Safe/smart to bolt roof tray/basket to 1 Gen Tacoma can roof?

[peripatew]

I'm looking at getting a simple roof basket to hold extras for long trips. I'll also use it to mount a kayak in the future. I don't plan on doing any crazy loads.

I've got a 2003 double cab Tacoma.

BUT, my problems is I don't have access to any pre-made roof attachments. I'm in a country where it's very expensive to import Yakima/Thule type equipment. But I can get a custom basket made very inexpensively. I'm a bit apprehensive to directly bolt something to the roof though.

Searching around there seems to be more information on 2nd gen mounting options.

Are there any reinforced areas in the top of the cab to bolt onto? There is the depressed area on top of the cab. Is this where the factory mount goes?

Should I do two feet per side, or three?

The last thing I want to do is screw up the top!

I thought some thin rubber padding under the feet, and generous amounts of silicone to weather proof it.

Thanks for any help! Let me know if I've forgotten some information that would be helpful!

 

[austintaco]

If you check on customtacos.com, there was some info about the double cabs that came with roof rails. There was a considerable amount of support under the ones that came with the factory roof mounts. I would source the yakima/thule stuff before I would bolt through the roof.

 

[peripatew]

If you check on customtacos.com, there was some info about the double cabs that came with roof rails. There was a considerable amount of support under the ones that came with the factory roof mounts. I would source the yakima/thule stuff before I would bolt through the roof.

I'll search over there. Mine unfortunately did not come with a factory rack . Feel free to post the threads if you are familiar with them.

 

[Taco04]

I think this is going to be a tuff one since the 1st gen Tacos don't have gutters on the roof. Have you thought about a bed rack that extends over the cab like some utility racks do? You could even build it so it has a couple of pads that rest on the roof for some extra support as well.

 

[peripatew]

I think this is going to be a tuff one since the 1st gen Tacos don't have gutters on the roof. Have you thought about a bed rack that extends over the cab like some utility racks do? You could even build it so it has a couple of pads that rest on the roof for some extra support as well.

Thanks. Unfortunately I have a motorized bedcover, so I don't have much flexibility with the bed, unless I want to build something that comes pretty far out from the bed. Which at this point I don't. Making the truck any wider makes things much more difficult in navigating the crazy traffic.

I've thought about ditching the bed cover, and getting a roll away that doesn't interfere with the bed rails. But, that would be probably more difficult to sell my bed cover and find a new one that wouldn't make it an expensive venture. I might have to import one from the US, in which case I'd be better off getting Yakima/Thule parts.

I like the bed cover, it adds a good layer of security for us here by having good storage.

 

[Taco04]

Gotcha I didn't think about that one. Do you have 4Runners in Cambodia? I have found where someone retrofitted a 4runner roof rack on a 1st gen Taco this looks like it would support more weight than the factory roof rack on my 1st gen...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-double-cab-roof-rack-lets-see-some-pics.183583/

 

[Mrknowitall]

There's a depression or channel that runs front to back on each side of the roof. That is where the roof panel and side stampings are joined. if you pull down the headliner, its pretty obvious. Since you say you can get fab work done inexpensively, I'd go that route. Use 3 feet per side, 3 small (M5ish) through bolts per side. Keep the design as low as possible.

 

[peripatew]

There's a depression or channel that runs front to back on each side of the roof. That is where the roof panel and side stampings are joined. if you pull down the headliner, its pretty obvious. Since you say you can get fab work done inexpensively, I'd go that route. Use 3 feet per side, 3 small (M5ish) through bolts per side. Keep the design as low as possible.

Is this depression only visible under the headliner? Or is it also the only visible depression from the outside? And 3 feet of? A steel trip that fits the width of this channel? How thick of steel for proper bracing? And just a step on the inside of the cab?

I've seen some hinge type mounting brackets that look easy to adapt and use for a low profile. My main concern is getting something structurally safe... Which is the reason for all the questions.

Cutting the snorkel hole was hard enough to prepare myself for, but at least that didn't have the potential to look into the cab!