Rooftop Tent on a first gen 4runner?

[xzen73x]

Hey, i'm newly registered on the forum, although i've been browsing for quite some time.

I'm looking to build my '89 4runner into the perfect overlanding vehicle, and i'm trying to see if anyone has ever seen a Rooftop Tent mounted to the fiberglass roof. I've thought of a couple concepts that MIGHT work (Obviously i would have to run it by someone who knows what the hell they're doing).

It seems like i would have to make some supports on the inside of the roof, maybe attached to the roll bar, i don't think that fiberglass can hold anything more than 150lbs.

Do you think it would be possible?

 

[Costman13]

X2 on the supports. I wouldn't trust it for too long. It may be okay for a while but after repeated use and bumpy roads, with the weight on top and no support, you would start seeing some serious damage to the fiberglass. It would be cool to do a cage inside with some tabs that bolt through into the roof (roof rack or RTT) that way the top can still come off in the summer. Just a thought.

 

[Jordan DeRoo]

Not sure if it was on here or on yota tech, but why not convert a flip-pac to fit. If I ever get the spare cash, I plan too. Probably will never happen but one can dream right.

 

[toyota_jon]

If you're going to go this route I'd make some internal supports that go through the roof. You could use the roll bar as well as using the horizontal bolts that hold the fiberglass on just behind the front seats.

 

[xzen73x]

Wouldn't the distance between the roll bar and the front of the roof be too much though? From the ones I've seen on second hen's, the roof rack bars are much closer, for internal weight distribution I suppose( I mean sleeping in the tent).

By the looks of things, I'll have to bolt supports up through the roof, and make tabs inside that bolt into the stock holes for the removeable roof? Some kind of triangle bracket on either side with a bar going across the middle, with the bars bolted through that, on the outside if the roof. If any of that makes sense, I can picture it perfect in my head. When I'm not on my phone, I'll draw up a diagram and post it to see what people think.

As for the flip-pac, I don't really like the look of it, it wouldn't suit my truck, although it is a really cool idea

 

[Exploresys]

Hello-
Another idea, ditch the stock top all together and build a stout frame with a soft top that would support the RTT.

 

[JasonRedwood]

Hello-
Another idea, ditch the stock top all together and build a stout frame with a soft top that would support the RTT.

x2
Maybe a maggiolina fabbed to a frame/softop with access from the interior

 

[Jordan DeRoo]

Hello-
Another idea, ditch the stock top all together and build a stout frame with a soft top that would support the RTT.

Sounds like a winning idea to me.

 

[xzen73x]

Wow I can't believe I didn't think if that, that would take away a nice chunk of weight off the back too...

I'm gonna seriously look into that, thanks!

 

[Seeker]

Can-back.com. had one of these on my Taco when I rolled it four times down a hill. Might be the only reason the cab didnt completely compress on me. Installed it on my replacement taco and had an RTT up there for a few years. Worked great. Their 4runner tops are supposed to be well regarded and can be fitted with their crossbars.

--Allen

 

[xzen73x]

I've looked at Can-back before, but I didn't realize that it had that nice of a frame inside. With a little bit of reinforcement, that would be perfect. I would just have to find a way to run bolts through the canvas to mount the roof racks to, so that it won't leak.

I can't seem to find any pics, does it use the rear window? Or is it a roll-down piece.


Also, just curious, but has anyone used the stock hardtop to mount a RTT to?

 

[JasonRedwood]

You could just a the gutter mount roof rack system with the can-back soft top. Then mount the RTT to the crossbars. No leaks.

 

[xzen73x]

You could just a the gutter mount roof rack system with the can-back soft top. Then mount the RTT to the crossbars. No leaks.

I think you missed a word.

Unless there are gutters attached to the can-back on the outside that I can't see

 

[toyota_jon]

Here's a pic of what he's talking about. The canback can be fitted with a rack from them.

 

[xzen73x]

Here's a pic of what he's talking about. The canback can be fitted with a rack from them.

OH that makes sense. That looks great! I know what I'm doing now. Using the hardtop is gonna be way too much work