926]

Awesome inspiratif

[@draganvidic8177]

Love it!!! Ur inspiring many projects here, I just gotta make a start! 😂

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks. Starting is the hardest part but you got this!

[@donkeyrider]

who ever gave thumbs down are jellies cause they cant do this nice job dude. AWESOME!

[@RathaSochenda]

Lol maybe. It’s all good. Glad you enjoy the video. Thanks for stopping by.

[@8151noname]

Well done, Nice Rack.

[@Justforfun-ek7et]

Very nice build! Looks better than factory made models.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thansk you for the kind feedback

[@jarrett2800]

Good job!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thomassvob1569]

Nice work

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks 🙏🏽

[@nyloncheng]

love the Sa'T

[@CarlosMartinez-xv5zd]

Man you can make alot of money selling them! Great job 👍.

[@day1fishing603]

Awesome

[@detectoraid5985]

Well narrated.

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoy it.

[@justinshilton5411]

very impressive!

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks 🙏🏽

[@jonnyhalo1041]

Dude that's a sick build I like the mesh top you used! Very nice sir

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks. I’m glad you like this one.

[@jonnyhalo1041]

@@RathaSochenda I do have only one question for you Ratha , do you know exactly how heavy that thing ended up?

[@RathaSochenda]

It’s about 80-100 lbs

[@jonnyhalo1041]

@@RathaSochenda not bad man and seems really durable to

[@RathaSochenda]

Yeah I beat it up and it’s held up so far. Just a couple of scuffs here and there but nothing that can’t be fix with a little paint.

[@michaelkleist9482]

👍awesome job

[@RathaSochenda]

Thanks!

[@likits1999]

Awesome build. I have something similar going on with my 01 Tacoma. I will epoxy primer it and do a satin black single stage or rhino liner for when I have to weld on brackes for my PIIAs all around. Even if it's a self build, it's expensive but it's made to fit your needs and the pride value counts too. Please show a video of your add ons!!!

[@yrigoyen0108]

Very nice, judging by the way that came out, you're more than capable of making the ladder.

[@RathaSochenda]

😊